2018 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (Born in 2006)

[melodyrain2]

sky minecrafter:

@melodyrain. My dearest. About 2 months (?) or so before PSLE CL Oral, school will make them do weekly oral (1-to-1, prep is to memorise about 15 pages each time, thereabouts). Cannot memorise must write out the script yah. Then teacher will evaluate each child's (whether can get at least an A or not) overall subject performance. If expect to not make it teacher will call you (latest by Jun holidays thereabouts) to discuss personalised revision plan...

Memorize 15 pages each week!!! Oh No!!!! How did the previous batches survive!!! Now I am wide awake, 被妳吓醒了！Literally! 真的！

Please don't call me.....

[Estéema]

Melodyrain2,


Pls don’t panic or feel overwhelm.

Just organize & get started.

Plan & rate the strong subj down to weak subj. Familiarise yourself with all the topics for each subj. Work with your DC to work out Nov/Dec study schedule. Pls offer your DC some R&R after each set target as incentives.

Once you get started, you’ll find satisfaction with progressive achievements & get the momentum. I always find it impt to go thro concept before practice papers & just a week or 2 do exam papers.

IMO kids with parent’s guidance & support hv more direction & attitude applied diligently to preparation towards goal(s). Impt to develop a good 2-way conversational relationship (my cheem reference to hv a frdship with your child) to gain buy-in & cooperation. P6 year may seem innocent entry by Jan, but the pressure builds up & before u realize & if u’re not careful, u find yourself worried & stressed up, possibly pressing your child more than ur usual days.

Best start this Nov/Dec when no sch hmwk, CCA, supp classes, etc. Easier to absorb.

I’ve a lot of nervous experience right after CA1 coz some parents started panic reaction & asks for recommendations for tutor, tuition centres, effective assessment books… Reason I got nervous coz, whilst I love kids & always look out ways to help them, I’m often worried in any recommendations at such late hour, may be a lttle too late & too much expectations to succeed at such short time frame (5-6 mths to PSLE!)

In our journey, my feel is to start close understanding & monitoring of child’s learning needs & progress right fr lower primary. It’s a fallacy to outsource learning completely coz u don’t always hv the best teacher/coach even st good schools & branded tuition centres. It’s not about grades but a journey of training the brain muscles and acquiring the attitude of consistent learning. The good/high grades gone as a product of effort.

Overall checklist of DC’s coping in following areas (not exhaustive list) :-

Chinese
- Oral regular practice & conversation in Mandarin about variety topics (Channel 8, 7pm Chinese news is good start)
- 作文 if u can set simple topics but encourage child to do weekly Chinese compo of one page using phrases learnt fr P5 text (set target of use btwn 5-7 成语, 词语, 好句好词 …). These add up to familiarity & progressing confidence.

When your DC can confidently score well naturally in 口试 & 作文, there’s assurance of doing well in Chinese paper in totality.

It’s not advisable to do any P6 exampapers practice coz your DC hv not learn P6 text & will get discourage.

I ordered P5 Chinese exampapers to expose DC to more practices fr other top schools’ papers. Advantage is it’s within their level & the 理解问答 passages accord lots more practices before P6.

English - Check if DC’s English compo needs correcting of spelling, grammar re-learning, story building techniques, use of appropriate adjectives, proverbs, idioms, etc…
- in a typical Sporean home, DC usually hv no problem with Eng Oral. But wait! You never know coz it depends on confidence level of child & surprises can happen during critical exams. A friend’s child just froze during Prelims Oral & returned home crying terribly disappointed at himself. Do, good to expose your child to guided interactions with friends, library story-telling activities, Kid’s toastmaster or public-speaking or drama classes.

Science - revise P4 & P5 heavy topics & do some exam papers during Nov/Dec. Start reading up maybe 2 P6 topics, so prepare ahead.

Kids usually need a lot of reinforcing on topics such as Magnets, Forces, Cells, Energy, etc. Ensure DC ustand concepts well & teach them to allocate just abt enuf time between Booklet A & Booklet B & leave enuf time for checking work. Check Booklet B first to ensure appropriate application of specific topic concepts words & concept ideas, answering to OE Qns. Booklet B is certainly not easy to each a 12-year-old.

