2018 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (Born in 2006)

[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

[Estéema]

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.....

Can empthatize as it's not easy to hv 2 to handle & one year immediately after. Asks to be free fr the chains of earthly binding & for strength to move on to a new page. Be anchored in your faith & not let earthly stronghold cause you to falter. When u let go of the past struggles (anyway over now), you then hv fresh perspective & energy to face a new season to handle ur DD2's PSLE. You'll hv new perspective how to guide as u're more experience with the P6 syllabus. Just need to twitch according to yr DD2 style of learning. Hang in there.

[melodyrain2]

@Esteema and @ sky minecrafter,thank you for all the generous sharing and insights. I have benefited a lot and will try to implement some the tips shared here by the helpful KSP moms. I am blessed. :imcool:


:thankyou: