Is Algebra allowed for PSLE Math?
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lee_yl\" post_id=\"2105742\" time=\"1681691292\" user_id=\"17023:
I don’t know about girls vs boys, but it may be relatively easier for visual learners. Model method is like going into the grocery store, you pick out 2 apples and 3 oranges and then u solve the problem by finding the prices or quality. Really Just need to practice. Try to play games with Lego or blocks. The policies set by the education ministry usually aims to cater to the majority of our children population.
DH says model method is easier to visualize for girls, in general whereas boys generally can handle abstract concepts in algebra better. Not sure how true. -
san20sg\" post_id=\"2105737\" time=\"1681688748\" user_id=\"76391:
Hi San20sg,
My son couldn't visualize the model method too and always spend too much time drawing the model because he was very fussy about drawing straight lines and keep rubbing to get the perfect model. Then after that, he couldn't cut the model drawing because he couldn't visualize well.
The algebraic way is much simpler, but he insisted to do the model method way because he is scared of his teacher. Why does the primary school system have to be so rigid?
The school bookshop sells model drawing stencil, you might want to buy one for your child. It’s useful for younger children as the child just needs to trace the blocks out. My child wasn’t particular about the neatness of the models, so she uses freehand. As long as the equations and answers are correct marks will be rewarded. I recall the drawing of models are also not given marks (so no need to draw it perfectly).
I would suggest to bring him to the supermarket or allow him time to play with blocks or Lego.. or use those math block-units that they use in kindergarten. It will help in visualizing, it is definitely an essential skill that can be learnt.
Personally, I don’t find algebra easier although in our generation we only use algebra. Your son may be exposed to algebra first and thus he finds it easier. I think it is easier for kids to pick up model methods if they have not been exposed to algebra. Your son is smart to use the method preferred by his teacher, he is after all in school to learn these. The education system has to cater to majority of the school population, not just those of us who are fluent in algebra or have extra help at home/tuition. -
MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2105740\" time=\"1681690049\" user_id=\"43981:
Agree with you, MrsKiasu. Indeed those are rudimentary questions where if you visualize, you already know/see the answers.
Ok..let's forget the fact that we adult working on the P3 /P4 papers.
For students who know model mtd. The 2 qns can be solved without using paper and pen. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2105747\" time=\"1681695597\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2105747 time=1681695597 user_id=53606]
This is the reality in life, both me and DH are not stupid but only weak in English and because English is the official language, both of us didn't even had a chance to go for tertiary education. Actually we are good at Chinese Language.
We do what we need to do to get by. But don’t let it become the whole world and affect your confidence or your child’s confidence.
Let me give an analogy. If let’s say one day a king takes over and imposes a new law: “All people in this country must eat noodles using left hand to hold & manipulate their chopsticks.”
The left-handers will rejoice. The right-handers will have to work hard & practice harder to become less clumsy using their left hand to eat noodles. It is time-consuming, it drives them crazy when their brain tells them it is not the easiest way for them, but they will do it if need be, to conform and not be penalized.[/quote] -
Why PSLE math is difficult:
https://youtu.be/-gMoxy2tBFQ -
bbbay\" post_id=\"2109129\" time=\"1684665277\" user_id=\"175278:
Ya, saw this article causing a stir in the parents chatgroups.
Why PSLE math is difficult:
https://youtu.be/-gMoxy2tBFQ
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-raise-concerns-on-difficulty-of-psle-maths-at-st-s-smart-parenting-forum
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-raise-concerns-on-difficulty-of-psle-maths-at-st-s-smart-parenting-forum![](\"https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/large30x20/public/articles/2023/05/20/20230520918253055a4e78d1-e268-476a-b166-ec62dcb721fe_2.jpg?VersionId=.MhAxlel1rY4r3H0011tfZ_atSkRUaX8&itok=bx2m4IFh\")
https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/large30x20/public/articles/2023/05/20/20230520918253055a4e78d1-e268-476a-b166-ec62dcb721fe_2.jpg?VersionId=.MhAxlel1rY4r3H0011tfZ_atSkRUaX8&itok=bx2m4IFh\">
Primary School Leaving Examination mathematics exams have been a source of angst over the years, with parents complaining about their difficulty. On Saturday, this issue was again brought up by parents at a forum organised by The Straits Times.
One parent felt that questions that were once set for Primary 5 examinations are now being asked at a lower level.
Another audience member said children may not have the maturity to understand some real-life topics that are used in mathematics problems, like interest rates.
“We went through a simpler system – does that mean we are any worse than this generation? We are teaching kids too much, too fast,” the person added.
Responding to these comments, Ministry of Education (MOE) deputy director-general of education for curriculum Sng Chern Wei said the curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure it is age-appropriate.
He added that schools are mindful not to teach concepts beyond what each age group can handle.
Said Mr Sng: “If we teach them today like how we were taught 20 years ago, we can’t say we are preparing them fairly for the future.”
He was speaking at The Straits Times Smart Parenting Forum on PSLE preparation, which was held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and attended by more than 230 people.
Mathematics was a hot topic, with several people asking why the examination questions seemed so hard to solve.
