Comparing Science Enrichment Programs

[bsk]

Hi

My daughter went to smart scientist lab from P4 to P6 2014 - 2016 and I didn’t find it very effective…I think sometime back they were so popular and not now…
… after burning money for my older one, I didn’t put my younger one in science tuition so far…will wait until SA1 next year and then decide , whether science tuition is required…I also want to find something around this area for my younger girl who will be P5 next year. If u do come across let me know…

[mummyxoxo]

Andrea

mummyxoxo:

Just a penny for thought. I sometimes do not understand why school teachers will propose parents to find 1-1 tuition for their children. Isn't it the school teachers' duties to ensure the students under their care to learn to their best ability? When my dd1 was in her secondary school, I appreciated when her school teachers actually provided 1-1 consultation for their students to actually push them further to a greater height academically. But at the current stage, school teachers (not all but some) tend to propose \"find a private tutor\" as the solution for our children's academic issues. Isn't this, in a way, outsource of responsibilities? Just wondering. Feel free to share how you all feel!

This is an interesting point of view. In my opinion 1:1 tuition and regular class both have advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on the kids learning needs, preferences and the parent budget. Sometimes I've personally seen some students improve amazingly through private 1:1 tuition.

Why this wasn't achieved in the regular class just from the teacher? Well there could be many reasons, but in many cases the child didn't pick some lesson(s) properly in the school and then they feel how they are not keeping the pace with the rest of the class which makes them demotivated.

It's truth that it's the teacher's job to ensure the students under their care to learn to their best ability, but that's the problem with group classes, it is basically impossible that all kids get the same attention and same result after a lesson.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Personally, I too sent my dd1 for 1-1 tuition when she told me she needed the extra push, tips and support to study more effectively and excel.

I do agree that 1-1 lessons are more effective than a big classroom teaching, especially with the personal attention and focus my child will be getting. I am just slightly perplexed as to why some school teachers tend to propose \"tuition\" as the solution to our children's academic. I feel that telling us how to help our students, like practise more on xxx or read more on xxx, are more beneficial advice. It will be good if we as parents have more opportunity to work with the schools to help our children.

[TerryW]

EmilyG:

tyxmummy has definitely found a good science tutor, and I do know the experience of finding one is not easy! I am like many of you a very kiasu mum who was very worried of my boy's result in science after he gave the shock of my life when he failed his science in P4! I was looking for a lot of tutor but didn't really manage to find one that can pique my boy's interest.

Then I came across Tutor Frankie from this website (I can't recall was it last year or so) and decided to give him a try. He is a pretty experienced and strict tutor who has many years of experience teaching science. Being strict works for my boy as he is often lazy and just keep losing focus during class. He was a former science teacher who came out to teach around North East area. He was able to structure lessons in a way my boy can understand, and also go through all his mistakes he made for his finals in P4. He also taught different methods to prepare my boy for finals which is applicable for not just science.
As the school ends today, I am very proud to say that my boy managed to score 84 for his science in his finals this year (He is P5 now). I really give my thanks to Tutor Frankie for helping my boy, and am confident he is going to help my boy ace his PSLE next year! If any of you are interested you can contact him at 81393075. Hope to share this so as your child/children can benefit from his science teaching methods (just as i did!)

Hello EmilyG... just to check whether you know the rates of Tutor Frankie, and where does he travel to teach or do I need to send my kid over for tuition? You can DM me if possible thanks!

[despmom99]

I have been thinking if I should write something here after reading a comment on my child’s ex-tutor posted here but was not feeling well. Then recently, my child and my nephew told me that they were going to visit the ex-tutor during the school holidays as they did not visit her on Teacher’s Day so I was reminded of the post I read.


I showed my child and my nephew the post. Both said, "Probably a misunderstanding la. Teacher Serena will not humiliate the child." I asked them why they said that. They shared that this ex-tutor of theirs had the habit of using the marked worksheet of a pupil sitting near the teacher’s table and her own typed answer key to go through corrections with the class. My child’s worksheet was used before too as he sat near the teacher’s table. I did not know that until the recent conversation. A few questions in the worksheet were not answered properly and one of the friends in the class actually made a comment that was not very kind. Teacher Serena scolded the child.

