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You are here:Home > OLSAT® (Otis-Lennon) > Grade K
Are you looking for material to prepare your Kindergarten age child to take the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test® (OLSAT®) Level A?  You've come to the right place.    I explain why I recommend the titles I do immediately below.  If you want to get straight to the recommendations scroll down. 
 
The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test® is a multiple-choice test.  The children indicate their answers by shading a bubble underneath the picture they choose on the question paper (they don't fill in the scantron form).  There is no reading.  The test proctor reads the instructions, questions and answers once only.  Listening is very important.  For the OLSAT® you want to expose your children to verbal, aural, arithmetic, pictorial and figural reasoning activities.  The Building Thinking Skills series is a great place to start for verbal and figural reasoning.  Add to that Can You Find Me? for pictorial and aural reasoning and Mathematical Reasoning for arithmetic reasoning and you're well placed.  The LUK Learning System adds another dimension introducing independent learning and concentration building activities.

Building Thinking Skills Primary was designed for the typical child in Gr K-1.  It's a good place to start browsing but, depending in part on the time of year that you are looking, your child may be ready for the next level in this series.  Ignore the writing activies in Building Thinking Skills Primary.  Your child can just tell you the answers.  The book is designed to be used with manipulative blocks which are sold separately.  Without blocks you won't be able to do about 1/4 of the exercises.  You could trace the attribute block shapes out of cardboard instead of purchasing the plastic blocks I sell.  You could do the same for the interlocking cubes but I strongly recommend that you purchase these.  The interlocking cubes easily lead themselves to extension activities in developing more complex sequences (in addition to color each block has a geometric shape cut out which can add another dimension to sequencing) and understanding orientation and constancy of area and volume.   Young children learn through play so even though actual blocks won't be used in testing playing with them is an important way for many children to learn some of the skills needed. 

Your gifted child may be ready for Level 1 of Building Thinking Skills (for the typical child in Gr 2-3).  As with the Primary level don't expect written answers at this stage.  Scribe for them, allow them to just tell you the answer or choose the software.  Finally if your child needs more practice with non-verbal reasoning Hands on Thinking Skills contains additional activities in this area.

Can You Find Me? is a great choice to use for listening and reasoning.  For testing it will be important that your child stays focused and listens to the instructions, questions and answer options.  You have a choice of levels.  If in doubt I recommend beginning with Can You Find Me? Pre K.  This is one series where it doesn't hurt to begin easy.  Having the patience to listen carefully to what appear to be easy questions and thereby avoid making a silly mistake is an important skill for young children to develop before testing.  Some gifted children don't do as well in screening tests, like the OLSAT®, as they could because they are impatient and don't listen to the entire question before choosing their answer.  Another common problem is to look for a more complex pattern or relationship than is intended by the questioner.  Using both the Pre K and K levels of Can You Find Me? can help build both these skills within the context of the cognitive skills the OLSAT® tests for.

If you want just one book I can't offer anything that covers the entire skill set tested for in the OLSAT® but recommend that you choose between Building Thinking Skills Level 1 and Can You Find Me? K-1  The best one for you will depend on your child and what they do and don't know already.

While there is no math per se in the OLSAT® questions on arithmetic reasoning are included at this level.  As an illustration a question might ask the child to identify the picture of flower with two more flowers than the first picture.  The Mathematical Reasoning series has more math that you'll need but it develops this type of reasoning skill.  Your gifted child is probably ready for Level B in this series.  Again I recommend looking at the sample pages and trying the activites with your child.  If they look too difficult then start with Mathematical Reasoning A.
 
Math Analogies is another good choice for both arithmetic reasoning and verbal and figural reasoning.  It uses pictures and numbers to present analogies and the user has to complete analogy pairs.
 
As with traditional mathematics conventional Language-Arts including topics like reading and grammar are not explictly tested for in the OLSAT®.  If your child has English as a second language, or speaks a second language at home, or if you just want to give them a solid grounding in word analysis then Language Smarts is another possibility.  This title is, as one would expect, heavy on traditional language-arts activities but it integrates thinking skills into the material so your child will be exposed to the type of reasoning tested for on the OLSAT as they brush up on vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing.