Hope this long sharing helps.

[Estéema]

melodyrain2:

Does your DC hv tuition for Chinese?


I used P6 汪老师 to revise all Oral & 作文 topics. Then I combine similar topics to guide DC to learn to apply flexibly all the 成语, 词语, 好句好词 given in the 汪 worksheets. They've so many topics for not Oral & 作文 which I told my kids can apply interchangeably. I find just asking kid to memorize, they don't learn to be flexible to apply.

Save my headache to search for topics & materials to revise.

Hi Esteema, yes my kid has a home tutor for Chinese. But once a week, I feel it is insufficient to cover all the components for both CL and HCL. I cannot add on more lessons due to time constraints and budget. So I am hoping to 'help out' a bit in his weakest link， 作文。Something that is effective and both of us can manage. And yes, he doesn't exactly like to memorize lor.

I often hear memorize 好句好词, is it to memorize the full sentence or just the important part?

eg. 老师讲的笑话真好笑，让我们都笑得直不起腰。
Student memorizes the full sentence or just 笑得直不起腰?

His tutor has been working with him to improve his Chinese. He has made improvement but not enough lor, especially 作文 which I believe a lot need to be done and not easy to pull up.[/quote]

I find it only helps if the meaning behind the phrase & how it can be applied is taught. Memorizing will help the child to use confidently & apply in different topics. So u can highlight to DC what are the various situation phrase can be applied.

I'm sorry to hv to alert parents to evaluate & select Chinese tutors carefully. A parent's job isn't easy coz of complexity of watching chemistry of DC & tutor. A PRC tutor may not nec know how to teach, just as I am English speaking but I may not be competent to teach English techniques as a professional.

In fact, I was recommended a tutor as an ex-MOE teacher & author of a 作文 writing text, but she cldnt connect & teach (identify errors, teach application of techniques, etc). After 3 mths, we had to call it quits. Next tutor was ano very experienced ex-MOE trained tutor with no accolades of published books, but she guided my child well & within 2 mths major errors & poor habits were corrected.

We've gone thro many tutors, but I'll share that I closely monitor progress & am very decisive when I need to end the relationship of progress when my child progresses so as to provide appropriate coach to level up. We had to quit Berries bcoz by P3, the materials & level of coaching was lagging & the grades dropped drastically. In btwn gaps, DH & I poured our time & effort to coach.

I really hope you find the right fit for your DC.

[Estéema]

lee_yl:

janet88:

[quote=\"lee_yl\"]I just finished PSLE prep with DD1, have yet to collect her results and fully recovered from PSLE stress, now already started DD2’s PSLE prep for next year.


I really hate PSLE as it really turns my hair white. I hope this time round it will be less stressful as I am now an experienced PSLE parent

i was thinking of you when MOE announced PSLE results will be released...please take care of yourself.
psle turned my hair white and caused baldness on my scalp TWICE!
both your girls are intelligent, so i don't think you have too much worries.

Janet, I am feeling gan jeong for the coming Friday as DD1’s prelim results weren’t great.

I remember there was one day I was upset and screamed for DD1 when I found her missing from her study table, then I realized PSLE was already over. Life is damn stressful, like constantly being reminded of PSLE coming. :frustrated:[/quote]Dearest lee_yl,

You must chill & give yourself & yr DD a great treat before next Friday. Reward yourselves for the hardwork for PSLE & assure yr DD she had made good effort whatever the results. Life is more than study & the journey is more to come. You've done such a great job, don't continue to beat each other to pulps! Be sweet to yourself and your DD as a strong relationship irrespective of outcome of man-made yardstick will help your DD to be resilient & survive for the long haul.

You wanna go for movie with me?

[sky minecrafter]

-

[janet88]

lee_yl:

Janet, I am feeling gan jeong for the coming Friday as DD1’s prelim results weren’t great.

