2019 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2007)
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Hello parents! My girl is also in P5 this year and we returned to S’pore 2 years back when she was in P3. Her strongest subject is English and Science is her weakest subject. She just started tuition with Pique Lab last week and Learning Lab in end Oct. About 4 hours science tuition per week and hope it helps.
In her coed school, the top 2 classes did extremely well in P4 and majority are all rounders, good in all subjects. As for my girl, due to her low band 1 score for science, she ended up in mix ability class. From other threads, it appears to me that the 2007 piggies are extremely bright pupils. I am sure 2019 PSLE is going to be an extremely tough race. To get into top schools, Tscore will be raised as majority will perform exceptionally well.
Preparation for PSLE must start now. To be in the top 10%, we need to help our kids revise consistently and very important to maintain / improve to above 90 marks in all subjects. We cannot afford P4 to P5 drop of marks to happen. Otherwise, our children will be out of the game and tough to catch up. Especially so for mainstream students.
It is so stressful but just endure for 1 year 10 months. -
Thanks for the prompt revert… But we are living in the east. Do you have anything to recommend? My son is currently going to mindstrercher n made an improvement- but think if he gets the righr guidance; can do better.
Anyone has any comments on Raymonds and Vitaminez vis a vis mindsrretcher?
Thanks so much in advance!! Much appreciated… -
Clarie79:
The Science Clinic at 2 Sin Ming Road. Taught by ex MOE teacher. Look for Mr. Vaithes, who's the teacher and owner. He's very detailed in his teaching and engaging with the kids. My friend recommended me and both our gals attained A for PSLE. My younger gal is attending there now for P5 science as well.Mama_ambitious:
Hi all! I have beem inactive for a while.. But I am on the look out for good centre for p5. Heard abt some good ones in the thomson area...Also anyone can recommemd those that help kids with open ended questions?
Thanks!
Thanks Claire79 for sharing. My niece needed a good tutor for science. We shared my child's TLL materials for her to learn thot it helped my child get A* will help her. But SIL said she's a dreamer & won't do work on her own. SIL don't know how to use the resources. Such a waste. It's really good Materials. Most kids just like TLL notes. Guess niece needs grp motivation. -
Hi Esteema’
Thanks for sharing. Would the notes be available with you?
Thanks! -
Behind the scene of success and good results of each child is none other than sweat, tears and hard work. There is no easy win but end of the day, it all attribute to only one winning formula - the amount of effort one puts in.
Below is how my friend helped her daughter score 275+3 in last year PSLE. Parents, and not the schools, are ultimately the one responsible for their own children results.
*At end of P4 SA2 (Oct), preparation for P5 began.
*Advanced teach. By mid Dec, 5A + 5B textbooks and course books were 100% completed for MA and CL. Science 50% completed. During the school holidays, daughter studied from 8am to 9pm everyday including weekend, with 3 x 1hour break in between.
*After that, 1.5 week vacation. No books, just relax.
*During school term, every day after completing school assigned homework, daughter will complete tuition work.
*In addition, complete 2 full sets of top school papers each day from Mon to Fri + 1 composition every alternate day (alternate between EL and CL).
*Weekend, attend tuition classes, mark top school papers and do corrections. *Review and revise weekly tuition work, especially those corrections.
*In total, they did past 5 years papers, all schools. Same paper, the daughter did twice. For out of scope topics for MA, cancelled them and need not do.
*My friend also compiled 5 years top schools science papers topic by topic.
*For topics that the daughter made mistakes, my friend will get her to do additional revision / drilling from assessment books.
*On the second attempt of top school papers, due to corrections already clearly explained and done the last round, at least 95% accuracy in answers was expected. Most of the time, this was achievable. If not, reviewed the topic again from guide books.
*For languages papers (EL, CL & HCL), started doing actual PSLE papers prior to P5 SA1 and SA2. In P6, repeat again especially weaker component such as comprehension.
*Feedback – Actual PSLE papers are easier than some schools P5 EL and CL papers.
*Same cycle repeated for P6. No holidays in Mar, Jun and Sep. Very important to study every day.
*Step down from CCA in P6 term 2, leaving more time for studies.
*Did not join class chat. Too distracting as - girls message non-stop, overly chatty! Boys play games non-stop!
*Attended DSA preparation class but not useful and waste of money. She only applied to RGS but was not even awarded waitlist.
At times, there were friction between mother and daughter and my friend had to repeatedly explain why the need to do so much. Others are also doing these much and she is not alone. Sometimes daughter will show grumpy face or cry but my friend will just ignore. After enough of crying, still back to study. No point arguing with the child. What needs to be done still need to be accomplished at end of the day, no negotiation. We need to be firm with our stand!
Fast forward……
After receiving the PSLE results, the daughter was extremely grateful to her mum and finally understood why her mum forced her to do so much over the past 2 years. A very important learning - there is no shortcut to success except hard work, especially for the non-gifted mainstream pupils. She managed to enter her dream school which is well worth every effort.
Even though you may be in high ability classes in your school, bear in mind that others are working so hard that you may be kick out of the top 10% anytime.
Additionally, even though you are top 10% in your own school, you might not be necessary so when you are rank with students from other top elite schools. In some neighbourhood schools, I heard only a handful of students (less than 10) getting > 250, very poor performance.
Of course, it works differently for each child so only parents know if your child is the strong-willed and capable type who is able to handle stress and excel. How determine is the child to enter his or her dream school.
