tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535845931584340826.post2772535817934319137..comments2023-10-25T04:57:49.062-07:00Comments on Bending the Twigs: Does the "80% Commandment" Hold True in a Homeschool Setting?Crimson Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03254830856234479999noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535845931584340826.post-76449994388059735022008-12-05T14:00:00.000-08:002008-12-05T14:00:00.000-08:00I've heard the 80% number before in different cont...I've heard the 80% number before in different contexts. Maybe those show how you can use it.<BR/><BR/>In the Pimsleur self-education method for learning foreign languages, you are supposed to go to the next step when you get 80% of the review questions right. At that point, you will master more material by going to the next step than by attempting to achieve perfection on that step. You have, however, mastered that step well enough to use it to build on. <BR/><BR/>It is said that "the first 80% of the work requires 20% of the effort. The last 20% of the work requires 80% of the effort." So if the effort to get the first 80% is too great, you don't want to try the last 20% (if you have the option), due to the potential for extreme frustration. <BR/><BR/>I have two suggestions. If your child is a perfectionist and is getting 80% or more correct, the child has learned the material sufficiently to use it. That might mean that you should be working on the difficult last 20% and that would be the stretch for your child. <BR/><BR/>If your child is content with his or her knowledge and yet is getting less than 80% correct, you will need to plan a review for that material in the near future. In the case of math, you may need to examine his or her work for computational mistakes (rather than conceptual mistakes) that are bringing down the average.<BR/><BR/>This is all theory. I haven't tried to figure out correctness when teaching my child.Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11617762959361017043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535845931584340826.post-28886229422135527542008-12-05T09:52:00.000-08:002008-12-05T09:52:00.000-08:00I think that entire notion is flawed as it is appl...I think that entire notion is flawed as it is applied to a class of kids in school. I question the entire theory.<BR/><BR/>In a class if a student needs help and is not getting a concept early in the class/lesson they may tune out and turn off, close down their thinking and just shut down. Yet that child didn't reach the 80% point yet, if the issue arises in the first moments of the lesson.<BR/><BR/>Not being able to get immediate extra help or clarification in a class can further frustrate kids. Not only is the teacher not always able to help every kid immediately due to the nature of the lesson or teacher:student ratio (they can't stop at every single point to help every student, sometimes help is given at the end of the lesson). Sometimes the lesson will explain more if the child just sits and listens through to the end. But some shut down before that out of frustration.<BR/><BR/>I think a lot has to do with personality, temperament, the child's standards for themselves (high expections of themselves and they get mad at themselves if learning doesn't come easy). That all applies to HS kids too.<BR/><BR/>Kids in a class also have a group dynamic going on, those who want to save face by not asking a question, and so forth. They may not get a concept but won't ask about it.<BR/><BR/>I think that the sheer boredom of school work causes acting out. As does the decrease in recess time and other breaks from the doldrum routine.ChristineMMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17388497877158577422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535845931584340826.post-10539557225852297272008-12-05T07:48:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:48:00.000-08:00With one-on-one tutoring students may be able to l...With one-on-one tutoring students may be able to learn when the student can only complete a smaller amount, like 60% or 70%. But in general I think students do better when they are being stretched in little baby steps, rather than having to struggle to understand a lot of new material all at once.Henry Catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03097237237859928969noreply@blogger.com