2019 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2007)

[kristelmum]

phtthp:

Hi piggies (born 2007),


If you intend to DSA by academic route in one year's time (2019 May), note that there had been some minor changes to academic DSA, as shared by ganjiongspider, over here

https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=87479&start=80


If DSA by academic road :
in the past, one can DSA by any one of the 4 individual academic subjects, you are strong in.

Now, they tend to make it two by two , either by 2 languages together concurrently (ie. Bilingualism), or by (Maths & Science) two subjects combination going together.


Many students find it easier to DSA, by individual one academic subject. But to DSA by tackling 2 subjects concurrently, make it not so simple. Also, this will result in lesser seats taken up by DSA via academic road, if enter by being strong in 2 subjects, instead of need to be strong only in 1 subject, in the past.

With lesser seats taken up by acdemic DSA road, via \" now, must be strong in 2-subject combination, not just strong in one subject only implementation\", this will lead to more vacancies left behind, for students to enter by the traditional T-score route, based on ranking by merit.

Perhaps this is in line with MOE policy : want to reduce the number of seats taken up (consumed), via DSA academic route, since we already have the PSLE T-score to manage & to control the seats allocation, during S1 posting.

Thank you for sharing phtthp.

DSA by academic route is extremely tough now. Even my friend's daughter who is so strong in Chinese (consistently high 90s), was not even offered a waitlist from RGS last year. She was so disappointed but fortunately, was able to enter using T-score. In her class, most students who got the CO or WL were those who DSA through sports.

I am not sure how true it is but I heard for MS students, success rate for DSA to the R-schools is very very low.

[Tan sg]

The way to train composition and comprehension is similar.


1) Read to understand.
A) Read all the chapters and reading materials from the text book.
B) get a book with very good composition or comprehension passages

Firstly pupil have to read one sentence by one sentence, after a few days, read paragraphs and after a few months the whole essay.
Reading makes sure they "read" the words and pronounces the words.
c) Ask them the who,where,when,what,how and why questions.
d) ask them what does each line meant?

2) Write every day.
A story always has 4 elements;- Who, when, where, and what. and every short story should have a very clearcut story line.

3) bring e-dictionary every day and check it every time.

The key to training is to run slowly at first and pick up pace later.
.

[phtthp]

Hi piggies,


SEAB (Sg PSLE Examination Board) often like to test us Science concepts, based on Application of scientific theory in real life situation, lets prepare ourselves this potential 2019 Section B Open-ended question :-
(based on this past week incident)

Explain using scientific terminology, why floor tiles suddenly produce a loud, fire-cracking \"popping\" sound.

refer 700 cases of cracking, reported

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/700-cases-of-popping-floor-tiles-reported-in-first-half-of-9866842

[Dino]

phtthp:

Hi piggies,


SEAB (Sg PSLE Examination Board) often like to test us Science concepts, based on Application of scientific theory in real life situation, lets prepare ourselves this potential 2019 Section B Open-ended question :-
(based on this past week incident)

Explain using scientific terminology, why floor tiles suddenly produce a loud, fire-cracking \"popping\" sound.

refer 700 cases of cracking, reported

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/700-cases-of-popping-floor-tiles-reported-in-first-half-of-9866842

Thank you phtthp

[passioninlearning]

New post for parents

https://passioninlearning.wordpress.com/2018/01/17/first-written-post-of-2018/

[sembgal]

There is a point of diminishing returns to giving more homework and homework overload can have detrimental effects on learning;


Assignment of homework, if un-regulated and un-coordinated across subjects/departments, can lead to homework overload; and

Amount of homework assigned to students, where appropriate, should be differentiated, such as by academic courses or ability level.

Teachers also need to be mindful that school holidays are meant for students to take a break from formal learning and they should therefore not be given excessive homework. As a guide, if homework is to be given during the school holidays, the daily homework load should not be more than 50% of the daily load given during the school week. No homework is to be administered during major festivals namely, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji and Deepavali.

