Urgent entrance test help needed (not public school)

[LaLaLaLayla]

Hi everyone, we live in Dubai where the schools are very over-subscribed. Our son has an interview on Monday; he will also have an entrance test. There are 60 children going for one place, so not only do I have to ensure that he is as charming as he can possibly be, but I also need to ensure that he is up to speed academically.

For Maths, he can add up quite large numbers, but always uses either a number line, counters or rods & cubes. It is possible that he may have to use his fingers for the test. How do you add up 3 + 8 on your fingers, for instance? Can anybody advise?

His reading is fine, but what should I get him to practice in terms of writing?

Also, if anybody has any advice for us at all, I would be really grateful. I am desperate to get my son into school.

Thanks,

LLLL x

Thanks mrz but my query was about method rather than what he should know. I am confident that he is bright enough, I am just concerned that he will not be able to use the tools we use (number line, counters, etc) hence my request for instructions on how children are taught to use their fingers in addition and subtraction.

The Ministry sprung this new rule on us, and yes it has no logical basis, but that is just part and parcel of living in Dubai. As for the other 60 applicants, I am assuming that a fair few will have registered their DC at lots of different schools, so the waiting list should dwindle in the weeks leading up to the new term.

Thanks for all your responses; I am very grateful.

Subtraction is the reverse of addition. Put the biggest number in your head (say it) and count down using your fingers putting a finger down as you say the number. 17 in your head put up 9 fingers (say 17) 16,15,14 .... 8

Really helpful - thanks very much.

In your original post you asked about writing

Those are the things I would be looking for him to be able to do in his writing which really doesn't give you lots of time to practise

Suggest practising a three sentence type story beginning middle and end retell his favourite story

Addition put the smallest number of fingers up and count on from the largest number

Subtraction put the smallest number of fingers up and count back from the largest number

Those are the things I would be looking for him to be able to do in his writing which really doesn't give you lots of time to practise. Suggest practising a three sentence type story beginning middle and end retell his favourite story

Thanks. I am reassured by this as he can do these things.

Subtraction put the smallest number of fingers up and count back from the largest number

So, for example...

8 - 3 =

Take the biggest number and put it in your head. Take the smaller number and hold up the corresponding number of fingers. Count back. So, "7, 6, 5". The answer is 5. Have I explained that properly? (This is how I intend to explain it to my DS this afternoon. Please feel free to comment if there is a better way of explaining it).

Thanks again.

yes exactly

He got in!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He sat the entrance exam this morning, and was offered a place on the spot. They said he was very bright [translation: heavily tutored by Mum]. Either way, we're thrilled to bits.

Thanks everyone for your help and good advice, I love Mumsnet

Congratulations! and well done your son!

Thanks mrz, your advice was invaluable

Well done LaLaLa and son! So he will go into Year 1? I hope that he's really happy there :-)

He will go into Year 1, even though he should be in Year 2 for his age. I am not sure if I mentioned this in any of my previous posts, but the Dubai Education Ministry do not recognise homeschooling, so he has to go into the year above the year he was in when he was last in school.