2014 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[KS_me]

janet_lee88:

Getting paper done one after another is depressing.

This kind of intensive work is a bit heavy at 11-12 years of age...but for O levels, somehow I don't think of it as a torture...maybe because they are older...for kids doing IP, they go straight into preparing for A levels from the time they start sec 1.

totally agree with your view. at this age, is quite heart pain to see them dunking themselve into exams papers after papers after papers... i can feel his tiredness yet couldn't help much except giving him a pat on his shoulder... our poor darling

[lurline]

I use the total score divide by 0.72

[KS_me]

jtoh:

No, I don't agree that the IP students start preparing for A levels from Year 1. The extra time they have gives them the opportunity to do other activities which are out of syllabus, or pursue non-academic activities. That's why they're busy - not because they're being drilled for A levels.

actually im cant wait to see DS busy with the sports that he loves in sec schl. Not what he is doing now in P6.....drilled for psle and nothing else.

[bb_ mom]

lurline:

I use the total score divide by 0.72

You mean multiply, right?

[Nebbermind]

Most schools would have started on OE answering technique already…and probably repeated many many times. The chers will probably go thru the SA1 paper.

Sometimes it’s the kids…they just not paying attention. Or didn’t apply what they learn during the actual exam. Or simply not in the A or A☆ league.

[lurline]

bb_ mom:

lurline:

I use the total score divide by 0.72

You mean multiply, right?

Yes. Shd be multiply

[bebebub]

Nebbermind:

Most schools would have started on OE answering technique already...and probably repeated many many times. The chers will probably go thru the SA1 paper.

Sometimes it's the kids...they just not paying attention. Or didn't apply what they learn during the actual exam. Or simply not in the A or A☆ league.

Very true in my dd's case. Often, as I go through corrections with her, then she'll suddenly recall that the cher had taught her certain methods/tricks/tips in answering or solving the problem :slapshead:

Recognizing and accepting the fact that my dd is not of a 'certain standard' did take away some stress in me. I feel so sorry seeing how she tries to cope with the mountain of homework assigned by her chers :sad:

[lurline]

Ds said it is very difficult to focus in a class of 45 students. Some are very talkative and disruptive in his class. These students have private coaching and learnt in advance, so they don’t pay attention in class but always the top students in class.

[SoBlessed]

Got over the shock at the length of this post yet? If not, read on and that shock should dissipate.


I’ve just finished reading this entire thread from page 1. Many posts are cries for help, a handful are even heart-breaking. Other posts are caring responses to such cries. But all have one thing in common – they’re written by sacrificially loving parents who simply want their children to perform well in the 1st major milestone exam in their children’s educational journey. A lot have been asked and answered, pertaining to tuition, assessment books, revision schedule, homework, bedtime, CCA, class size, T-score, etc. So, as another parent of a PSLE 2014 child, I felt the need to share on the softer, human aspect of parenting such a child.

Since P1, I’ve been sending my son to school. Every morning, before we leave home, I’d give him a peck on the cheek and a hug. And he has grown to expect such a moment with his daddy every school day. I don’t doubt for a second, the love that all parents have for our children, but at their age, they need to see and feel that parental love expressed. Daddy-son or mummy-daughter bonding is another area that can’t be overrated. As often as I can, I take my son swimming, cycling, prawning (once) or even just for an ice-cream. For 12-year-olds, they don’t care that much about the kind of activity per se; even playing in the “long kang” is still time well spent with daddy or mummy.

Before I drop my son off in school each morning, my parting words have always been, till this day, “Enjoy your school day” or “Have fun in school”. Our children are still primary school kids; they ought to be enjoying their childhood and their learning. A friend’s son, who was from ACS(P) (ACS traditionally means Chinese cannot make it one lor. I should know), is now doing Higher Chinese at the secondary level, simply because his aunt tutored him and made the lessons enjoyable. Looking for an effective tutor? Find one who can make your child laugh and the lessons come alive. When children delight in whatever they’re learning or doing, half the academic battle is already won.