If you have some time the K-1 book bundle offers a selection of the titles recommended and others utilizing the skills in different contexts (only titles published by The Critical Thinking Company are included in this bundle).   If you decide to purchase this bundle I strongly recommend adding Building Thinking Skills Level 1 software or book.  If your child learns rapidly and doesn't need much repetition you'd probably be better to pick and choose titles than opt for the entire bundle.
 
The final title in the list of recommendations below is the Spectrum Test Prep book for Gr 1-2.  This series was designed to prepare children for conventional standardized tests of reading and math.   Despite the difference in focus from the OLSAT® there are a number of questions in this book that are similar in content and format to those on the OLSAT®.  In addition practice listening and shading bubbles is very important for some children.  There will be problems in this book that will be difficult even for a bright Kindergarten child but I'm not aware of anything like this designed for younger children.  Remember as you use this book that your child will not see any words when they take the test.  If your child is reading it will be important for you to cover the words and only let them see the pictures as they listen to your instructions so that they can practice focused listening.
 
If you are in New York your child will be taking the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) in addition to the OLSAT®.  Mathematical Reasoning, Language Smarts  and Can You Find Me?  are great choices for this.  If you read more about the BSRA you'll see that our recommendations there are very similar to those for the OLSAT®.  The range of products sold here was chosen because of their ability to build thinking skills.  The fundamental concepts that the BSRA tests for are integrated into the thinking skills activities included in the various products. 
 
OLSAT® and Otis-Lennon School Ability Test® are registered trademarks of NCS Pearson.  The recommendations made here are those of Think Tonight and are not endorsed by NCS Pearson.
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Teach Your Kids to Think Teach Your Kids to Think

For parents of children of all ages
Pages: 108
Author: Maria Fisk

Suggestions and tools to help parents teach their children how to think wisely and well during the time they already spend together.

Our Price: $14.95
Thinking Skills for Tests Thinking Skills for Tests Set

Grade(s): Pre K-2
Pages: 120 (two books with 60 pages each)

Nine core thinking skills form the base of verbal and non-verbal reasoning and logic and are commonly tested in primary level testing for school and gifted program placement. This title presents questions in a format similar to that of many commonly used tests. The Workbook presents the questions without words just as a student will see them during a test. The Instructor/Answer book provides a script for presenting the questions and additional information for building on the skills.

Our Price: $22.98
miniLUK Combo Set miniLUK Combo Set with Controller

Age: 5-7 years
Activities: 2352

MiniLUK is a complete intellectual development system to reinforce early childhood developmental skills such as visual perception, memory and concentration, critical thinking, beginning math, fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, self-esteem, and everyday knowledge. We will beat any competitor price on this item by 5%.

List Price: $119.00
Our Price: $114.99
You save $4.01!
Building Thinking Skills Primary Building Thinking Skills Primary

Grade(s): K-1
Activities: 435
Pages: 272

Building Thinking Skills® provides highly effective verbal and nonverbal reasoning activities to improve children's vocabulary, reading, writing, math, logic, and figural-spatial skills, as well as their visual and auditory processing. This exceptional series provides a solid foundation for academic excellence and success on any assessment test.

Requires manipulative blocks sold separately. Purchase of the accompanying Instruction and Answer Guide highly recommended.

Our Price: $26.99
Building Thinking Skills Primary Building Thinking Skills Primary Complete Set

Grade(s): K-1
Pages: 272

Building Thinking Skills® provides highly effective verbal and nonverbal reasoning activities to improve children's vocabulary, reading, writing, math, logic, and figural-spatial skills, as well as their visual and auditory processing. This exceptional series provides a solid foundation for academic excellence and success on any assessment test.

This set contains the student workbook, Teacher's Manual pdf file on cd and two types of manipulative blocks used to complete workbook problems.

List Price: $90.96
Our Price: $81.86
You save $9.10!
Can You Find Me K-1 Can You Find Me K-1

Grade(s): K-1
Activities: 80
Pages: 101

Can You Find Me? develops skills in reading readiness, science, math, and social studies using five basic thinking skills: similarities and differences, sequences, classifications, analogies, and logic. Each riddle requires identification of two or more clues to deduce the answer. Activities may be enhanced by teaching additional information about the animals, objects, shapes, letters, and numbers used in the riddles.

