2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[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

[ScaredyMum]

Hi All... I am here too, just that most of the time I only read but not post


BTW, sth just crossed my mind this morning and I dunno if my \"concern\" is valid.
Last year both DSs were better in SA1 Math & Sci (in absolute marks, with group tuition and some coaching from me), but poorer in EL & CL.

After switching to 1-1 tuition, their results in SA2 & this year SA1 showed the opposite. They have improved in EL & CL (different tutor) but their Math & Sci marks have slipped (same tutor for E/S/M).

Is it common for P6 to still slipped in their marks?
I am not sure why, but even with 1-1 tuition, DSs math got worse and worse.
Sci we found out was mostly carelessness, and not thinking straight during exams.
But for math, DSs told me they dunno how to do, or could not understand the qns.

This is alarming for me as i know the tutor has also been working with them quite consistently on math. I am an idiot in math too, so I can't figure out some of the answers myself and can't guide them well.

[ngl2010]

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:

Hi mummyv,

Thank you for the recommendation. We called Science Heuristics for June holiday programme but didn't know that they have a book. We'll call them again

[ScaredyMum]

Hi Goodluck8 & mummyv


My DS is oso going thru puberty stage lor. Though no major physical appearance changes (except his voice has broke), but his mentality and behavior is oso very different. His patience with this mummy’s nagging is also extremely low, and I have to approach him really really carefully and sensitively with topics regarding his results and such. Feel like I can’t really push him, just some encouragment which at times he oso gets impatient.

[happyheart]

ScaredyMum:

Hi Goodluck8 & mummyv


My DS is oso going thru puberty stage lor. Though no major physical appearance changes (except his voice has broke), but his mentality and behavior is oso very different. His patience with this mummy's nagging is also extremely low, and I have to approach him really really carefully and sensitively with topics regarding his results and such. Feel like I can't really push him, just some encouragment which at times he oso gets impatient.

My DS is also going through the above, sometimes cannot get to him...but this morning he is so sweet, accompanied me to go marketing, pushed trolley, learnt how to choose garlic etc. I praised him for being so helpful. When he got home just now, he jumped straight into his HW because he wants to make sure he is also 'good boy' for the rest of the day .
Hormones getting into him?

[happyheart]

ngl2010:

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:

Hi mummyv,

Thank you for the recommendation. We called Science Heuristics for June holiday programme but didn't know that they have a book. We'll call them again

Talking about Science Heuristics June programme, are they parents who have tried it? We wanted to let DS go for this but he does not want. If the programme is good, we may insist as we are not doing anything about Science with him at home.