I guess every child may react to the same tutor or even school teacher different. Every child may also react to a similar situation differently.

My child, my nephew and a few children of friends who studied there actually benefitted a lot from the tutor. She is strict, that is true.She is very frank when she communicates with the parents. That is her style. She also informed us the topics that have Science experiments during parents’ briefing done at the start of the year. She told us she would not conduct experiments for some topics like those on body systems. She is not the "wayang" type so she told us that she or the kids would conduct the experiments so that the class can understand the concepts better. She has her expectations of the kids and will tell the kids if they fall short of expectations. But interestingly, my child and my nephew told me that it is for their own good. I am glad that my child had learnt a lot of study techniques that can be used even now. I know a number of her ex-tutees and their parents would visit her on or near Teacher’s Day. I saw that while waiting for my child to end class a few years ago. All I can say is that one is lucky to meet a tutor who has a heart for the kids.

[mummyxoxo]

despmom99:

I have been thinking if I should write something here after reading a comment on my child's ex-tutor posted here but was not feeling well. Then recently, my child and my nephew told me that they were going to visit the ex-tutor during the school holidays as they did not visit her on Teacher's Day so I was reminded of the post I read.


I showed my child and my nephew the post. Both said, \"Probably a misunderstanding la. Teacher Serena will not humiliate the child.\" I asked them why they said that. They shared that this ex-tutor of theirs had the habit of using the marked worksheet of a pupil sitting near the teacher's table and her own typed answer key to go through corrections with the class. My child's worksheet was used before too as he sat near the teacher's table. I did not know that until the recent conversation. A few questions in the worksheet were not answered properly and one of the friends in the class actually made a comment that was not very kind. Teacher Serena scolded the child.

I guess every child may react to the same tutor or even school teacher different. Every child may also react to a similar situation differently.

My child, my nephew and a few children of friends who studied there actually benefitted a lot from the tutor. She is strict, that is true.She is very frank when she communicates with the parents. That is her style. She also informed us the topics that have Science experiments during parents' briefing done at the start of the year. She told us she would not conduct experiments for some topics like those on body systems. She is not the \"wayang\" type so she told us that she or the kids would conduct the experiments so that the class can understand the concepts better. She has her expectations of the kids and will tell the kids if they fall short of expectations. But interestingly, my child and my nephew told me that it is for their own good. I am glad that my child had learnt a lot of study techniques that can be used even now. I know a number of her ex-tutees and their parents would visit her on or near Teacher's Day. I saw that while waiting for my child to end class a few years ago. All I can say is that one is lucky to meet a tutor who has a heart for the kids.

Sounds relatable like my dd1's ex-tutor. Doing things which are right rather than popular. Glad for those students who are under tutors who genuinely care about their kids.

[MdmJane]

busydad99:

Does anyone have contact for a responsible Science tutor in Sengkang area?

https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=33360&p=1888587#p1888587

Hi BusyDad,

Read above thread sharing.

Just sharing my friend's child experience, you can check it out and verify on that tutor with on your own. Fun learning experience to enhance the child's interest to make progress. The center is near Seng Kang as you seek for. Hope my recommendation, do help your child.

Cheers!

[verre]

Any recommendation for 1-1 tuition or group at buangkok area for P5? Pls pm me.

[sweetbaby]

I agree its all about the right fit. So happy that DS enjoys and does very well in Science. One less subject to worry about. All the best for those still in search of the best option for you.

[meetgyl]

Hi parents,


I am looking to buy P3 to P6 Science materials from Vitamindz Tuition Centre/ vitamindz Newton worksheets. Or Learning Lab Science p3-p6.

Pls pm me if there is any seller. Thanks

[jasterng]

Hi katherin22

Can u recommend the science teacher at TLL?
Which branch ?

Thank you.