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    Is Algebra allowed for PSLE Math?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Primary 6 & PSLE
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    • S Offline
      sushi88
      last edited by

      phtthp\" post_id=\"2104182\" time=\"1680591752\" user_id=\"35251:

      sushi88,

      You know
      who will take the proactive step, of my proposal / suggestion written above?

      I better clarify my stand, outfront here.


      Definitely not you, if u do not have anymore kid sitting for PSLE. And Is also clearly not for any Tom, Dick or Harry who are in P6, too.

      Why ?

      Because

      As mentioned much earlier before, those P6 students who DONT even grasp the concept of Algebra at all, inspite of being taught or exposed to this Algebra concept. Because their brain remain closed up, cannot see. Only those advanced students who are able to grasp the concept of x or y in their mind, then they can do this.

      And also, at this point, I better clarify my definition of \"what do i mean by Algebra concept ? \"
      Just in case u all don't know what am I talking about.

      I am definitely NOT refering to the \"Units and Parts\" method, which is also a form of Algebra already ! Moreover, this \"Parts & Units\" method is DEFINITELY come under Primary School Maths. This \"Parts and Units\" : ALL P6 students, are expected to know, and expected to apply, because
      it is WITHIN your P5 And P6 Maths syllabus.


      No, No, No.
      I am NOT referring to this \"Units and Parts\" Primary school Algebra method.


      I am refering to the LOWER Secondary 1 Algebra method, where students can solve equations, using just one single x or combined both \"x and y\" method, depending on the question that came out in PSLE. Because this method is very powerful, especially. Under very tight time constraint exam condition. However, there is a drawback here. Because not every P6 student, is able to grasp this Algebra concept. Many still cannot. Only minority, can.

      Because there are some P6 students, especially the GEP students or Top Mainstream students, who are very advanced in their Maths, and they often excel in Maths. They always do very well, in their school Maths tests, assessments. Like close to full marks, that type of calibre of students. As such, they always DSA into Top IP schools, using domain \"Maths\" DSA path.

      Why ?

      Because in their GEP Mathematics curriculum, being advanced, they have been taught some of the Lower Secondary 1 concepts, inside their GEP Maths curriculum.

      So please hor, all parents out here, who have read my proposal. You all know your own P6 child very well, because you are the one, that give birth to your own kid.

      Because every child is different ! Some kids are just average, while others are faster, in learning. You ought to know your own child very well. Where is he or she exactly, in learning P6 Maths ?

      If your son or daughter is already or still struggling with \"Parts and Units\" Algebra concept or still struggling with the core, basic, fundamental Maths concepts, please exercise discernment. Do NOT add un-necessary burden or stress, to your poor kid.
      Kindly ignore my proposal.
      You can treat it as nonsense written, because it doesn't apply to your child at all.


      My proposal, is for those :-


      1) whose P6 child Is able to follow or able to understand the \"x\" or \"the x and y\" form of Algebra equations, in their mind. Because they are advanced, in their Maths learning.


      2) for those parents, who are also able to understand Lower Secondary 1 Algebra equation

      AND

      Their P6 children are also able to comprehend. And these parents can guide their children.

      So, I hope I have made myself clear now.

      For those who up to now, still DONT understand what I am trying to say. Never mind. Treat it that I am writing or babbling nonsense. Pls ignore me, totally.

      Thank you, for your understanding.
      phtthp, I know you are doing this out of good intent but you are barking up the wrong tree.
      Kids very well-versed in the higher order algebra are not going to simulate that scenario deliberately.

      I actually can understand why the teacher/HOD is so strict in this and start to see their POV as I reply in this thread.
      And if MOE/SEAB is of the same stance, I can understand why.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Liew Nga WingL Offline
        Liew Nga Wing
        last edited by

        Just state your opinion, no need to be too personal. I think the discussion there is on whether could use algebra for PSLE Maths.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • ChiefKiasuC Offline
          ChiefKiasu
          last edited by

          Sigh... I was about to go to sleep... didn't know that this topic can generate so much hot discussions. Please cool down and stick to the topic instead of each other, or I would be forced to remove posts despite its useful contents.


