2017 PSLE Discussions and Strategies

[Estéema]

BePersevere:

Dear Parents,


I am at my wit’s end how to help my son with science open ended portion. He used to do reasonably well for paper 2 but in recent prelim, he failed horribly. While revising the upper block yesterday, he suddenly broke down and told me he does not even know what kind of answers the teachers are looking for. I was totally taken aback as this is the first time in 6 years that he snapped while revising. He claimed he does not even know what he does not know. Even when most or all key words are there, it was zero mark everywhere on the paper which he could not understand why. I am not sure if the above is a common problem for science.

This is one subject that I am unable to help him at all. I asked him to check with teacher what was wrong with his answers and to me, his wrong answers appear similar to the corrections. He said his classmates did check with teacher but all were brushed off as teacher said ‘wrong means wrong, sit down and copy down the correct answers….. go back to revise and memorise’. To me, science is more than just memorizing.

Normally we use the top school papers but I think the issue is with the wrong answers in the answer sheet. Unless parents are able to understand and mark on their own instead of relying on the answers, top school science paper may end up doing more harm than good.

As PSLE science is just 2 weeks away, I hope experienced parents here can share with me how I can help my child to gain back his confidence and study effectively. The last I want is for him to get burnt out and suffer a mental breakdown.

If it is not appropriate to share or post here, I hope some kind soul can send me a PM. Thank you in advance.

My heart goes out to your DS. He is getting stressed up, pls don't let him feel anymore hapless.

I do agree with xn_mummy, somehow some 'educators' use the SA1 & Prelim papers to create that 'panic' to spur kids to put in extra effort. Honestly, I don't agree with this tactic if it's used on 11/12 year olds. Education shld not be unhealthily stressful. When we over pressurize kids, some may snap, negatively respond to learning and will not enjoy themselves. Worst if they get panic attacks or think their world is ending....

Usually I practiced not to show my anxieties or stress before the child as I want mine to grow & learn to tackle life issues with good composure which can only come fr not feeling panic fr deep within. As parents, we shld not push further if our child feel stressed to point of despair. Maybe a bit if R&R will help but I don't let mine touch any screen games. My kids still do CCAs with the P5s two weeks before exams, tho some parents want to exempt their kids fr Term 1. Exercise helps in their blood circulation & more oxygen helps their brains to work better as it releases endorphins to help yr child feel good & happy. Learning becomes easier. Do a swim, badminton, ride a bike or sth. Even in midst exams period, I still bring child out for special b'day dinners, and visit to grandpa, etc. You'll know your child best how to relax him.

With one child I may do a 15 min break in btwn papers or study. With ano I might give a half hour for their reading pleasure of just take time to enjoy their favorite sushi, etc. I do designer cakes with my kids. A figurine a week to break the monotony. Do sth they delight in coz I know their muscle will be less tense & more nimble when they get back to study.

Do read my earlier sharing as to coaching kids to answer not just with concept words but sequentially & systematically answer with full process and not just end result. I hope it helps.

At this late hour, maybe try help yr DC spot a few topics to write & learn well. Typically, I find topics on Energy, Forces, Magnets, Heat & Light, Adaption, Environment are frequently tested qns in Booklet B. Read & revise first before trying out the qns with DC. Coach them to write 1 to 3/4 points of concept ideas/words at the side of qn, before attempting answers. Let them do their answers first before asking leading qns to get them to think what they need to fill in the gaps to complete answers by writing full process. You can rely on Science Teacher's Tips by Casco Publication.

I do many variety of things but all with objective to let them feel there's no panic or anxieties but must work hard & play hard. At times I'll sit & let the child close their eyes if they're tired, but just listen to me reading Science topics. They'll usually jump up & continue reading in their own coz it's more interesting to read for themselves.

At times when school alr gave loads of work or stressful signals (like those vibes fr yr DC teacher), I'll ensure I do a head to toe massage to help them relax. I'm not trained masseurs. Lol. But I believe every child needs to feel the personal act of love fr parents. Get to bed by 9pm. I'll pray with and for my child and encourage DC to tell God all his concerns. We do what we can as there are things not within our control so we cannot worry at everything.

Again, all the very best to good health, body, emotions & spirit of all your beloved children! They are the precious ones that will inherit all that we hv individually or collectively. The future belongs to these precious ones.

[Estéema]

kiasume:

Estéema:

Usually kids need to be trained fr P5 to write the process in arriving at end result for \"Explain your answers\" to an experiment or observation type of questions. If you see her writing the end results only, point out to her that she need to explain e.g. how the plaint died and not just write that the submerged plant cannot make food. She need to elaborate that the population of algae floating on the pond increases with the fertilizer washed into the pond fr the farm. As the algae increases, it blocked the sunlight fr plants that were submerged in the pond therefore receiving less or no light for photosynthesis and these submerged plants will not survive without sunlight.

