2019 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2007)
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Iluvmygals\" post_id=\"1939672\" time=\"1570115299\" user_id=\"26453:
Totally agree, the solutions presented so far are too complex. Don't use algebra or units & parts to confuse the kid. In fact, this qn does not involve any properties of circle either. You just need to see that the overlapping parts are of the same length then you can use logic to derive the other parts. Pls see my pic and logic here.
I think the solutions by the tuition centers over complicate the questions.
Just need to focus on the 2 semi circles by the side you will see the length. Don't need algebra, don't need shift the semi circles here and there.....simple circle properties will do.
https://postimg.cc/bZpQGXVK
1. The green line shows the part where the 2 semicircles overlap: they are of the same length on each of the semicircle.
2. Hence, the orange lines must be the same length (i.e. 22cm) as the semicircles are identical.
3. Thus, you can derive the purple part as 22-12=10
Do the same for the other side (highlighted in pink) then you can add them to get 10 +16+10=36
Hence the working can be done in just 2 or 3 lines.
https://postimg.cc/TKbsrNmV -
post PSLE activities
(prepare for Secondary school / Junior college)
anyone know (can advise)
- where to learn typing (instead of using 2 finger), and
- where (any course) to train students how to take down lecture notes fast, during a lecture (lesson ) ?
Thank you, for kind suggestion -
cutepandabear\" post_id=\"1939512\" time=\"1570078309\" user_id=\"150031:
Too early to buy laptop, unless you know which school your child will get into.
I don't know where to post this question. I looked at the secondary threads. But don't know where to post. Or maybe never look hard enough.
So anyway I just ask here. Maybe other parents have similar thoughts.
I want to buy a laptop for kid's use in secondary school. Thinking that upcoming Tech Show, Sitex and Megatex IT fairs should have good deals. But is there such a thing as secondary students buy laptop through school, maybe school negotiates a good deal with vendor?
And I see sec school kids carry laptop to school. So lightweight and portability and battery life most important factors in choosing yes? Not biggest screen possible?
And can I say, that should not get Apple, cos of campatabilty issues? I assume kids will collaborate and share docs on projects?
Some schools have computer labs which students can use. Some schools need students to bring laptops everyday, and specifically only Mac allow due to school portals are optimised for Apple. My elder sec 4 now do not own laptop, younger one need laptop from sec 1 everyday. -
phtthp\" post_id=\"1939706\" time=\"1570151931\" user_id=\"35251:
Years ago, I bought a CD-ROM (yes, it was that long ago!) of a typing tutorial software \"Mavis Beacon\" for my kids. It wasn't the most exciting, but it had some games etc. It was also very systematic and effective - my kids learned to type fairly quickly (over 30wpm) in a few months of using it about 10 mins at a time, 3 times a week. They were about 8 and 10 yo at the time. I saw that they have a free (probably old) version to download, or free trials of more recent versions (not sure how long the trial lasts), but it's worth a go. I have not seen later versions, so can't comment on these.
post PSLE activities
(prepare for Secondary school / Junior college)
anyone know (can advise)
- where to learn typing (instead of using 2 finger), and
- where (any course) to train students how to take down lecture notes fast, during a lecture (lesson ) ?
Thank you, for kind suggestion
http://www.mavisbeaconfree.com/2014/11/mavis-beacon-software-versions.html#Versions
There are other free typing tutorial websites - can give them a try too. But I find that those that are just games are not systematic enough, and don't give enough good practice.
Taking notes - I'm not sure. I and my kids just learnt with practice and experience. If you want to give them practice, maybe get them to listen to TV shows or Youtube videos and practise taking notes? Maybe introduce them to mindmaps if that helps? Personally, I'm a linear thinker, so I don't find mindmaps helpful, but some people do. Anyway, there are lots of notes handed out in schools these days, so it's not necessary to take a lot of notes. I think that taking down copious lecture notes is not really a good way to learn - it's better to focus on understanding during the lessons and just take down a few notes or pointers, and make separate revision notes later after reading and reflection. -
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1939713\" time=\"1570153575\" user_id=\"28674:
Thank you slmkhoo.
Years ago, I bought a CD-ROM (yes, it was that long ago!) of a typing tutorial software \"Mavis Beacon\" for my kids. It wasn't the most exciting, but it had some games etc. It was also very systematic and effective - my kids learned to type fairly quickly (over 30wpm) in a few months of using it about 10 mins at a time, 3 times a week. They were about 8 and 10 yo at the time. I saw that they have a free (probably old) version to download, or free trials of more recent versions (not sure how long the trial lasts), but it's worth a go. I have not seen later versions, so can't comment on these.phtthp\" post_id=\"1939706\" time=\"1570151931\" user_id=\"35251:
post PSLE activities
(prepare for Secondary school / Junior college)
anyone know (can advise)
- where to learn typing (instead of using 2 finger), and
- where (any course) to train students how to take down lecture notes fast, during a lecture (lesson ) ?