Recommended Read:-
(out of print but may be able to get from library or Carousell)
How I Helped My Child Score in The PSLE
By See Jaik Yong -
Useful Tuition Materials for Science
This is one subject that many are struggling as they progress to upper block. If you analyse the PSLE results, this is also the subject that has the lowest percentage of A and A*.
The reality is we are lack of good teachers (specialized in Science only) to teach and explain the concepts well resulting many students unable to apply the concept to open ended questions. There is also insufficient time allocated to this subject.
The following resources are relatively useful in helping your child. If your friends’ or relative children have these old tuition notes, get from them. The materials are written by curriculum writers who were once ex-science HOD so they know what is required to do well in PSLE.
Improvement from C/B to A
JustEdu / Mind Stretcher / Joyous Learning
Improvement from A to A*or Maintain A* / DSA SC
Learning Lab / Mind Stretcher HA
According to my friend, learning lab notes are highly NOT RECOMMENDED for average ability students. It is suitable for HA students only as the content is too over-whelming which may add more confusion than clarify doubts.
They do not need to know these much unless the students are trying for Science DSA and need to read beyond. We are not creating little Einstein but helping our children obtain the highest possible score in PSLE. In addition, consider the need to allocate time to other subjects too.
Get the appropriate materials according to your child’s need and ability. -
kristelmum:
Hi kristelmom,Behind the scene of success and good results of each child is none other than sweat, tears and hard work. There is no easy win but end of the day, it all attribute to only one winning formula - the amount of effort one puts in.
Below is how my friend helped her daughter score 275+3 in last year PSLE. Parents, and not the schools, are ultimately the one responsible for their own children results.
*At end of P4 SA2 (Oct), preparation for P5 began.
*Advanced teach. By mid Dec, 5A + 5B textbooks and course books were 100% completed for MA and CL. Science 50% completed. During the school holidays, daughter studied from 8am to 9pm everyday including weekend, with 3 x 1hour break in between.
*After that, 1.5 week vacation. No books, just relax.
*During school term, every day after completing school assigned homework, daughter will complete tuition work.
*In addition, complete 2 full sets of top school papers each day from Mon to Fri + 1 composition every alternate day (alternate between EL and CL).
*Weekend, attend tuition classes, mark top school papers and do corrections. *Review and revise weekly tuition work, especially those corrections.
*In total, they did past 5 years papers, all schools. Same paper, the daughter did twice. For out of scope topics for MA, cancelled them and need not do.
*My friend also compiled 5 years top schools science papers topic by topic.
*For topics that the daughter made mistakes, my friend will get her to do additional revision / drilling from assessment books.
*On the second attempt of top school papers, due to corrections already clearly explained and done the last round, at least 95% accuracy in answers was expected. Most of the time, this was achievable. If not, reviewed the topic again from guide books.
*For languages papers (EL, CL & HCL), started doing actual PSLE papers prior to P5 SA1 and SA2. In P6, repeat again especially weaker component such as comprehension.
*Feedback – Actual PSLE papers are easier than some schools P5 EL and CL papers.
*Same cycle repeated for P6. No holidays in Mar, Jun and Sep. Very important to study every day.
*Step down from CCA in P6 term 2, leaving more time for studies.
*Did not join class chat. Too distracting as - girls message non-stop, overly chatty! Boys play games non-stop!
*Attended DSA preparation class but not useful and waste of money. She only applied to RGS but was not even awarded waitlist.
At times, there were friction between mother and daughter and my friend had to repeatedly explain why the need to do so much. Others are also doing these much and she is not alone. Sometimes daughter will show grumpy face or cry but my friend will just ignore. After enough of crying, still back to study. No point arguing with the child. What needs to be done still need to be accomplished at end of the day, no negotiation. We need to be firm with our stand!
Fast forward…..
After receiving the PSLE results, the daughter was extremely grateful to her mum and finally understood why her mum forced her to do so much over the past 2 years. A very important learning - there is no shortcut to success except hard work, especially for the non-gifted mainstream pupils. She managed to enter her dream school which is well worth every effort.
Even though you may be in high ability classes in your school, bear in mind that others are working so hard that you may be kick out of the top 10% anytime.
Additionally, even though you are top 10% in your own school, you might not be necessary so when you are rank with students from other top elite schools. In some neighbourhood schools, I heard only a handful of students (less than 10) getting > 250, very poor performance.
Of course, it works differently for each child so only parents know if your child is the strong-willed and capable type who is able to handle stress and excel. How determine is the child to enter his or her dream school.
Recommended Read:-
(out of print but may be able to get from library or Carousell)
How I Helped My Child Score in The PSLE
By See Jaik Yong
u mean ... your friend's daughter only study day and night, no need to nap, no compulsory school Cca to attend, no compulsory school-imposed upon Upper primary P5 / P6 Supplementary class(es) to attend, no compulsory Values-IN-Action school activities to attend, no MO training to attend, etc, during Term time ? -
Very unhealthy imho.
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But she did give 1.5 week vacation. Kiasu parents must reward yourselves and children with a good vacation too.
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Hi phtthp, similar to all other schools, my friend’s daughter also need to stay back for supplementary classes but she stopped her Art CCA in P6 term 2. She also withdrawn from MO in P5 due to no interest. No afternoon nap. My girl also does not have the habit of taking afternoon nap.
Personally, I find her schedule too packed and tiring. Not everyone can handle. Anyway, my girl is not aiming 270++ so should be able to afford doing 20%-30% less work.
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