Mr Sng said the examination paper has to be designed with a range of difficulty levels, in order to gauge each pupil’s level of mastery.
“There are difficult questions that are meant to not be solved by everyone. You may see two or three items like that in a year.”
He pointed out that while an easy paper will give a child an impression that he or she has done well, it may not be helpful when it comes to making a recommendation as to which level of mathematics in secondary school the individual should take.
The new scoring system for PSLE was another topic discussed during the forum.
The 2022 cohort of Primary 6 pupils was the second batch to sit the PSLE under the new system, where pupils are given an achievement level (AL) ranging from one to eight for each subject, instead of grades such as A* to E.
A PSLE score is now the sum of a pupil’s ALs, with the best possible total score being four, and 32 the worst.
Some parents raised concerns about the large range of marks for some of the lower achievement levels.
Mr Sng noted that while inserting a few more achievement levels would make the scores more finely differentiated, it would not be desirable.
“It does not make sense for such young students at PSLE to be subject to even more finely differentiated grading systems than the O- or A-level examinations,” he said.
In a discussion with ST senior education correspondent Sandra Davie, Mr Sng spoke about full subject-based banding (SBB), which will be implemented in 2024 across secondary schools.
The system has been piloted in some schools here since 2020.
Full SBB means that the current Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streaming system will no longer be used. Instead, students can take each subject at their preferred difficulty level.
Mr Sng said students have different strengths and interests across different disciplines, so having a more customised curriculum makes more sense in terms of catering to their needs.
“This will be the landscape that your child will experience when they go into a secondary school, and hopefully it is one that will allow them to really reach their full potential across the different subjects they are taking.”
Assuring worried parents in the audience, Mr Sng added that the love for one’s child should not be conditional on PSLE results, and this must be made clear to children.
“Help them believe that their self-worth and value is not contingent on examination grades,” he said.
“They must have talent, dreams and aspirations that cut across different areas and go beyond just narrow academic development.”
He added: “We must not give the child an impression that if they don’t do well in PSLE, they are somehow less valued, less important or less lovable. Even if they do not do as well as you hope for, that is definitely not the end of the world.” -
tinker_bell\" post_id=\"2109161\" time=\"1684677384\" user_id=\"194652:
My intention is to provide the reporting again in video format, for those prefer to watch then read.
Ya, saw this article causing a stir in the parents chatgroups.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-raise-concerns-on-difficulty-of-psle-maths-at-st-s-smart-parenting-forum
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-raise-concerns-on-difficulty-of-psle-maths-at-st-s-smart-parenting-forum
Primary School Leaving Examination mathematics exams have been a source of angst over the years, with parents complaining about their difficulty. On Saturday, this issue was again brought up by parents at a forum organised by The Straits Times.
One parent felt that questions that were once set for Primary 5 examinations are now being asked at a lower level.
Another audience member said children may not have the maturity to understand some real-life topics that are used in mathematics problems, like interest rates.
“We went through a simpler system – does that mean we are any worse than this generation? We are teaching kids too much, too fast,” the person added.
Responding to these comments, Ministry of Education (MOE) deputy director-general of education for curriculum Sng Chern Wei said the curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure it is age-appropriate.
He added that schools are mindful not to teach concepts beyond what each age group can handle.
Said Mr Sng: “If we teach them today like how we were taught 20 years ago, we can’t say we are preparing them fairly for the future.”
He was speaking at The Straits Times Smart Parenting Forum on PSLE preparation, which was held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and attended by more than 230 people.
Mathematics was a hot topic, with several people asking why the examination questions seemed so hard to solve.
Mr Sng said the examination paper has to be designed with a range of difficulty levels, in order to gauge each pupil’s level of mastery.
“There are difficult questions that are meant to not be solved by everyone. You may see two or three items like that in a year.”
He pointed out that while an easy paper will give a child an impression that he or she has done well, it may not be helpful when it comes to making a recommendation as to which level of mathematics in secondary school the individual should take.
The new scoring system for PSLE was another topic discussed during the forum.
The 2022 cohort of Primary 6 pupils was the second batch to sit the PSLE under the new system, where pupils are given an achievement level (AL) ranging from one to eight for each subject, instead of grades such as A* to E.
A PSLE score is now the sum of a pupil’s ALs, with the best possible total score being four, and 32 the worst.
Some parents raised concerns about the large range of marks for some of the lower achievement levels.
Mr Sng noted that while inserting a few more achievement levels would make the scores more finely differentiated, it would not be desirable.
“It does not make sense for such young students at PSLE to be subject to even more finely differentiated grading systems than the O- or A-level examinations,” he said.
In a discussion with ST senior education correspondent Sandra Davie, Mr Sng spoke about full subject-based banding (SBB), which will be implemented in 2024 across secondary schools.
The system has been piloted in some schools here since 2020.
Full SBB means that the current Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streaming system will no longer be used. Instead, students can take each subject at their preferred difficulty level.
Mr Sng said students have different strengths and interests across different disciplines, so having a more customised curriculum makes more sense in terms of catering to their needs.
“This will be the landscape that your child will experience when they go into a secondary school, and hopefully it is one that will allow them to really reach their full potential across the different subjects they are taking.”
