2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[sharonkhoo]

Goodluck8:

Hi, ngl2010


When answering science question, the kid must assume that the marker know nothing, not even a single knowledge. Sometime, i went through the answer with my DD, she will urge with me that dont need to state as it is common sense. But i told her, the marker and I do not have any. Example : fish breathe oxygen through its gill. But she miss out 'the dissolved oxygen in the water'. Another example she just made yesterday: Less competition of food with organism A, thus organism A population will increase. She missed out ' There will be more food for organism A'.

Hope this help.

I found that it was more helpful to tell my child \"the examiner wants you to show that you know xxx\", the \"xxx\" being the key points of that topic or the logical reasoning she followed. Based on the notes and guides, the child should be aware what those key points are. Telling the child that the examiner knows nothing could (for the literal-minded) also mean having to say that a fish is creature that lives in water with scales, gills etc, and that oxygen is a gas etc.

[Nebbermind]

Goodluck8:

My DD started to be very rebellious this year. It is very tough to concentrate to prepare for PSLE when her mood changes so often. And it is even tough to communicate with her. Even a very small remark on her daily behaviour will also upset her. Is it girl tend to be grown up much faster than boys, so tends to reach the rebellious stage much more early than boys?

I thought she sounded more like a boy, who, most of the time would settle on a more shoddy piece of work and are less meticulous, thus ignoring the finer details.

[ngl2010]

Goodluck8:

Hi, ngl2010


When answering science question, the kid must assume that the marker know nothing, not even a single knowledge. Sometime, i went through the answer with my DD, she will urge with me that dont need to state as it is common sense. But i told her, the marker and I do not have any. Example : fish breathe oxygen through its gill. But she miss out 'the dissolved oxygen in the water'. Another example she just made yesterday: Less competition of food with organism A, thus organism A population will increase. She missed out ' There will be more food for organism A'.

Hope this help.

Hi Goodluck8,

From the fish example, it looks like there are 2 concepts tested in 1 question while the organism A is 1 concept. Am I right? How to distinguish whether it is 2 concepts question or 1 concept question?

[ngl2010]

slmkhoo:

Goodluck8:

Hi, ngl2010


When answering science question, the kid must assume that the marker know nothing, not even a single knowledge. Sometime, i went through the answer with my DD, she will urge with me that dont need to state as it is common sense. But i told her, the marker and I do not have any. Example : fish breathe oxygen through its gill. But she miss out 'the dissolved oxygen in the water'. Another example she just made yesterday: Less competition of food with organism A, thus organism A population will increase. She missed out ' There will be more food for organism A'.

Hope this help.

I found that it was more helpful to tell my child \"the examiner wants you to show that you know xxx\", the \"xxx\" being the key points of that topic or the logical reasoning she followed. Based on the notes and guides, the child should be aware what those key points are. Telling the child that the examiner knows nothing could (for the literal-minded) also mean having to say that a fish is creature that lives in water with scales, gills etc, and that oxygen is a gas etc.

Hi SlmKhoo,

I have problem understanding how to expand the explanation. In the fish explanation, the main point is about Living Things concept (I think). Should we expand the explanation about Living Things or should we write about another related concept? If other concept, which one? Because the related ones could be Water, Adaptation, Environmental Impact, etc :scratchhead: I am very confused...

[sharonkhoo]

ngl2010:

slmkhoo:

[quote=\"Goodluck8\"]Hi, ngl2010


When answering science question, the kid must assume that the marker know nothing, not even a single knowledge. Sometime, i went through the answer with my DD, she will urge with me that dont need to state as it is common sense. But i told her, the marker and I do not have any. Example : fish breathe oxygen through its gill. But she miss out 'the dissolved oxygen in the water'. Another example she just made yesterday: Less competition of food with organism A, thus organism A population will increase. She missed out ' There will be more food for organism A'.

Hope this help.

I found that it was more helpful to tell my child \"the examiner wants you to show that you know xxx\", the \"xxx\" being the key points of that topic or the logical reasoning she followed. Based on the notes and guides, the child should be aware what those key points are. Telling the child that the examiner knows nothing could (for the literal-minded) also mean having to say that a fish is creature that lives in water with scales, gills etc, and that oxygen is a gas etc.

