Mindstretcher - Discussion

[phtthp]

Starling:

Hi

I also notice the trend of copying composition for the past weeks, but am still monitoring the progress to see whether there is any improvement. Does copying really help?

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum ... 94&t=18458

[zeemimi]

Copying does have its uses. It reinforces some of the vocab and writing styles learned.


No one method employed by a tuition agency suits every child.

I like the progress my elder one made at MS writer’s toolbox. His writing skills was very much polished after 1 year with them and was moved up to the HA class. He didn’t complain about the copying. Probably because he’s older and can write fast.
But my younger one is complaining about copying because it is tedious. One thing is she is younger, at lower pri, but she has learned quite a fair bit of vocab there.

[jetsetter]

I guess it depends on your child's learning style and only you'll know how best to optimise his learning. If time is of the essence (which is usually the case when parents entrust their kids to centres to seek a quick n dirty fix to tackle the upcoming CA/SA), then I must say WRITING it down does help some pp remember creative phrases/vocab better.


Some individuals simply can't recall nor apply stuffs they gleaned from dozens of books they read. Interesting words/expressions just don't get lodged to their brains for some reason.

Some studies hv shown that writing (be it note-taking or copying) helps one remember better. The copying process is a complex one which involves: looking at the draft (scan/'xerox'), mapping it to a part of your brain (encode), deciphering it (decode), writing it down on paper (replicate) and simultaneously looking at the replica you've just produced (reinforce)...

Hving said that, I don't think it's the right way for the centre to get students to copy the model compo wholesale a few times, without explaining to them how to employ the right essay techniques (or have they?!). It's laborious, rigid and leaves the little one little room for creativity/clouds imagination.

Anyway, I suspect it might work for non-native spkrs of Eng or those hard-pressed for time to turnaround something decent... These are the one who probably hadn't had the opp to read widely when they were little/they'd zero interest in reading/they'd no ready access to good reads/they are logical thinkers who prefer to be succinct/they've been skimming their novels for years and parents didn't realise that, etc.

If you hv the capability and bandwidth to curate readers and coach your dc, and your dc happen to also love reading AND hv a flair for writing, you will think the copy method is flawed.

I know of another centre that also gets students to WRITE out vocab, their synonyms and meanings, idioms as homework so that they can remember better. But applying them appropriately and weaving them into a coherent and compelling narrative require another set of skills.

[double ens]

Thanks all for sharing. Appreciate it. DD came back last week and said his hands are tired… sigh…

[eekjan]

From what I know mindstretcher can be quite expensive…

[jasmine4]

double ens:

Thanks all for sharing. Appreciate it. DD came back last week and said his hands are tired... sigh..

My girl also complaint about her hand was tired after her class at Mind Stretcher. Somemore she was not attending English Compo class but Math. Basically she was copying answer from the board rather learning from the tutor as there was hardly any explanation.

[Blue Pearl]

Is Mindstretcher coping answers in their class? If this so, how do they have kids getting high marks?


I thought Mindstretcher is good but now having second thoughts sending my gal there? Do they discuss before writing their composition?

[zeemimi]

Blue Pearl:

Is Mindstretcher coping answers in their class? If this so, how do they have kids getting high marks?


I thought Mindstretcher is good but now having second thoughts sending my gal there? Do they discuss before writing their composition?

You should find out more from MS instead of getting bits and pieces of info here.
I'm not promoting MS here. In fact i find their customer service downright rude at times. But to be fair, i have to say that my kids benefit from their classes and copying is only one component of it.

[Yong HL]

Blue Pearl:

In fact i find their customer service downright rude at times.

Agree.

[Blue Pearl]

Tks zeemimi.