Doc Rainey 'Quick Tests' and 'Kiwi Maths'
Frequently Asked Questions
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Doc Rainey 'Quick Tests' and 'Kiwi Maths' Frequently Asked Questions |
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'Quick Tests' FAQ link to teachers resource page About the tests: The 'Quick Tests' can give either a BROAD or DETAILED analysis of a student's performance in a test of basic fact knowledge in areas such as in areas such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or mixed facts. The one requires a 1-minute test and the other 5 minutes. In both cases students are told to go as fast as they can without making mistakes. They are also told to omit items they are not sure of rather than guess. What does the 1 minute test DO? The short-form test provides a measure of general accuracy but more importantly gives a combined measure of accuracy and speed through 'Accurate Facts per Minute' (AFPM). For initial screening and for some other purposes this may be all the information that is required. What does the 5-minute test do? The full test gives a detailed breakdown and in particular indicates where a student needs to work or improve. What are 'AFPM' measures useful for? Accurate Facts per Minute results show where students are 'at' in respect of accuracy and speed. Together with the accuracy-analysis measures they are particularly useful as baseline measures and for monitoring student progress in respect of the broad curriculum goal of 'instant recall'. AFPM is a no-nonsense 'productivity' measure which combines a measure of speed and accuracy -both of which are useless without the other. Should I get my students to select one-minute or five-minute tests? One-minute tests may serve your purpose. Try them and see. By all means use the 5-minute tests if you want a precise idea of where students may need to work. This might be on particular tables or it might be on speed, if they are slow. What comes into INTERPRETATION of AFPM results? A true consideration of individual results must take many things into account such as age, learning stage (Level 1, 2, 3...), confidence and attitude - as well as factors in the present and past school and home environment. For this reason, the student's teacher is best placed to interpret the results, possibly request further testing, and plan new learning. Many of my kids show up as both slow and with accuracy problems. What can I do? Teachers reviewing results are expected to determine class & individual needs & use approved and effective methods to set goals and try to meet them. Optionally, Doc.Rainey 'Kiwi Maths' methods and workbooks may be used remedially with individual children and/or to raise whole class levels.
How do AFPM scores relate to 'Time per Fact'?
Are the one-minute tests suitable also as practical memorisation exercises for students? No. There are better exercises for this purpose, for example those called 'Kiwi Maths'.
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'Kiwi Maths' FAQ Are 'Kiwi Maths' workbooks of any use to students who do well on tests? Definitely yes! They particularly suit kids who are average or above who are keen to do better and for all who want to get to a level of excellence. Such students can lift AFPM scores of 20 or 30 to above the 40, 50 or even 60 mark.
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workbooks are there and what do they cost? Cost is just $6.50 each
(lower where schools order in quantity). Titles are: My 11-year old got 20 AFPM for multiplication and 'needed much work' in his 7 and 8 times tables. Would the 'Harder Tables' book be best for him? At only 20 AFPM he could well work on speed, so the Easier Tables book would be ideal to start with - then the Harder. My students need to work both on multiplication and division. Should they focus first on multiplication? They can well do multiplication and division together. For example, work on activities for the 7 times table one day and divide by 7 on the next, repeating that pattern for several days until a good level is reached. Where are Kiwi Maths workbooks obtained? Schools see kiwimaths_teachers.htm |