All the above must have worked for us. My son never had any tuition until P5, and it’s only for Chinese. He’s been averaging above 80% for every SA1/SA2, among other achievements, details of which I’ll be sensitive enough not to brag about here. And trust me, in our case, it’s not genetic; my wife’s and my IQ are only slightly above average.

The months to PSLE can now be counted with one hand, but I believe that it’s never too late to lay or strengthen your children’s emotional foundation and to rekindle their interest in the subjects. In fact, this is even more necessary during this crucial and high-stress period. And this is one area where the “every child is different” truth doesn’t apply. However weak or strong our children are academically, at the end of the day, our demonstrated parental love and how much they enjoyed the learning journey, are what our children will remember as they grow up, not their PSLE T-score. And in the end, that’s all that matters, truly.

[bebe]

SoBlessed:

Got over the shock at the length of this post yet? If not, read on and that shock should dissipate.


I’ve just finished reading this entire thread from page 1. Many posts are cries for help, a handful are even heart-breaking. Other posts are caring responses to such cries. But all have one thing in common – they’re written by sacrificially loving parents who simply want their children to perform well in the 1st major milestone exam in their children’s educational journey. A lot have been asked and answered, pertaining to tuition, assessment books, revision schedule, homework, bedtime, CCA, class size, T-score, etc. So, as another parent of a PSLE 2014 child, I felt the need to share on the softer, human aspect of parenting such a child.

Since P1, I’ve been sending my son to school. Every morning, before we leave home, I’d give him a peck on the cheek and a hug. And he has grown to expect such a moment with his daddy every school day. I don’t doubt for a second, the love that all parents have for our children, but at their age, they need to see and feel that parental love expressed. Daddy-son or mummy-daughter bonding is another area that can’t be overrated. As often as I can, I take my son swimming, cycling, prawning (once) or even just for an ice-cream. For 12-year-olds, they don’t care that much about the kind of activity per se; even playing in the “long kang” is still time well spent with daddy or mummy.

Before I drop my son off in school each morning, my parting words have always been, till this day, “Enjoy your school day” or “Have fun in school”. Our children are still primary school kids; they ought to be enjoying their childhood and their learning. A friend’s son, who was from ACS(P) (ACS traditionally means Chinese cannot make it one lor. I should know), is now doing Higher Chinese at the secondary level, simply because his aunt tutored him and made the lessons enjoyable. Looking for an effective tutor? Find one who can make your child laugh and the lessons come alive. When children delight in whatever they’re learning or doing, half the academic battle is already won.

All the above must have worked for us. My son never had any tuition until P5, and it’s only for Chinese. He’s been averaging above 80% for every SA1/SA2, among other achievements, details of which I’ll be sensitive enough not to brag about here. And trust me, in our case, it’s not genetic; my wife’s and my IQ are only slightly above average.

The months to PSLE can now be counted with one hand, but I believe that it’s never too late to lay or strengthen your children’s emotional foundation and to rekindle their interest in the subjects. In fact, this is even more necessary during this crucial and high-stress period. And this is one area where the “every child is different” truth doesn’t apply. However weak or strong our children are academically, at the end of the day, our demonstrated parental love and how much they enjoyed the learning journey, are what our children will remember as they grow up, not their PSLE T-score. And in the end, that’s all that matters, truly.

Thanks for the posting..is a good reminder. My child did not perform well in the recent SA1 despite the efforts that we have put in. I do not know the overall cohort performance so I have no basis to gauge my child performance. Despite the poor results, I want to continue the momentum, learn from our mistakes, move on and get her ready for Prelim. But my child seemed to think otherwise, she seemed listless, just wanna spend her day doodling and sleeping. I don't know how long she is going to do that...but I know I have to stop it soon. I need to get her energy back.. and yet I am so helpless and mentally drained. Everyone in the family is affected. Sometimes I just want to write to MOE and thrashed them for imposing PSLE at this age..but I know how the system work..I can only pray that my child regain her confidence and positive energy. Tomorrow is Monday..I hope she receive better results for other subjects.