Hi Esteema, I thought students should be writing down the keywords and straight to the point? Normally the marks allocated to the OEQ are usually 1 or 2 marks. For a 2 marks question, just make sure the answer have 3 liners. Write too much will result in not enough time.

Depends on what u interprete as straight to point answers.

Err..., I don't mean just write answers but hv to look at the qn & fish out appropriate concept ideas & words. If re'qd concepts applied, one liner can earn 2 marks. The plant can't just die. In science answers, concept or reasons how their source of survival curtailed is impt to communicate. The domino pieces don't just all fall. DH always remind our kids don't just write an English sentence to reply. You're writing a science paper, so need to explain process and show the marker youve learnt well & know what type of energy applied to the domino & process that kickstart to end results.

In reality, science qns may not be str fwd just a domino in action. They may add ano equation to it with maybe the domino pc hitting a catch that releases a pail of water. Then the child need to clearly differentiate the diff types of energy applied at diff points. So, 1 liner or full process that takes up to 4 lines - the impt thing is child must apply concept ideas systematically & correctly.

Yes. Not easy to earn 2 marks. S'times a liner helps score 2 marks. S'times one mark answers alr take up 3 lines if the complete answers given. I don't envy this generation. MOE is expecting our 12-year-olds to acquire many diff skills.

[Estéema]

xn_mummy:

i need advice on maths..


my DC is having problem on math, the more she do, the more confuse she is.
there is so many type of questions for math.. sigh
anyone has a list of math concepts that the child can focus on ? Thanks!

Hi xn_mummy,

I've thot abt yr daughter's issue long & deep. Math requires time not just to ustand concept but it's also all abt practices & practices. The more the child's brain is train to apply math concepts in diff math scenario, the better & more confident the child gets. These all takes time.

Recently, a KSP mum got my DC's Math to practice for some topics he had not grasp concept. Now he ustood & more confident. He hv time on his side at P5. I shared with his mum can use whole of Nov/Dec to brush up on P5 Math then other subjects.

2 weeks left, I really don't know how to help or suggest coz the final week shld slow down & rest not stress up. Will pm you in a while

[kiasume]

answering PSLE science is so complex.

[kiasume]

xn_mummy, I think your DD is stress liao. I suggest you don’t give her anymore new questions. Instead walked through with her the prelim papers and review the mistakes. Pump up her confidence by re-doing her school prelim papers.

[Estéema]

kiasume:

xn_mummy, I think your DD is stress liao. I suggest you don't give her anymore new questions. Instead walked through with her the prelim papers and review the mistakes. Pump up her confidence by re-doing her school prelim papers.

Agree. Keep her positive, steady & relaxed. If too stressed up, the brains get blocked out. It's just our human defense mechanism. Just go through the ones she's done. I've sent you a pm not sure if u've read. Can u pm me yr email?

[sky minecrafter]

:celebrate: Estéema has perfectly understood how to get that A* in PSLE SC (speaking from experience). :salute:

[ShevW]

xn_mummy:

I noticed this year marking is quite strict for Science OEQ. I have asked the school teacher and was told

a. correct keyword required
b. sequence of answering is required, which they said use Claim Evidence Reason (CER)
c. any conflicts concept will get marks deducted.
I guess this partly why is not easily even to get 1/2 marks now.

yes the sc teacher told us for 1 mark question, only 1 mark or Zero given, definitely no 1/2 mark will be given according to PSLE marking

[mommyNg]

ShevW:

xn_mummy:

I noticed this year marking is quite strict for Science OEQ. I have asked the school teacher and was told

a. correct keyword required
b. sequence of answering is required, which they said use Claim Evidence Reason (CER)
c. any conflicts concept will get marks deducted.
I guess this partly why is not easily even to get 1/2 marks now.

yes the sc teacher told us for 1 mark question, only 1 mark or Zero given, definitely no 1/2 mark will be given according to PSLE marking

I wonder why there is a need to be so strict in marking, especially for 11-12 year olds!! Now you know why many Singaporeans do well in those Pisa tests, but very few (if any) make it to become successful scientists? Talk about encouraging creativity, nurturing talents and interests ... you identify science talents based on correct keywords? I bet Einstein will fail very miserably if he were to take PSLE!

Sorry I'm ranting, but I think this Psle has been taking a toll on my mental health.... :faint:

[Estéema]

sky minecrafter:

:celebrate: Estéema has perfectly understood how to get that A* in PSLE SC (speaking from experience). :salute:

Hee, hee.... Thank you for sharing the experience. My compliments to you too.

For me, guess just reaffirmed my u'stand'g of PSLE reqmts for the younger kids. In the process, had loads of new white hair. Don't rmbr my PSLE hv to handle such complexities. Haiz!

Thankful for KSP I've learnt fr veteran parents & of course, shld share esp kids in need & FTWM in distress. Do keep cool & pray for peace of heart & mind. Let our kids survive & ride above the system.

Cheers sky minecrafter ! Cheers! :celebrate: