All About Preparing For Primary One

[RRMummy]

janet_lee88:

Hi RRMummy,

I seemed to have lost touch with P1 already. Times have really changed

My P1 days were so so different than hers will be.. :lol: No reward in guessing me old mummy...

janet_lee88:

Hi RRMummy,
Hey, let's keep each other posted since our gals are the same age. .

That would be great! :hi5:

janet_lee88:

For my firstborn, honestly I wasn't this worried since it's a boy.

And the transition was smooth for him then?

janet_lee88:

Mock 听写, she got all correct. Maybe this 听写 thing is still new to her. Will practice earlier and get her to learn it more often. Thanks for your advise. Will go through what you mentioned to teach her again.

No, no, not advice la. :oops: me just sharing my experiences. As I have also gained so much from all the experiences shared here... have to find the right way to make my gal tick..

The reason I asked abt the mock:
The first few times my DD had spelling back in K1 she also did all correct for her mock but not the real thing. Not that I minded that she did not score at all but was curious what happened. Firstly, she has no idea that spelling/tingxie needs to be completed within the short time it is given. (My playful gal :roll: )

I later found out that the way the teacher gave the spelling was different than how we did at home. She basically said it twice very quickly instead of like more slowly like ram-bu-tan. So my gal was not use to the style and she did not give much time for kids to think and write. My gal said she did not have chance to write..

So knowing that, we tweaked the way we did the mock at home and everything thereafter was perfect...

But again, so long as we know that our DDs know their words chinese/english whether they scores let's not worry... In fact, too much pressure, may also make them nervous..

..my gal is very sensitive and gives herself unnecessary pressure.. One day, the first thing she said to me when I pick her up was \"Sorry, Mummy\". Reason was because she made mistake in her spelling coz she wrote q instead of p. My silly gal... :lol: Oh course, I reassured her that not getting 5/5 is perfectly fine with me so long as I know she has worked hard and tried her best. :love:

Hope the 'visualing' of the tingxie character will work for your gal too..

:celebrate:

[janet88]

Our P1 days were very different...I think I learnt a lot of stuff only then and NOT during kindy days. Now the child has to know number bonding in K2...yours truly here not exactly a spring chicken. HaHaHa.


And the transition was smooth for him then?
When son went to P1, it was truly a learning experience for all of us. Bcos we didn't know what to expect, neither do we know the school culture. So it was like being dumped in the deep end of the pool, then struggle to float. My poor son

As for spelling/tingxie, I don't stress on her poor marks. No point giving her pressure this year...let her enjoy 4 months more of K2. I don't want to think about it, but I'm very heartbroken to let her go to P1.

[janet88]

Hi RRMummy,

I contacted daughter’s teacher to find out how spelling is given.
She told me that the kids are separated into different groups and each group sits at a round table. She will then say each word 2-3x. When the child has written, he/she will cover the word.

From what I feel, most probably my gal is stressed when she sees her classmates finish fast and then call out to the teacher when done. At her RC class, the kids sit separately. According to her kindy teacher, her K2 is rather loud. Most prob, she will sit them differently next week. I don’t push nor question my gal why she did poorly. In fact, I tell her that effort put in is most important. As for stars, they are a bonus.

My gal needs a lot of motivation to work…I drink lots of water when I have to coach her…thirsty with so much talking. HaHaHa.

[RRMummy]

janet_lee88:

Our P1 days were very different...I think I learnt a lot of stuff only then and NOT during kindy days. Now the child has to know number bonding in K2...

Same here!! In my days, I think the term number bonds was not even invented yet! :lol:

janet_lee88:

yours truly here not exactly a spring chicken. HaHaHa. .

:rotflmao: You very cute!

janet_lee88:

When son went to P1, it was truly a learning experience for all of us. Bcos we didn't know what to expect, neither do we know the school culture. So it was like being dumped in the deep end of the pool, then struggle to float. My poor son .