I remember there was one day I was upset and screamed for DD1 when I found her missing from her study table, then I realized PSLE was already over. Life is damn stressful, like constantly being reminded of PSLE coming. :frustrated:

YL,
my daughter's prelim results qualified her only for NT! we were shocked but didn't show our expressions because it will hurt her a great deal. i can understand your worries because this is a major exam but you have to take care mentally because being being burnt out means you can't do anything.
i was burnt out after son's psle...i just couldn't bring myself to coach my younger one or even plan her schedule for p3 then...had panic attacks each time i see books.
i know nothing which i say will help you alleviate your stress but i just hope you will be able to be positive :snuggles:

[Estéema]

janet88:

lee_yl:

Janet, I am feeling gan jeong for the coming Friday as DD1’s prelim results weren’t great.

I remember there was one day I was upset and screamed for DD1 when I found her missing from her study table, then I realized PSLE was already over. Life is damn stressful, like constantly being reminded of PSLE coming. :frustrated:

YL,
my daughter's prelim results qualified her only for NT! we were shocked but didn't show our expressions because it will hurt her a great deal. i can understand your worries because this is a major exam but you have to take care mentally because being being burnt out means you can't do anything.
i was burnt out after son's psle...i just couldn't bring myself to coach my younger one or even plan her schedule for p3 then...had panic attacks each time i see books.
i know nothing which i say will help you alleviate your stress but i just hope you will be able to be positive :snuggles:

Agree with Janet88.

Please stay positive. In life, we need to learn to let go. My wish is for you to be free of anxieties before next Fri. Treat yourself well.

P.S. I believe your girl will do well. You've been a good provider & guide to her as I rmbr all your sharing.

[Imp75]

Hiaz…just finished DD1’s psle last year and next year another round of PSLE…this time round, I feel my pressure higher as I hope the younger ones can follow jiejie into same school…now that DSA criteria is tightened and Quota lowered, I think DSA chances might be slimmer…use PSLE results worry about freak results…

Hiaz…

[sean wife]

Esteema,

Can share more on how you use Wang Lao Shi oral notes to do revision? As in just asking the child to read, or memorise part of it, or you ask the questions and the child answers?

Tks…

[Estéema]

sean wife:

Esteema,

Can share more on how you use Wang Lao Shi oral notes to do revision? As in just asking the child to read, or memorise part of it, or you ask the questions and the child answers?

Tks..

Hi sean wife,

Just yday one KSP mum asks same question. Here is my sharing:-

Every week, 汪老师 Worksheets will include both 口试 & 作文 practices. I use both Oral & 作文 materials to coach as revision bcoz the examples can be used inter-changeably. The phrases used for a specific topic can be applied in ano situation. But 1st they need to ustand how the phrase come abt & its meaning. In what other situations can be used. After a few practices & application, as the child gains confidence, they'll get a hang of it & learn to apply all other phrases as best they can appropriately.

I do revision bcoz DC may not absorb all that's taught during class (moods, distraction, etc). Good to revise these good materials as it's code to MOE textbook syllabus & very well presented.

Then, by June sch holiday of P6 year, I batch similar topics such as visit to hospital, volunteering, or treat elderly with kindness, etc & get DC to write a similar topic using ALL the phrases as a practice (so DC hv to learn to use phrases fr at least 3 diff related topics & apply into new topic). Result I told DC, aim to use more than 10 phrases.

You can group Kindness, playground, racial harmony, etc and set a topic for DC to write 作文 using phrases & ideas fr all those topics.

I find this will help child to learn to use ideas & phrases flexibly coz we never know what topic will be set in PSLE for Oral or 作文 & they shld learn to apply into new situation & topics.

Btw, long before these revision, I get DC to learn all the 听写 & 默写. For P5 less each week & full revision of phrases by year-end. P6 more 听写 & 默写 each week. Initially, I look at it I felt overwhelmed but as we get going with revision, I realized it's revisiting previous lessons & was pleased DC coped very well. So, it's all abt regular work.

With Chinese phrases, it is not as effective just memorizing but the child needs to u'stand before they can rmbr well & apply appropriately.

I counsel my kids it's like daily meals, we eat regularly & consistently - not shalf 29 burgers in one meal (do not learn only towards exams) owise get gastric reactions. So our brain muscles must be exercised regularly owise it doesn't give u visible lastly results.

Feel free to pm me any further qns, I'll do my best to share if I know