Thank you, for kind suggestion
http://www.mavisbeaconfree.com/2014/11/mavis-beacon-software-versions.html#Versions
There are other free typing tutorial websites - can give them a try too. But I find that those that are just games are not systematic enough, and don't give enough good practice.
Taking notes - I'm not sure. I and my kids just learnt with practice and experience. If you want to give them practice, maybe get them to listen to TV shows or Youtube videos and practise taking notes? Maybe introduce them to mindmaps if that helps? Personally, I'm a linear thinker, so I don't find mindmaps helpful, but some people do. Anyway, there are lots of notes handed out in schools these days, so it's not necessary to take a lot of notes. I think that taking down copious lecture notes is not really a good way to learn - it's better to focus on understanding during the lessons and just take down a few notes or pointers, and make separate revision notes later after reading and reflection. -
Thank you, simkhoo, for kind sharing
Thank you, Swc & simkhoo, for kind advice (post psle activities) -
hazeline\" post_id=\"1939316\" time=\"1569988022\" user_id=\"18065:
I have a carton of books and past year papers to give away.
If anyone has any P6 assessment books or exam papers to give away, do pm me. I am happy to collect from you. Have a P6 next year.
I am not fussy, don't mind partial done ones. Thank you very much in advance.
Congratulations in completing your pri school education! All the best!
Need you to choose and pick from Toa Payoh
After you choose, you decide how much token you want to give, no obligation.
PM if you are interested.
There are textbooks, Science guidebooks, undone year 2018 past year papers, undone andpartially done assessment books........ -
jumpingjacks\" post_id=\"1939677\" time=\"1570118362\" user_id=\"56373:
I think your solution is still overly complicated. There is no need to shift the semi-circles nor visualize anything. The solution is just 3 lines, does not involve algebra and easier than model method:
Totally agree, the solutions presented so far are too complex. Don't use algebra or units & parts to confuse the kid. In fact, this qn does not involve any properties of circle either. You just need to see that the overlapping parts are of the same length then you can use logic to derive the other parts. Pls see my pic and logic here.Iluvmygals\" post_id=\"1939672\" time=\"1570115299\" user_id=\"26453:
I think the solutions by the tuition centers over complicate the questions.
Just need to focus on the 2 semi circles by the side you will see the length. Don't need algebra, don't need shift the semi circles here and there.....simple circle properties will do.
https://postimg.cc/bZpQGXVK
1. The green line shows the part where the 2 semicircles overlap: they are of the same length on each of the semicircle.
2. Hence, the orange lines must be the same length (i.e. 22cm) as the semicircles are identical.
3. Thus, you can derive the purple part as 22-12=10
Do the same for the other side (highlighted in pink) then you can add them to get 10 +16+10=36
Hence the working can be done in just 2 or 3 lines.
https://postimg.cc/TKbsrNmV
Top=Bottom
3D + 12 + 12 = 2D +22 + 22 +16
D = 36
As for the triangle question part (c), the suggested solution by one of the tutor is overly complicated too, and he is a tutor! Primary school maths and national exams do not need rocket science to solve, to a certain extent,it extends to math olympiad questions too. So one additional heuristic should be added to the top of your tools, and that's the maxim \"PSLE question is meant to be easy, there has to be a shortcut somewhere.\"
The solution for the triangle question part (c) is:
Note that the difference between the white and grey triangles are 1, -2, 3, -4, 5, -6,....., 249, -250
So there are 250 more grey triangles than white triangles
So there are (62500-250) / 2 = 31125 white triangles
31125+250=31375 grey triangles
But even though the questions do not need elaborate solutions, it does not mean they are easy to comprehend and frame a solution, especially when most PSLE students would not have exposure to these question styles. This put an unfair advantage to GEP, E2K students and MO trained students who have gotten exposure to these question types. There is also an element of luck in being able to find the key to the above solution. Under exam stress and time constraint, sometimes you just can't 'see' it.
MOE promulgate the belief that all schools are good schools. I agree, but I also believe that some schools are better. The better schools would be able to better prepare/expose the students for these questions. The field is not even, and toughening the PSLE would make the field even more uneven. This totally run contrary to MOE's new mission to de-stress the educational system. The trend of tougher questions simply pushes parents to seek more help to tackle them, math olympiad classes will get more business and less well off students get left behind. OYK was still asking parents not to send their kids to tuition centres when they scrap some of the exams? The change to the AL system is supposedly for students to be graded based on their individual performance and they will no longer be as finely differentiated. If you are setting a tough question that almost every student has not seen before, then fine. But if some have better exposure, then they are definitely well differentiated. -
entei17\" post_id=\"1939792\" time=\"1570178140\" user_id=\"162440:
not necessary only GEP, and MO trained students will get exposures to such questions.