Hi SlmKhoo,

I have problem understanding how to expand the explanation. In the fish explanation, the main point is about Living Things concept (I think). Should we expand the explanation about Living Things or should we write about another related concept? If other concept, which one? Because the related ones could be Water, Adaptation, Environmental Impact, etc :scratchhead: I am very confused...[/quote]I'm sorry, I can't help you. I didn't analyse the questions and answers in that kind of detail! We just found it reasonably obvious what the examiner wanted to see in most questions as they are all very standard. I also believe that PSLE markers are not as narrow as is made out - I think it's the teachers and tutors who make kids answer in very specific ways, sometimes too \"only one possible right answer\" than is really necessary.

[ngl2010]

slmkhoo:

ngl2010:

[quote=\"slmkhoo\"]
I found that it was more helpful to tell my child \"the examiner wants you to show that you know xxx\", the \"xxx\" being the key points of that topic or the logical reasoning she followed. Based on the notes and guides, the child should be aware what those key points are. Telling the child that the examiner knows nothing could (for the literal-minded) also mean having to say that a fish is creature that lives in water with scales, gills etc, and that oxygen is a gas etc.

Hi SlmKhoo,

I have problem understanding how to expand the explanation. In the fish explanation, the main point is about Living Things concept (I think). Should we expand the explanation about Living Things or should we write about another related concept? If other concept, which one? Because the related ones could be Water, Adaptation, Environmental Impact, etc :scratchhead: I am very confused...

I'm sorry, I can't help you. I didn't analyse the questions and answers in that kind of detail! We just found it reasonably obvious what the examiner wanted to see in most questions as they are all very standard. I also believe that PSLE markers are not as narrow as is made out - I think it's the teachers and tutors who make kids answer in very specific ways, sometimes too \"only one possible right answer\" than is really necessary.[/quote]Hi SlmKhoo,

I will ask DS to practice more papers so maybe he can see the light. I am extremely weak in Science so I don't see the obvious :oops:

Anyway, thank you for your help

[ngl2010]

Hi Goodluck8,


Thank you for the offer. I shall read many questions first as what you did before I send you pm with my questions. I heard that the answers to top school past year papers are only 80% correct. I am currently relying on a few that answers were provided by the schools themselves and not by the vendor. Is there any assessment books which answers are model answers?

[sharonkhoo]

ngl2010:

Hi SlmKhoo,


I will ask DS to practice more papers so maybe he can see the light. I am extremely weak in Science so I don't see the obvious :oops:

Anyway, thank you for your help

When my daughter was preparing for the PSLE, we didn't use many materials as we were overseas and didn't have much time to spare. We found one of the science guides (Marshall Cavendish? the orange book) fairly comprehensive in picking out the main keywords and concepts. The other useful item was a topical assessment book by Janet Sim (can't remember the title) which had detailed model answers with explanations. RGPS science papers downloaded from some of the free websites also had very detailed marking rubric. Besides that, my daughter picked up what she could from her school teacher (who wasn't a very good one, frankly). She did a no. of past papers over the 3 mths in school, and after a while, all the questions start looking roughly the same. I think teachers in school are always pointing out the keywords etc, so ask your child to pay attention in class.

[mummyv]

hi ngl2010


For science, most KSP parents recommend LiSC Answering Technique. I borrowed it fm the library to look thru. If you want to buy http://www.scienceheuristics.com.sg/Publications.html.

Jia you, answering OE questions is indeed a headache. What DD teachers advocate is answer direct to question, use science keywords... but we r still struggling to do it correctly.

hi Goodluck8

Mine is DD too and going thru same phase. So unlike other parents who chiong with DC - parental will ie I tell u do cos my strategy is better, does not cut it. Marks have suffered cos I can only offer support and encouragement. It is hard to sit on the sidelines when I feel more can be done faster, better in the same time :grphug:

[ngl2010]

slmkhoo:

ngl2010:

Hi SlmKhoo,


I will ask DS to practice more papers so maybe he can see the light. I am extremely weak in Science so I don't see the obvious :oops:

Anyway, thank you for your help

When my daughter was preparing for the PSLE, we didn't use many materials as we were overseas and didn't have much time to spare. We found one of the science guides (Marshall Cavendish? the orange book) fairly comprehensive in picking out the main keywords and concepts. The other useful item was a topical assessment book by Janet Sim (can't remember the title) which had detailed model answers with explanations. RGPS science papers downloaded from some of the free websites also had very detailed marking rubric. Besides that, my daughter picked up what she could from her school teacher (who wasn't a very good one, frankly). She did a no. of past papers over the 3 mths in school, and after a while, all the questions start looking roughly the same. I think teachers in school are always pointing out the keywords etc, so ask your child to pay attention in class.

Hi SlmKhoo,

Thank you for your sharing. We have the MC orange guide. I will get Janet Sim's book asap. Thank you