Oral Maths Quizzes in Year 4.

[TheLovelyBoots]

My son is in year 4 and has a weekly maths quiz, which he and I both like - it's good reinforcement. But it's always oral, and he sometimes says he's been confused by the question for not having seen it in writing or he'll maintain that he answered the question correctly and is upset that he's missed it. The quizzes don't come home, per school policy (they want to avoid having to re-write them every year).

I certainly don't think that the teacher is reading out the questions incorrectly, but rather that this is a good reason to avoid oral math quizzes.

Is there some virtue of oral exams that I'm overlooking? Is this unusual in year 4?

My son is not struggling in maths, doing well, no other issues.

Thanks.

We have to do maths without writing it down every day in our ordinary lives, often without realising it, so yes, it is a vital skill.

At DS's school they call it 'mental maths' which always amuses me. But yes there are benefits in having to think on your feet, as it were, about numbers.

I can agree that it's an important skill. Nonetheless it is an unusual format for a weekly quiz - or is it not? My eldest says he's never had one (same school).

My son has them too. I think that they are great in terms Of a brain workout and real life application of maths. I suspect schools do iton preparation of y6 SATs.

I think it's a bit different from mental maths (as I understand it). They've been drilled orally on number bonds, times tables and similar which is as it should be (IMO) but the quizzes are covering things like word money problems and perimeters.

My dc do them at school as well. I agree that it's a good way of transferring maths skills to the real world where we quite often have to think about problems without having to use pen and paper. Last year we were given sample sheets so we could help our children with the format. Maybe you could suggest that you are given something similar.

Thanks everyone - really appreciate your input. I aim to never approach teachers with issues before first canvassing the education boards - in this case, I will accept your view that they're good. Good idea to do them at home, sleepytea

He'll get better the more he does them. Agree it's a great skill to learn. One main problem children have is still trying to work out Q2 while teacher is reading out Q3.

From May 2016, the mental maths in SATS will be replaced by an arithmetic test. However, listening skills are vital right across the curriculum.

I have 4 dc and not aware of them doing any such tests. Sounds quite a good way

I'm not convinced that less assertive children are willing to put their hand up and press for a repeat if they haven't heard it properly (I don't think my son is crazy about it). Again, something that kids must learn, but year 4 seems early.

I think the flip side is that for some children (my DD would be an example) who have slow visual processing ability the oral test allows them to show their true ability.
On this basis once a week oral maths test combined with other written work allows the teacher to assess all the children's true ability and potential in the subject.

Surely others likewise have slow audio processing, for example I find it easier to process information visually. I accept that oral exams are valuable for reasons that people have pointed out to me, but I don't think it's a more accurate assessment.

Yes other do have slow auditory processing by doing written and oral across the week all children getting to show their true biliary.

Well, my issue is that their weekly quiz is always oral. I have a stack of them on my desk at the moment.

Not sure if someone has said this but at KS2 SATs in year 6 there will be an oral mental maths test - I think a CD is played and children have to answer the questions.

This weekly practice is as much about preparing them for that style of testing as it is about any concern over their 'mental maths' skills (by which I mean their ability to do maths in their head - either after reading a problem or hearing one).

Both my kids do mental maths tests every Friday morning. The test is usually a recording in which the kids have 10 seconds to answer each question (except for the last 3 where they have slightly longer).