With the banding of classes for various subjects such as Maths / Mother Tongue, how do school teachers plan how much homework to give students. I urge all school teachers who come to this forum to think how realistic you think your students can complete homework from various subject teachers and yet have to stay back in school at least 3 to 4 times a week till late and to submit homework next day.

Does MOE have a homework policy for all schools? I doubt so. I think it should be time that someone looks into this, be it the principal of the schools or any MOE officials reading this.

[Estéema]

Some schools with good leadership hv teacher co-ordibating with each other at each level to ensure there is no overload of hmwork. At times when the kids hv Competition & challenged to hand up hmwork, on written (email) appeals, were granted extended time to hand up.


In fact, when my kids were in primary schools, the FT advised that they shld not take longer than half/hour to an hour to complete school hmwork as it’s designed to be progressive learning. Not chunks thrown for kids to complete at one seating.

Yes, I agree that all teachers in whatever schools shld not just mindlessly dish out loads of hmwk just to occupy learning space.

I rmbr my kids were quick learners & don’t take very long to complete. They’ve plenty of time to enjoy outings & play-dates whether a movie, trip to Science Centre with frds or swim, etc

Parents & teachers shld help young children to hv balance time and not compromise study or childhood.

[FantasyLandDreams]

sembgal:

There is a point of diminishing returns to giving more homework and homework overload can have detrimental effects on learning;


Assignment of homework, if un-regulated and un-coordinated across subjects/departments, can lead to homework overload; and

Amount of homework assigned to students, where appropriate, should be differentiated, such as by academic courses or ability level.

Teachers also need to be mindful that school holidays are meant for students to take a break from formal learning and they should therefore not be given excessive homework. As a guide, if homework is to be given during the school holidays, the daily homework load should not be more than 50% of the daily load given during the school week. No homework is to be administered during major festivals namely, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji and Deepavali.

With the banding of classes for various subjects such as Maths / Mother Tongue, how do school teachers plan how much homework to give students. I urge all school teachers who come to this forum to think how realistic you think your students can complete homework from various subject teachers and yet have to stay back in school at least 3 to 4 times a week till late and to submit homework next day.

Does MOE have a homework policy for all schools? I doubt so. I think it should be time that someone looks into this, be it the principal of the schools or any MOE officials reading this.

Your dd has a lot of homework ah?

I have been monitoring the homework load this year and I think it boils down to the below few factors for my side:
- syf this year and hence more practice sessions and therefore less time to do homework ( my p6 mummy friends were telling me it is even more stressful if syf is in your P6 year)
- mindset of teachers in dishing out homework (quality vs quantity); for example, focus more on problem sums rather than maths workbook for the better classes?
- mindset of teachers in accepting homework one day later ( ok for my side)
- willingness of teacher to listen to feedback from students ( luckily feedback was accepted by some teachers that Friday's homework are not to be handed in on Monday but Tuesday instead because the vocal ones told teachers they are crammed with tuition, piano and ballet on weekends and there is no way to finish)
- HCL compre requires 'more time' to think through answers as it is a new format to them ( 2-3 day turn around period for some homework that require more thinking)

Maybe you can try have a word with teachers to see if they are open to feedback and make some tweaks here and there? JMHO because so far our teachers have been making above tweaks mentioned in ' brackets' after hearing from students/ parents.

[sembgal]

With the change in leadership, there will be a redirection of the school focus. As such, I am monitoring the homework load before I do any feedback. I welcome homework but Teachers must be mindful of giving too much homework on a Thursday so they can mark homework over the weekends. It would be justifiable to extend Thursday homework to Friday or spread out over 2 days.

[love1001]

Homework is one area that MOE should step in and provide some guidance and ensure it is consistent across all schools. So far, my daughter’s school is the only one that remains the most chilled. My P4 and P5 are able to complete their homework within an hour. On certain days, they can complete within 30 to 45 min. Sometimes there isn’t any at all. My take is school can dish out a little more. In comparison, I always hear from friends that children (from the elite schools) have no time for play/ swim or watch TV. It is already a huge relief if they can complete all their schoolwork before 10pm. Frequently, sleep is compromised because of hw and in this growing up age, having sufficient hours of sleep is very important.