          PS: Action taken to remove unhelpful posts.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • bbbayB Offline
            bbbay
            last edited by

            On why modelling:


            https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/does-maths-have-to-be-so-difficult

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • K Offline
              kaisuism
              last edited by

              fionachia0034\" post_id=\"2103726\" time=\"1680362237\" user_id=\"201257:

              My son's Pri.5 teacher told the class that Algebra is strictly NOT allowed in her class, or else else no marks will be awarded for the workings.

              I quote the teacher :

              \"If I see let 'x' be oranges and 'y' be bananas, no method mark. If I see equations '2x + 3y = 50' also no method mark. If you use Algebra and you get correct, only answer marks will be given.\"

              Is this true? I have been teaching my son Algebra since young and his Pri.3 and Pri.4 teacher did not make any such comment previously.

              A few parents complained to the school, but the HOD backed the teacher. The HOD said that MOE officially accepts Algebra for use in the PSLE Math exam, but during the marking of the PSLE Math paper, no method marks will be credited if the final answer is wrong. In other words, the student has only 2 possible outcomes if they use Algebra, either get full marks or zero marks for the question. That is why the HOD set a policy to blanket ban Algebra.

              Should we make an official complaint to MOE?
              Some school teachers will enforce this rule because they are trying to get the students to learn model method but fear not, Algebra is allowed in PSLE. You just have to respect the teacher's wish and just make sure your child uses model method when it comes to this teacher's school or homework. In the meantime you can get your child to use algebra to check the answers. You make a big hooha will not help your child at all. We are all from older generation of course we prefer algebra. My child prefers algebra too. FYI I learn model method from my child and I find it useful and I did incorporate into helping my child solving math problem. So it is good to learn as many methods because same as in real life, sometimes we need more than one way to solve problem.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • magicallyM Offline
                magically
                last edited by

                My child acquired knowledge of algebra since P2. Her teacher did not penalize her, but instead advised her to apply the methods that were taught in class. Subsequently, she was accepted into GEP, and since then, she was allowed to apply any methods that she found comfortable. The use of the algebraic method was not uncommon in her class.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • lee_ylL Offline
                  lee_yl
                  last edited by

                  Anyone knows the marking rubric for solving section C questions using algebra?


                  If indeed either full marks for correct answer or zero mark if final answer is wrong, then I think better to use model method unless the P6 kid is very, very sure the final answer is correct!

                  Or else I suppose model method would be better because 2-3 marks may be awarded (for workings) even if the final answer is wrong?

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • K Offline
                    kaisuism
                    last edited by

                    Maybe that’s what happen to Nan Hua and some other students in last year’s PSLE where their math dropped below their expected level.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • tinker_bellT Offline
                      tinker_bell
                      last edited by

                      kaisuism\" post_id=\"2104337\" time=\"1680757356\" user_id=\"199574:

                      Maybe that's what happen to Nan Hua and some other students in last year's PSLE where their math dropped below their expected level.
                      Ya, some parents in one of the parents chatgroup claimed that the entire group of 11 nan hua students used secondary school algebra for their psle mathematics paper, so that is why all did so badly.

                      \"https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/talk/story20221201-1339038\"

                      I found it very odd that SEAB immediately identified the algebra issue as something they have to address, when the zaobao forum letter from the nan hua students parents made no mention of methods used in the exam or even algebra techniques specifically.

                      https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/psle-maths-algebra-full-credit-nan-hua-primary-forum-letter-seab-3131246

                      SEAB knows something that we don't?

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • tinker_bellT Offline
                        tinker_bell
                        last edited by

                        MOE very rigid, forcing everyone to learn the mathematical modeling method just make everyone's life difficult. As if all students are robots waiting to be programmed.


                        No wonder why all the PSLE math tuition centres come out with their own methods.

                        https://www.oodleslearning.com/

                        https://nicklebeetutors.com/

                        https://www.ammielwan.com.sg/

                        https://www.conceptmath.com/

                        https://www.sakamoto.net/

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0

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