Julie Bosman has a wonderful article in the Times today, Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children. Apparently younger and younger children are reading chapter books. Bosman cites Pushy Parents as one reason for the trend: Some parents say they just want to advance their children’s skills. <One parent> said her youngest son, Laurence, started … Continue reading Little Kids are Too Sophisticated for Picture Books
ERB: The Great ERB Test / Test Prep Debate
Yesterday I received an irate email from a prominent Manhattan tester. She disapproves of my blogging about the Stanford-Binet and other test prep books now available. Here's how I see it: I am against private and public schools using so-called "intelligence" tests to determine which four-year-olds are worthy of admission. Some children go through their … Continue reading ERB: The Great ERB Test / Test Prep Debate
Applying to Hunter College Elementary School? Taking the Stanford-Binet Exam?
Hot off the press! Hunter College Elementary School requires that kindergarten applicants take the Stanford-Binet exam as their first step in the admissions process. For the first time, a commercial company, Bright Kids NYC, has published a Stanford-Binet test prep workbook. The cat is out of the bag. Stanford-Binet Workbook (Bright Kids NYC)
Bestselling Learn-to-Read Phonics Books / Readers
Eager to help your child learn to read? These are the phonics books and readers that parents we know are using to help their young children improve their reading skills: Bob Books Set 1 Bob Books Set 2 Explode the Code 1 Explode the Code 2 Little Bear Boxed Set Richard Scarry's Best ABC Video … Continue reading Bestselling Learn-to-Read Phonics Books / Readers
Bracken: Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) Test Prep Book Now Available on Amazon
Today test prep company Bright Kids released its new Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) test prep workbook on Amazon. A lot of folks have been seeking help with the Bracken since it is one of the tests the Department of Education (DoE) currently uses to assess giftedness. Luckily now there are two workbooks available. To … Continue reading Bracken: Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) Test Prep Book Now Available on Amazon
OLSAT, ERB, Stanford-Binet Workbooks all Available
Bright Kids NYC is your one-stop shop for test prep workbooks for the OLSAT, ERB, and Stanford-Binet. The company has expanded its test prep workbook line on Amazon. Check out what's now available. These workbooks are selling like hotcakes. OLSAT and Stanford-Binet (OLSAT is for G & T, Stanford-Binet is for Hunter Elementary) OLSAT Practice … Continue reading OLSAT, ERB, Stanford-Binet Workbooks all Available
Bestselling Recommended Kindergarten Readiness Books, Toys, and Videos
To help you assemble your library and toy box, here are Abacus Guide's recommended books, toys, and videos that parents preparing their kids for kindergarten entry in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Riverdale, and Westchester are buying now: Magna-Tiles Translucent Colors Click Magazine Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten Richard … Continue reading Bestselling Recommended Kindergarten Readiness Books, Toys, and Videos
OLSAT Test Prep: Bestselling NYC Public Schools Admissions, OLSAT, and Bracken Test Prep Books
Right now, the Department of Education (DOE) uses the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) and the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) to assess giftedness. Thanks to widespread prepping, that system may change. According to The New York Times, Mr. Sternberg said the city would soon request proposals for “a different kind of test” for 2012 “that … Continue reading OLSAT Test Prep: Bestselling NYC Public Schools Admissions, OLSAT, and Bracken Test Prep Books
NYC Kindergarten and ERB: Bestselling ERB Test Prep and NYC Private Schools Admissions Books
To help you assemble your library, here are the books that parents applying to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Riverdale private schools are buying now: ERB Test Prep Workbooks and Guides: Aristotle Circle ERB Test Prep Workbook Bright Kids ERB Test Prep Workbook Private Schools Guidebooks: Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools and Selective Public Schools Manhattan … Continue reading NYC Kindergarten and ERB: Bestselling ERB Test Prep and NYC Private Schools Admissions Books
The Debate Over How to Identify Gifted Preschoolers in the Age of Test Prep
The New York Times today offers experts' views on how best to identify giftedness in young children. As someone who has read exhaustively on this topic, I was much impressed by Clara Hemphill's clear-headed take. Hemphill is the founding editor of Insideschools.org and the author of New York City's Best Public Elementary Schools.