NEM 2(and NEM1) Revision woes What would you do?

[Kendall]

My 2nd son just completed the Revision 1A in the NEM 2 book. It took him a long time (probably close to 2 hours total in 2 sessions-he insists he was using his time well, but…) He missed 3 questions. So he didn't do too badly.

Do you have your children do all of the revisions. How long does it take them? Should I make up an easier test and give him only an hour, and just assign a few of the revisions?

Can you think of other options? I just don’t want to spend 2 days per revision. Or 1 day plus an hour of homework. Should he be able to do this faster? Is slowness a sign that he doesn’t know it that well?(I tend to think so) I have told him to come to me if it is taking a long time so that I can assess his progress and the reason for the slowness, but he insists that he isn’t having trouble and doesn’t need help.

BTW, these revisions have typically not been done quickly by either of my boys.

Thanks,
Kendall

[LizzyBee]

I don't think that's unusual. My dd took a long time to do the revisions in NEM 1, too.

[Nan in Mass]

But I think they are important. For my children, they are an important part of what makes Singapore work. Without them, they wouldn't get enough practice. Singapore expects the child to be able to put all the pieces together and use them like a toolbox to solve more general problems. This takes considerable practice. I try to do the first revision together to make sure they remember the concepts (thinking that at school, the teacher would review for them), and then have them do the other revisions alone. I make sure I correct one revision with them before I let them do the next, so they get to practise what they need work in. I don't use the revisions as tests.
HTH
-Nan

[dirty ethel rackham]

I think the revisions are essential. Theyhelp build mastery. I have had my son break them up into 2 days because he found them so overwhelming at first.

[Trina in TX]

and I did break them up over two days. The problems take a long time to solve, and a lot of them have multiple questions to answer per problem. I think the review is very important, and we usually do the first 3 one after the other. I am going to schedule 1D and 1E a couple of weeks from now to refresh his memory. Doing all of them, 1A through 1E, one right after another is tedious for him.

HTH,

Trina

[Nan in Mass]

Now that is a good idea - saving D and E for later practice!

[Kendall]

Thank you so much everyone. You all said what I needed to hear. I am going to keep him closer and try to make sure he is working steadily and then not worry about the amount of time. I'm going to have him do all of the revisions and also going to save D and E. I think it is nearing the end of the year and the end of my pregnancy and I'm subconsiously wanting the easy way out of everything. LOL!

[Nan in Mass]

Sympathize. If there were an easy way out of NEM, I would have found it years ago. Sigh. No way out but through, though, unless you are brilliant.

[kpupg]

We have found that ALL of NEM is time-consuming. We break up problem sets and do only half the problems, or take a couple-three days to complete a set. The revisions are way long! Definitely break them up, or only do half of the problems, or whatever. I often use the revision sets as my source for exams, too.
Karen