Unfair treatment in Math

[verykiasu2010]

Pen88n:

I know there are schools that does subject banding for the average classes. This will also help that students of certain strengths are grouped together so that they can further their strong subjects and not be held back by students weaker in the subject.


Having said that, nothing beats an \"analysis\" whereby the kid's strengths and weaknesses are recognised - strengths should be \"exploited\" further, weaknesses can be gaps that needed to be \"filled\". I see this as the job of the parents who are hands-on and can coach and guide their kids along. Outsouorcing this task to tutor(s) may / may not work as tutor(s) do not know or understand the kid as well.

Fair statement

[buds]

skyjuice:

buds:

Heard from many tutors and parents, Andrew Er's Math Books are pretty
challenging. There's also another publication from SAP, if you're keen to
check them out, skyjuice.

Thanks, Buds DS has been doing more Onsponge Conquer Problem Sums, Casco's Problem Sums and Fabian Ng's book. They are quite comprehensive in covering challengers too.

Yes, how cud i have left out Fabian. Fabian's books are systematic and
clearly written. We started with Fabian as well since K2.

[phtthp]

is it true that nowadays in PSLE -

Maths questions getting less tough, compared to the past ?

[GLORYmum]

could it be that our kids are getting smarter and able to solve the questions which used to be tougher before?


i have given up solving DD's maths questions since P5 ...

[bb_ mom]

Many sentences & steps involved. Sometimes, can get lost in the question. I'm still struggling with DS but outsourced as well. Drop by the P5 Math thread. :faint:

[Dino_Mummy]

That's the challenge of being in an \"elite\" school?


In any case, with all the above views, i do concur that parents have to play an active role in helping their child these days -- as parents, we want to help our child reach their highest potential but as a teacher (as Tamarind shared), you have to help the class (if not majority) to pass.

In an 'elite' school, there may also be pressure to filter out further to maintain their 'standard' and reputation?

Skyjuice:

DS just transferred to an \"elite\" school. He was from one of the top classes in his previous school but now placed in a low ability class. He got very bored doing just the work book. No challenging sums at all. He was shocked to learn only 2, in his current class of 41, passed SA1 Math and at borderline too. Many of the kids scored below 40. I've seen that paper and it really isn't easy!

I guess it's a bit shocking as DS had always been in top classes and never seen such results before. Perhaps it's the school's way to get the kids to buck up with a tough paper? Or like Sun2010 said, the school's way to filter out the higher ability students.

Like Picolo, I've always known better classes do more. But I guess now then I feel a bit sore bearing the brunt of it. We have stepped up on his home revision cos can't depend on his class to prepare him for the SA2 if DS wants to move to a better class next year.

Just needed an outlet to let it out! Thanks folks! :stupid:[/quote]

[KSP]

in the context of PSLE be it for Maths or other subjects, the paper is such that it will not fail most students but also difficult to score A*… depending on the parents’ expectation, if the expectation is to solve all the questions then it will be challenging unless the kid is very bright…

[Kiaseemum]

Need advice: my ds seems to be a little lost with p1 math, always scoring e.g 30/50…

Just wondering if he needs tuition?? Will tuition once a week help him?
I’m just concerned if I don’t send him now things may get worse … Hopefully not.
Kiaseemum.

[Ikid]

Kiaseemum,


Do you have time to coach him? By coaching him, you will know if he is weak in understanding the question or he's a careless chap.
P1 Math is generally easy to teach.
Also, you may check with his Math teacher to see if your son is really weak in understanding the concepts.
You need to know his area of weakness before you can adopt the right approach. Hope it helps.

Kiaseemum:

Need advice: my ds seems to be a little lost with p1 math, always scoring e.g 30/50..
Just wondering if he needs tuition?? Will tuition once a week help him?
I'm just concerned if I don't send him now things may get worse .. Hopefully not.
Kiaseemum.

[Ikid]

Kiaseemum:

Need advice: my ds seems to be a little lost with p1 math, always scoring e.g 30/50..

Just wondering if he needs tuition?? Will tuition once a week help him?
I'm just concerned if I don't send him now things may get worse .. Hopefully not.
Kiaseemum.

Kiaseemum,

Do you have time to coach him? By coaching him, you will know if he is weak in understanding the question or he's a careless chap.
P1 Math is generally easy to teach.
Also, you may check with his Math teacher to see if your son is really weak in understanding the concepts.
You need to know his area of weakness before you can adopt the right approach. Hope it helps.