Our Price: $16.99
Math Analogies Beginning Math Analogies Beginning

Grade(s): K-1
Activities: 48
Pages: 42

Understanding analogies and the ability to reason analogically are important problem-solving skills. There are few resources to assist children in the explict use of analogous reasoning with quantitative and spatial information. This series fills that void.

Our Price: $11.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Core Concepts (Kindergarten)

Grade(s): K
Pages: 272

This book uses powerful lessons to develop thinking skills important to academic success while teaching the key kindergarten common core concepts. Enhance cognitive development through discussion and observation. Students develop analytical skills as well as deductive and inferential reasoning skills as they work through the exercises.

Our Price: $21.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Core Concepts: Teacher's Manual (Kindergarten)

Grade(s): K
Pages: 173

Teacher's Manual to accompany student book. Does not contain questions. The student book can be used with a free, downloadable, answer PDF (included with purchase of the student book) or with this detailed teacher’s manual which can be purchased separately.

Our Price: $22.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Key Concepts (Kindergarten)

Grade(s): K
Pages: 272

This book uses powerful lessons to develop thinking skills important to academic success while teaching the key kindergarten common core concepts. Enhance cognitive development through discussion and observation. Students develop analytical skills as well as deductive and inferential reasoning skills as they work through the exercises.

Our Price: $21.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Key Concepts: Teacher's Manual (Kindergarten)

Grade(s): K
Pages: 173

Teacher's Manual to accompany student book. Does not contain questions. The student book can be used with a free, downloadable, answer PDF (included with purchase of the student book) or with this detailed teacher’s manual which can be purchased separately.

Our Price: $22.99
Spectrum Test Prep Grade 1 Spectrum Test Prep Grade 1

Boosts confidence and helps learners improve test scores by offering children the preparation they need for standardized tests.

Our Price: $9.99
Mathematical Reasoning Level B Mathematical Reasoning Level B

Grade(s): 1
Pages: 272

Age appropriate problem solving and computation build the math reasoning skills necessary for success in higher level math and math assessments. Complete math curriculum for the typical first grade child. Bright children can use this title at a younger age.

Our Price: $39.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Key Concepts (First Grade)

Grade: 1
Pages: 272

This book uses powerful lessons to develop thinking skills important to academic success while teaching the key kindergarten common core concepts. Enhance cognitive development through discussion and observation. Students develop analytical skills as well as deductive and inferential reasoning skills as they work through the exercises.

Our Price: $21.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Key Concepts: Teacher's Manual (First Grade)

Grade: 1
Pages: 209
Format: paperback, reproducible

Parent/Teacher Resource Manual to accompany student book. Does not contain questions. The Parent/Teacher resource contains teaching notes. It is highly recommended for new parents learn how to work with their child to develop higher order thinking skills.

Our Price: $22.99
Building Thinking Skills Level 1 Building Thinking Skills Level 1

Grade(s): 2-3
Pages: 370

Building Thinking Skills® teaches non-verbal and verbal reasoning. These skills are rarely explictly taught in the classroom but are essential for academic excellence and success on any assessment test. In print for over 30 years this is a world-wide top seller. Also available in software - a game like presentation of the same exercises.

Our Price: $29.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Key Concepts (Second Grade)

Grade: 2
Pages: 160, color

This book uses powerful lessons to develop thinking skills important to academic success while teaching the key kindergarten common core concepts. Enhance cognitive development through discussion and observation. Students develop analytical skills as well as deductive and inferential reasoning skills as they work through the exercises.

Our Price: $21.99
Thinking Skills & Key Concepts Thinking Skills & Key Concepts: Teacher's Manual (Second Grade)

Grade: 2
Pages: 192
Format: paperback, reproducible

Parent/Teacher Resource Manual to accompany student book. Does not contain questions. The Parent/Teacher resource contains teaching notes. It is highly recommended for new parents learn how to work with their child to develop higher order thinking skills.

Our Price: $22.99
   
 
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