2019 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2007)

[panickymum]

Thanks for sharing


This is hectic ! After reading it I think I will be the one crying if I go through that . There are more to go when comes to A level .

[nms1]

This is appalling. Whatever result was achieved it is not worth it. If she needed to do this much work in order to reach that score in PSLE then she will have to continue at this level throughout secondary school. We should push our children but not too far beyond their natural ability and not at the expense of life.

kristelmum:

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

[ilovelaksa]

kristelmum:

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

A friend of mine did this for PSLE. Her dd scored 273. Dd’s A level results were ACCC/B.
I think it is entirely possible for the parent to drill/control a 12yo. But to do likewise to a 18yo, it will be challenging. At some point, we hv to let the kids do the studying on their own. Otherwise, how to cope with uni/life?

[Zappy]

nms1:

This is appalling. Whatever result was achieved it is not worth it. If she needed to do this much work in order to reach that score in PSLE then she will have to continue at this level throughout secondary school. We should push our children but not too far beyond their natural ability and not at the expense of life.

I agree that it is appalling; not something that I would personally put my child through. I'm all for pushing a child's potential and I absolutely put education as a priority; but as a parent, I feel we should also balance the needs and their overall development, including in other fields, eg. sports, social skills and... happiness!

As to whether it is worth it or not, only they will know. I hope that girl retains good memories of her primary school days & her relationship with her mom.

So when some kids crack under extreme stress and pressure, be mindful of who is the one perpetuating it. Don't blame the system, don't regret, don't wish it wasn't the case, don't wish to turn back time.

Regardless of what is put in place, if someone wants to go to the ends of the world to score, they can always go to ridiculous extremes.

[laughingcat]

ilovelaksa:

A friend of mine did this for PSLE. Her dd scored 273. Dd’s A level results were ACCC/B.

I think it is entirely possible for the parent to drill/control a 12yo. But to do likewise to a 18yo, it will be challenging. At some point, we hv to let the kids do the studying on their own. Otherwise, how to cope with uni/life?

So sad to see such drilling at such young age. No independent learning and hence can't learn to self-learn. It's a no wonder most Sec or JC or even Uni students are going for tuition. If a child goes for language tuition, at least it is understandable. Really.....what have the young generation been becoming? It's really scary. Its seem learning are only books books books. No sports. No hobbies. Life is really meaningless.

Parents....pls read if you want your child to survive all through Uni.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2015/10/16/former-stanford-dean-explains-why-helicopter-parenting-is-ruining-a-generation-of-children/?utm_term=.809d1ecb1eef

[blumarine]

Estéema:

blumarine:

Hi mummies of the piggies,


I'm joining this thread as I am just about to feel the PSLE 2019's heat. Looking forward to learning from more expert mummies here.

Do start early engaging your child in studies. This way, u can ustand strengths & weakness to help search for appropriate resources early enuf. It also takes time to develop your child to ustand the need for regular & consistent work. Can't do last minute, panic learning.

I fear recommending anything esp when mums approach me after P6 CA1 results don't show good grades. This coz I fear too stressful for kid. Had so many asking coz my child had consistent achievements & MOE scholarship, but these parents still insists. Thankfully, some took my advice to put in effort to revise after every lesson with tuition centre or home tutors. Some just can't help kids coz they either can't do Chinese language or can't handle any teaching. The love of parents who go thro every revision with their child showed good results. Just rec'd good news most rec'd 3-4As, they're especially elated their Chinese achievements fr failing to A after attending 汪老师 or use materials. Now they wished they had started early coz tho got 3 or 4 As but T-score on the low side.

Start early, less stress when P6 year arrives. Can afford to let kid pace slow down esp puberty year or tiredness sets in on your child.

All the best through this journey! 加油！

thank you so much for the advice

[Mama123]

Mama_ambitious:

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....

My son is with Vitamindz and I highly recommend them. He started in P4 last year and I could see an improvement. Hope he can be pushed further up in the coming year.

[kristelmum]

I think many of you will be surprised that there are parents who will cane their children if they did not perform up to expectation. My daughter told me her good friends (2 girls who are top few in P3 and P4) will be canned by their mum for every mark fall short of full mark!! To me, this is totally barbaric even though it really yields good results year after year. In school, kids share everything with their close friends. No secret.

[love1001]

kristelmum:

I think many of you will be surprised that there are parents who will cane their children if they did not perform up to expectation. My daughter told me her good friends (2 girls who are top few in P3 and P4) will be canned by their mum for every mark fall short of full mark!! To me, this is totally barbaric even though it really yields good results year after year. In school, kids share everything with their close friends. No secret.

Hi Kristelmum, this is no surprises to me and it is probably quite common. It is also happening to my DD1’s last year classmate. That girl receives academic achievement award every year since P1 too. I sometimes think when a child delivered good results the first year or the first time, parents expect the same to happen every year. Thus, getting increasingly demanding.

[ilovelaksa]

Sometimes, we forget we are not the ones studying.