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Y4 son-what to do?!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:38 pm
by Manana
We live within catchment of the Southend grammars and I was wondering what our best 'next steps' are. DS's teacher says he is currently Level 4 in most things now and he would expect him to pass the 11+ if he continues on the same track and DS is keen to do so. We've been doing BOND verbal reasoning for a couple of years and has recently started doing the maths/english. Apart from the usual 'read the question properly' and 'check your work' he's enjoying them and coping fine. I have only been doing these as that is what my parents got me and my sisters to do before we took the 11+, but reading this forum-I don't think Bond covers everything needed for the VR section.

Can anyone recommend anything else? I like the fact that Bond books cater for younger children, ie the 8-9 second papers. Do other books/papers do this or are they like trying an actual 11+ paper as I think this might scare him now!

I would very much appreciate any kind words of wisdom fro those who have been through the system recently!

Re: Y4 son-what to do?!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:58 pm
by Beansmum
Susan Daughtrey covers the whole range of VR type questions, there are 4 books covering the types and a couple of practice books.
Let him read interesting newspaper articles (or read them with him so you can ask questions as you go along); increase his vocabulary, and do ensure he knows what the words mean, as well as encouraging him to read widely - and I don't necessarily mean Dickens and Hardy, but Captain Underpants isn't really enough; try encouraging a few non-fiction books. Whatever he reads remember it isn't the reading of it that is important, most important of all is the understanding! and the wider the type of book he reads, the greater breadth of story type and vocabulary he will accrue.
Good Luck!

Re: Y4 son-what to do?!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:42 pm
by Fran17
Hi Teachermum76

My son's school encouraged the children to read the abridged versions of the classics, then if by chance one came up in the eleven plus, at least the children would have an understanding of what the book was about. We also used the Susan Daughtrey books and found them very helpful. :D :D

Re: Y4 son-what to do?!

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:42 pm
by moved
I think that Bond is fine for his age. From about January of year 5 you can move on to the commercial VR papers. Walsh make VR papers for age 9-10 that more closely follow the format and are available in multiple choice.

Re: Y4 son-what to do?!

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:47 pm
by Manana
Wow-thank you!

Would you recommend these as next steps for half way through Y4?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Verbal-Reasonin ... 553&sr=8-3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or is that not the 'Bright Sparks' series?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0955 ... ROKL5A1OLE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Someone has mentioned the 'Tutors' series-who is that published by?

Is Bond adequate for the Maths/English?

Many many thanks!!

Re: Y4 son-what to do?!

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:52 pm
by moved
Your second link takes you to the Walsh papers. I haven't really used the papers from the first link as they cover many different types from the actual exam and you may as well stick to Bond.

Maths and English with Bond/Letts at this level is fine.

The Tutors papers are available along with many others here:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/epapers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Y4 son-what to do?!

Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:39 pm
by Manana
Thank you so much-that's brilliant advice. Is the Letts maths particularly different to the Bond, or are they much of a much?

Can I ask what you would move on to after the 11+ Maths Bond-start looking at past papers from the CSSE? What about English/comprehension?

Goodness, this feels like being back at university!!