I think your solution is still overly complicated. There is no need to shift the semi-circles nor visualize anything. The solution is just 3 lines, does not involve algebra and easier than model method:
Top=Bottom
3D + 12 + 12 = 2D +22 + 22 +16
D = 36
As for the triangle question part (c), the suggested solution by one of the tutor is overly complicated too, and he is a tutor! Primary school maths and national exams do not need rocket science to solve, to a certain extent,it extends to math olympiad questions too. So one additional heuristic should be added to the top of your tools, and that's the maxim \"PSLE question is meant to be easy, there has to be a shortcut somewhere.\"
The solution for the triangle question part (c) is:
Note that the difference between the white and grey triangles are 1, -2, 3, -4, 5, -6,....., 249, -250
So there are 250 more grey triangles than white triangles
So there are (62500-250) / 2 = 31125 white triangles
31125+250=31375 grey triangles
But even though the questions do not need elaborate solutions, it does not mean they are easy to comprehend and frame a solution, especially when most PSLE students would not have exposure to these question styles. This put an unfair advantage to GEP, E2K students and MO trained students who have gotten exposure to these question types. There is also an element of luck in being able to find the key to the above solution. Under exam stress and time constraint, sometimes you just can't 'see' it.
MOE promulgate the belief that all schools are good schools. I agree, but I also believe that some schools are better. The better schools would be able to better prepare/expose the students for these questions. The field is not even, and toughening the PSLE would make the field even more uneven. This totally run contrary to MOE's new mission to de-stress the educational system. The trend of tougher questions simply pushes parents to seek more help to tackle them, math olympiad classes will get more business and less well off students get left behind. OYK was still asking parents not to send their kids to tuition centres when they scrap some of the exams? The change to the AL system is supposedly for students to be graded based on their individual performance and they will no longer be as finely differentiated. If you are setting a tough question that almost every student has not seen before, then fine. But if some have better exposure, then they are definitely well differentiated.
my DD, she is not GEP, not in the top 2 elite classes, never MO trained, she did lots of practices on past year papers and assessment books. she managed to solve these questions. same for her classmates. they are in a neighbourhood school only. all her classmates agree is tough, but no one cried, no one looks defeated. they managed to attempted all the Maths questions mentioned in the recently social media posts -
dylanmummy2003\" post_id=\"1939794\" time=\"1570179164\" user_id=\"116705:
not necessary only GEP, and MO trained students will get exposures to such questions.entei17\" post_id=\"1939792\" time=\"1570178140\" user_id=\"162440:
I think your solution is still overly complicated. There is no need to shift the semi-circles nor visualize anything. The solution is just 3 lines, does not involve algebra and easier than model method:
Top=Bottom
3D + 12 + 12 = 2D +22 + 22 +16
D = 36
As for the triangle question part (c), the suggested solution by one of the tutor is overly complicated too, and he is a tutor! Primary school maths and national exams do not need rocket science to solve, to a certain extent,it extends to math olympiad questions too. So one additional heuristic should be added to the top of your tools, and that's the maxim \"PSLE question is meant to be easy, there has to be a shortcut somewhere.\"
The solution for the triangle question part (c) is:
Note that the difference between the white and grey triangles are 1, -2, 3, -4, 5, -6,....., 249, -250
So there are 250 more grey triangles than white triangles
So there are (62500-250) / 2 = 31125 white triangles
31125+250=31375 grey triangles
But even though the questions do not need elaborate solutions, it does not mean they are easy to comprehend and frame a solution, especially when most PSLE students would not have exposure to these question styles. This put an unfair advantage to GEP, E2K students and MO trained students who have gotten exposure to these question types. There is also an element of luck in being able to find the key to the above solution. Under exam stress and time constraint, sometimes you just can't 'see' it.
MOE promulgate the belief that all schools are good schools. I agree, but I also believe that some schools are better. The better schools would be able to better prepare/expose the students for these questions. The field is not even, and toughening the PSLE would make the field even more uneven. This totally run contrary to MOE's new mission to de-stress the educational system. The trend of tougher questions simply pushes parents to seek more help to tackle them, math olympiad classes will get more business and less well off students get left behind. OYK was still asking parents not to send their kids to tuition centres when they scrap some of the exams? The change to the AL system is supposedly for students to be graded based on their individual performance and they will no longer be as finely differentiated. If you are setting a tough question that almost every student has not seen before, then fine. But if some have better exposure, then they are definitely well differentiated.
my DD, she is not GEP, not in the top 2 elite classes, never MO trained, she did lots of practices on past year papers and assessment books. she managed to solve these questions. same for her classmates. they are in a neighbourhood school only. all her classmates agree is tough, but no one cried, no one looks defeated. they managed to attempted all the Maths questions mentioned in the recently social media posts
Agree with dylanmummy2003.
Same with my DS and his classmates. He is also not GEP nor MO trained, no tution and from a neighbourhood school also.
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