Assuring worried parents in the audience, Mr Sng added that the love for one’s child should not be conditional on PSLE results, and this must be made clear to children.
“Help them believe that their self-worth and value is not contingent on examination grades,” he said.
“They must have talent, dreams and aspirations that cut across different areas and go beyond just narrow academic development.”
He added: “We must not give the child an impression that if they don’t do well in PSLE, they are somehow less valued, less important or less lovable. Even if they do not do as well as you hope for, that is definitely not the end of the world.” -
bbbay\" post_id=\"2109179\" time=\"1684711162\" user_id=\"175278:
Thank you for sharing @bbbay!
My intention is to provide the reporting again in video format, for those prefer to watch then read. -
tinker_bell\" post_id=\"2109161\" time=\"1684677384\" user_id=\"194652:
Ya, saw this article causing a stir in the parents chatgroups.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-raise-concerns-on-difficulty-of-psle-maths-at-st-s-smart-parenting-forum
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parents-raise-concerns-on-difficulty-of-psle-maths-at-st-s-smart-parenting-forum
Primary School Leaving Examination mathematics exams have been a source of angst over the years, with parents complaining about their difficulty. On Saturday, this issue was again brought up by parents at a forum organised by The Straits Times.
One parent felt that questions that were once set for Primary 5 examinations are now being asked at a lower level.
Another audience member said children may not have the maturity to understand some real-life topics that are used in mathematics problems, like interest rates.
“We went through a simpler system – does that mean we are any worse than this generation? We are teaching kids too much, too fast,” the person added.
Responding to these comments, Ministry of Education (MOE) deputy director-general of education for curriculum Sng Chern Wei said the curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure it is age-appropriate.
He added that schools are mindful not to teach concepts beyond what each age group can handle.
Said Mr Sng: “If we teach them today like how we were taught 20 years ago, we can’t say we are preparing them fairly for the future.”
He was speaking at The Straits Times Smart Parenting Forum on PSLE preparation, which was held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and attended by more than 230 people.
Mathematics was a hot topic, with several people asking why the examination questions seemed so hard to solve.
Mr Sng said the examination paper has to be designed with a range of difficulty levels, in order to gauge each pupil’s level of mastery.
“There are difficult questions that are meant to not be solved by everyone. You may see two or three items like that in a year.”
He pointed out that while an easy paper will give a child an impression that he or she has done well, it may not be helpful when it comes to making a recommendation as to which level of mathematics in secondary school the individual should take.
The new scoring system for PSLE was another topic discussed during the forum.
The 2022 cohort of Primary 6 pupils was the second batch to sit the PSLE under the new system, where pupils are given an achievement level (AL) ranging from one to eight for each subject, instead of grades such as A* to E.
A PSLE score is now the sum of a pupil’s ALs, with the best possible total score being four, and 32 the worst.
Some parents raised concerns about the large range of marks for some of the lower achievement levels.
Mr Sng noted that while inserting a few more achievement levels would make the scores more finely differentiated, it would not be desirable.
“It does not make sense for such young students at PSLE to be subject to even more finely differentiated grading systems than the O- or A-level examinations,” he said.
In a discussion with ST senior education correspondent Sandra Davie, Mr Sng spoke about full subject-based banding (SBB), which will be implemented in 2024 across secondary schools.
The system has been piloted in some schools here since 2020.
Full SBB means that the current Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streaming system will no longer be used. Instead, students can take each subject at their preferred difficulty level.
Mr Sng said students have different strengths and interests across different disciplines, so having a more customised curriculum makes more sense in terms of catering to their needs.
“This will be the landscape that your child will experience when they go into a secondary school, and hopefully it is one that will allow them to really reach their full potential across the different subjects they are taking.”
Assuring worried parents in the audience, Mr Sng added that the love for one’s child should not be conditional on PSLE results, and this must be made clear to children.
“Help them believe that their self-worth and value is not contingent on examination grades,” he said.
“They must have talent, dreams and aspirations that cut across different areas and go beyond just narrow academic development.”
He added: “We must not give the child an impression that if they don’t do well in PSLE, they are somehow less valued, less important or less lovable. Even if they do not do as well as you hope for, that is definitely not the end of the world.”
:censored: -
------------------------
LATEST UPDATE
------------------------
The final judgement has been delivered. My son's school unwaveringly stands by the HOD's policy to blanket ban Algebra. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement, but I am steadfast in refusing to let hiccups like this stop the PSLE preparation momentum.
Strangely, my son's Pri.5 Math teacher can't teach the standard Model drawing techniques in a way that appeals to the students in the class either. So every lesson basically consists of my son and the classmates copying the suggested solutions as corrections, off the projector screen, even if they had derived the accurate final answer.
Myself and the other parents are stuck between a rock and a hard place. We are planning to send our children to a PSLE Math Specialist that is well recommended by friends who have been through the PSLE process.
Please email me at [email protected] to share any other recommendations or suggestions on how I should proceed moving forward. DO NOT ask for my son's school or class. Only serious and sincere emails will be replied to. All correspondence are to be kept private & confidential.
Further information will be provided in due course.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?
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