TAKS 4th Grade Mathematics: How to Prepare

How to Help Your 4th Grader Prepare for the TAKS

The Content

Before your child can begin preparing for the TAKS, it will help to know what he or she will be assessed on. Your first stop should be the Texas Education Agency's website. Here, you can find information about the types of questions that will be asked, as well as study guides and practice exams. The questions are based on Texas' learning standards, called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, which can also be found on the website.

Most of the questions on the 4th grade TAKS are multiple choice, but there are a few short answer questions where your child will have to write his or her answer on a grid. There are six objectives that your child will be tested on, which include multiplying with decimals, identifying patterns, calculating the perimeter of a shape and solving real-world math problems.

Practice Tests

After you've gone over the content with your child, the next step is to administer a practice test. Practice tests can be helpful because they allow you to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, they help your child become accustomed to the types of questions he or she will be expected to answer on the actual test.

When administering the test at home, create a calm and relaxed test-taking environment that's removed from all distractions. You may even want to put a time limit on the practice exam. This is a fantastic opportunity to teach your child some test-taking techniques, such as process of elimination.

Games and Activities

When you've identified what areas your child needs help with, you can provide fun games and activities to help him or her review. Preparing for tests can be stressful for students. Games and activities may help your child to relax and concentrate on learning the concept, rather than scoring well on the test.

Many websites, such as FunBrain.com, offer free math games that your 4th grader may enjoy. Alternatively, you can create games yourself. For instance, write math problems on one set of index cards and the answers on a separate set of cards. Flip the cards over on a table and play a game of Memory, where you and your child will try to match the problems with the answers.