All About GEP
-
Yes. Some hand holding is definitely impt for term 1 n 2. I realised tt the SS family tree project involves a detailed write-up of a family member when during the parent briefing at the start of the sch term, we were shown examples of this project/write-up. My jaws almost dropped when i saw how sophisticated some of the trees were n the documents submitted for the write-ups were quite substantive. The whole aim, i think, is to teach the pupil to collate data, understand what is pri n sec source of info, plan n organise and to prepare n conduct interviews. Tks to the briefing, i could then advise my son NOT to interview his grandma for she too had no birth cert, no education certs nor job experience as she was, like many in her generation, a full time homemaker.
But dont worry, handholding will be required much less when the pupil finds his comfort zone by semester 2. In fact, now my son prefers to do all his reseach n reports w/o my kaypoh-ing. Don’t worry. In time, ur kid too will find her/his comfort zone. But it is impt tt as a parent, we continue to be aware of what’s going on - project types, project due dates, exam /tests schedules. It is v impt for u to gather a couple of the classmates’ parents’ contact nos to update one another.
As for the family tree project, it’s only part of the whole year’s work. There are many other components adding up to the final score. It really isn’t difficult to pass SS well. -
[quote]Tks naggo-nitemare, tho' I think I m totally clueless..... for example, when my dd was doin the write-up on family member, I tot it was jus another homework and completely miss the link to the family tree project. She chose my mum as the interviewee and found some old photos of my mum. However, they were found to be insufficient as they needed at least 3 different kind of resource evidence. Aiya, then I realised that it is linked to the SS project and was very upset that I didn't guide my dd thru the project, maybe ask her choose another interviewee as my mom does not even have any birth certificate etc so no resource evidence to support!!! Anyway, bottomline is for GEP students to do well, I think parental involvement is really critical...... [/quote]
cluelessmum,
I can understand your frustration coming from. I went through with my son P4 GEP last year, feeling helpless.
The kind of assignment were way beyond me. There was nothing to fall on or any of my friends can advice me.
I'm totally agreed with naggo-nitemare. After the 2nd semester, they have mostly adjusted themselve. Just like what naggo-nitemare had said, my son also prefer to do his own reseach n reports and dun really required handholding. Your dd will be fine and so will you. :celebrate: -
Just to check the family tree project is the main project for ss for common test 1 right ?
Cos my son has another project on communications/language which is a joint english/ss project that is due about the same thime as the family tree project. -
the jt english/SS on Family English Usage is marked by both sbjt teachers. I suspect the marks apply to both English n SS scores but i’m not sure abt the apportionment of the marks. All i can remember is tt there was quite a bit of re-drafting.
-
naggo-nitemare:
the jt english/SS on Family English Usage is marked by both sbjt teachers. I suspect the marks apply to both English n SS scores but i'm not sure abt the apportionment of the marks. All i can remember is tt there was quite a bit of re-drafting.
Yeah that's the one.
It's due about the same time as the family tree project.
During briefing at the beginning of the year, the teaches seem to emphasize more on the family tree project.
So is the language usage/communication project important too ? -
I had the impression tt the family tree n write-up were the more impt projects because i recall rubrics were given for these. But i dont recall any rubrics for the english usage report. So the impression i had was tt the weightage for this report wasnt as heavy.
It’s best tt u clarify with the english teacher. It seemed tt in my son’s case, a lot of the comments for re-drafts were made by the english teacher for this eng usage report. -
[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]
Dear mummies & Daddies here:
My son is going to take the GEP test paper. But our family financial situation restrained him from attending any GEP course,which might cost more than $2000.
Anyone could provide one test paper of GEP test? I searched on line, but in vain. I go to those centres, but i was requested to attend the course, really frustrating.
Anyone can provide at least examples of GEP test paper? it is so mysterious, that i could not search anything online. Anyone willing to share the paper among us?
Your kindness will be much appreciated. -
Perhaps you have missed out alot of discussion on this. Most people will not advocate training for GEP tests. Reason being if they can prepare themselves to get into the program, they may not be prepared to stay on in the program. Most times, getting in is a smaller issue than staying inside the program. So if you are confident about your kid, then don’t prepare your kid.
But if you really want to, there are a few schools in SG touting that they trained children for GEP and they charge a premium, hence the $2000 you have been told.
From what I know, there are 3 papers, 1 Math, 1 English and 1 General Abilities and all MCQs format.
Other than that, I would just wish all the children taking GEP tests good luck!
FYI, I know of a fairly large number of children who got into GEP program but in turn prefer to stay in the mainstream education. The trend might be changing. -
If a child is gifted, the gift must have come from God.
It is inborn and therefore FOC...
I don't think we need to pay a single cent to attain the gift.
-
sharonsharon:
...My son is going to take the GEP test paper. But our family financial situation restrained him from attending any GEP course,which might cost more than $2000...
Dear sharonsharon, a key reason why we started KiasuParents.com is to show parents that if they think they need to spend thousands of dollars on preparing their children for GEP, then they have missed the entire point about what GEP and being Kiasu is all about.
Being Kiasu is really about being an effective parent, to give our best efforts in guiding our children to be the best of what they can be. Every child is gifted, but not in the same way. The GEP would have us believe that gifted children must be exceptionally superior in English (linguistic) and Math (logic), which, of course, is a very narrow and functional way of labelling children. Its goal is to identify such children so that they can receive proper attention and education to maximize their potential.
For the GEP selection process to work, it is necessary children not be artificially trained to be exam smart and pass the selection tests. Indeed, given enough time and hard work, any bright kid can be trained to get into GEP classes, which is a point exploited by people who provide GEP preparatory courses. While some of these people really believe they are providing a service to parents and kids, most are driven by profit motives. Regardless, their very existence and the fact that they are able to command a following is troubling, and points to an inherent failure of the GEP to achieve its primary objectives. Children that are truly gifted may be denied a chance to enter the program, while those that were artificially trained will suffer in the program.
It is unfortunate that a number of parents see the GEP as an elite programme (no thanks to policies that were adopted to give those in the programme easier entry into better schools), and they will continue to try all means to get their kids into the programme without worrying about the consequences. We can only hope that parents become more rational about the whole thing, that it will be their children who have to live with the decisions that their parents make. Do we really want our children to get into the GEP \"accidentally\", and suffer because they are really not who the programme is targeted at? Is it not better for us to identify what our children are good at and encourage them to grow their competencies around their true giftedness?
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login