How to Accelerate Your Child's Performance on the CMT

The purpose of this article is to give parents a guide on where to find out what their child should know and be able to do. By accessing the state standards for curriculum parents will know specifically what their child should know and do at each grade level. By having this information parents can work ahead with their to accelerate their child's performance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Grade level workbooks on the CMT curriculum performance standards for reading and math k-8.

1. Go to the website :http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&Q=320954&sdenav_gid=1757 and review the curriculum standards for mathematics and literacy. That will be the focus of this article. You may also be interested in knowing what your child should be learning about in the other areas.

2. First go to the literacy link. Save the document to your computer enlarge it and read what your child should be able to do on grade level.
   
   Do the same for the mathematics link.

3. Go out and purchase materials from the bookstore or a website to teach the skills that are listed. Sometimes teachers have materials that they can give you for free. Goodwill stores and the Salvation Army as well as tag sales can also be good resources. Many libraries have discards for free as well.

4. Make sure that your child can perform the skill that are spelled out their grade level and then start accelerating... working with your child up to their point of frustration.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow for frustration. Work up to it and then back off to a more comfortable level. Each time you should be able to go a little further until you are past the frustration zone.
• Patience is a virtue!!
• Kids do not always work well with their parents on "school" work
• Find someone else who can help you meet your goals...provide the materials and set the expectations
• Know when to pass the ball and keep your expectations realistic, consistent, and fair.