All About English Creative Writing

[tracychew]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2074697\" time=\"1657932305\" user_id=\"28674:

I don't know if you have already found a class. Just a couple of suggestions that you (or anyone with kids who are having difficulties with sentences) could try at home:
- try to speak complete sentences in one language, without mixing. The kids will then be able to compose complete sentences for compo purposes.
- read aloud to your kids from storybooks, and get them to read aloud as well. They will then learn the rhythms of the language, and also learn how to use complete sentences, and widen their vocab. Even if they are now older, do some reading aloud - from newspaper articles, snatches of books/articles you think might interest them, etc.
- get kids to do \"leisure writing\" - anything that they want, and not school compos! Letters, diaries, instruction manuals for some game, their own stories. Just getting the practice writing is good, and working on school compos will be easier (but of course more boring, but what to do?)

These are tried and true methods used on my own kids who are both grown-up now.

Thank you so much for this detailed reply! I will forward this to my friends with younger children!! They would love it too!!

For me it was a few years back and I switched between a private home tutor for the personal attention at the start.. and centre (TAS) once my child was more independent.. I did try reading lots of storybooks aloud too! I think my own english improved after that

[EN Parent]

Looking for a P6 writing class for weekdays. 3pm if possible. Any recommendation?

[springin2020]

Hi Parents,


I just ride on this thread, I would like to check if any parents send their child to MindChamps writing class in Junction 10 branch, how is it?

cheers, Mymmy

[Vamos]

Hi everyone. Just to find out which is the best online course for PSLE cohort in terms of their teaching & marking feedback? E.g. Chalkboard Academy, Writing Samurai, Big Ideaz etc.

[manorway]

Vamos\" post_id=\"2109192\" time=\"1684726490\" user_id=\"200806:

Hi everyone. Just to find out which is the best online course for PSLE cohort in terms of their teaching & marking feedback? E.g. Chalkboard Academy, Writing Samurai, Big Ideaz etc.

Best if parents can share examples.

Chalkboard academy class only writes 1 story though parents pay for 6 hours of lessons. Pricey. Give kids model compo to read. But reading model compo does not mean kids can apply in their own writing. If kids can apply from JUST reading others' stories, they would ALREADY have done so by P6.

[Vamos]

Noted with thanks, Manorway.


Hope any parents can share & recommend about online creative writing providers.

[ChiefKiasu]

manorway\" post_id=\"2109201\" time=\"1684731403\" user_id=\"9303:

Best if parents can share examples.

Chalkboard academy class only writes 1 story though parents pay for 6 hours of lessons. Pricey. Give kids model compo to read. But reading model compo does not mean kids can apply in their own writing. If kids can apply from JUST reading others' stories, they would ALREADY have done so by P6.

But isn't the process of learning about learning from others? You read a story, then critique it from various angles to explore the different meaning to the story. Of course, if the tutor only chucks the story to the kids and tell them to memorize it by heart, well... that's rote learning, and it doesn't really do anything for the kids. Maybe combine it with a catchy jingle... that's how I still remember 人之初，性本尚...

[manorway]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2109304\" time=\"1684764936\" user_id=\"3:

But isn't the process of learning about learning from others? You read a story, then critique it from various angles to explore the different meaning to the story. Of course, if the tutor only chucks the story to the kids and tell them to memorize it by heart, well... that's rote learning, and it doesn't really do anything for the kids. Maybe combine it with a catchy jingle... that's how I still remember 人之初，性本尚...

If there isn't another option, then reading model stories are better than praying.

But if one has the option to learn how to write, apply what they have learnt by writing their own stories and get feedback to know if they are on the right track, then isn't it better than just reading?

Learning to critique a story from various angles is an advanced skill that can be taught and learnt but I doubt many 12 year old can pick up in a masterclass or holiday class that is conducted over just 1 or 2 days. Those who can are already advanced writers or high abilities learners, who probably won't be searching for a writing class at this time of Pri 6.

It is so much less work for the teacher if he only has to mark just one story per student. Giving students 20 or 30 stories to read on his own is easy. No way for parents/students to know if after reading, the students can apply.

[mystique_j]

Vamos\" post_id=\"2109192\" time=\"1684726490\" user_id=\"200806:

Hi everyone. Just to find out which is the best online course for PSLE cohort in terms of their teaching & marking feedback? E.g. Chalkboard Academy, Writing Samurai, Big Ideaz etc.

Writing Samurai’s online course is actually pre-recorded, not sure if you are aware. And they release the recorded lessons weekly. So if you are talking about this year PSLE exam, I’m not sure if sufficient skills will be covered by PSLE.

In terms of their teaching and marking, they teach skills for 3 lessons and then 4th lesson write a full compo, more or less follows this cycle. Sometimes it’s 2 skills and then 1 compo. I find the skills they teach, it’s really not bad. My DS did learn a fair bit of useful skills like the different ways of writing an interesting intro as one example. What I like most is their marking scheme, which is very detailed. They gave very good feedback and added a lot good phrases to use. My DS also leant quite alot of good phrases when doing his draft 2. Yes they will mark your draft 2 and even draft 3 ( if needed). I believe you can also send in your child’s school compos for them to mark, which to me, is a HUGE plus point. Their turnaround for marking of compos is also quite good. Within I think 3-5 days but occasionally there’s delays.

The downside I felt was that the topics covered for the compos, may be outdated. Since it’s pre-recorded, I’m not sure when it was last updated. If I rmb correctly, some of the compos are actual PSLE compo topics as well. So if you are looking at writing compos with more updated topics, then it may not fit your needs. But if you are looking at skills, then I think it’s pretty good.
The other downside is more from the kids perspective. It requires a lot of discipline. As the lessons are not live lessons, so sometimes the kids may end up not doing them. And they may also not be disciplined enough to do their draft 2 or 3. Then it’s a waste of money and time.
Oh and the tutor’s voice… abit boring. My son dozed off a number of times while listening to the lesson. 😅

Btw, we didnt complete all the lessons as well, skipped quite a fair bit. Not enough discipline. So we ended up going for a physical writing class.

[Liew Nga Wing]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2109304\" time=\"1684764936\" user_id=\"3:

But isn't the process of learning about learning from others? You read a story, then critique it from various angles to explore the different meaning to the story. Of course, if the tutor only chucks the story to the kids and tell them to memorize it by heart, well... that's rote learning, and it doesn't really do anything for the kids. Maybe combine it with a catchy jingle... that's how I still remember 人之初，性本尚...

人之初，性本善.