Oh dear, sounds like it was quite stressful back then.. but I'm sure you have managed to help him 'float and swim' well now..

That is my fear now... first-borns most of the time end up as our 'guinea-pigs'... as much as we think the school we choose for her will be good, there is always the fear that she will not fit well with the culture and expectations of the school... we will never know until we are in it for the real thing...

janet_lee88:

As for spelling/tingxie, I don't stress on her poor marks. No point giving her pressure this year...let her enjoy 4 months more of K2. I don't want to think about it, but I'm very heartbroken to let her go to P1.

Yup we have to manage our own expectations... For you, its like your little baby growing up and 'leaving' the nest kinda feeling?

[RRMummy]

janet_lee88:

Hi RRMummy,

I contacted daughter's teacher to find out how spelling is given.
She told me that the kids are separated into different groups and each group sits at a round table. She will then say each word 2-3x. When the child has written, he/she will cover the word. .

Hi again janet-lee88,

Great that you have spoken to the teacher. I'm also happy to hear that the teacher has even suggestions on ways to check the situation out.

I think it is always helpful to be in the loop of what is going on in their CC/kindy. I always tell my gals teachers and the principle, I'm forever grateful to have frequent updates of my babies in school since they get to see and spend more time with them..

The feedbacks will help the teachers and me to look into various issues more closely.. it works great both ways. Eg. when I'm on business trips, the teachers were aware on how to manage my gals when they are cranky (due to missing me). I also tend to sense that for some teachers, they tend to wake-up abit to parents who are more involved!

janet_lee88:

From what I feel, most probably my gal is stressed when she sees her classmates finish fast and then call out to the teacher when done. At her RC class, the kids sit separately. According to her kindy teacher, her K2 is rather loud. Most prob, she will sit them differently next week.

At least now we can better understand and visualize the whole scenario.. it does sound quite intimidating especially if it is only the first few times of spelling.. the pressure and make some of them panic.. maybe the teacher's new approach and with a little more experience things will be less intimidating soon..

janet_lee88:

I don't push nor question my gal why she did poorly. In fact, I tell her that effort put in is most important. As for stars, they are a bonus. .

Ditto. :hi5:

janet_lee88:

My gal needs a lot of motivation to work...I drink lots of water when I have to coach her...thirsty with so much talking. HaHaHa.

:lol: Ya I know what you mean... whenever my gal is in those wait-wait-wait moods.. :stupid: :stupid: :stupid:

[buds]

RRMummy:

tankee:

[quote=\"RRMummy\"]...I'm trust they will come up with ways to evaluate the children's progress on a regular basis. I personally think that it is not neccesary to make them 'perform' well during exams to gauge the children's ability to learn.. I feel that the emphasis on exams tends to make us focus too much on how to teach them to score instead of cultivating love for learning.. and learning beyond the needs for exams......


................maybe without the exams, schools can have more time to engage in meaningful exploration and experiments. If N2 - K2 can explore abt volcanos and many science concepts, these can always be so for P1 onwards - by means of learning thru FUN.......:

Tao Nan are having little assessments spread out in term 3 & 4, including show & tell (5%), etc.

And this week, it is \"Exploration Week\" for Tao Nan. Students formed groups to do assignments & riddles, including a field trip to the Zoo, ends with some presentation. This is not counted towards year-end grades.

Wow!! I like! :celebrate: Too bad, Tao Nan is out for me. [/quote]Darling RRMummy, neighbourhood schools like my daughters' also have
these implemented. It is more of a learning journey experience 4
our children. My girls gone to zoo, kids kampung, science centre, mac
donalds kitchen, pizza kitchen and given super fun activities to do after
that to reinforce classroom lessons. Rest assured that the school you're
eyeing wud be as creative too. It is a good school. I love these
opportunities and would definitely sign them up without much thought.
Most time no need to pay also. All deduct from Edusave. My DD2 got
to go swimming with her friends too. While indoor learning provides
the discipline for seat work, outdoor learning experiences help to enrich
and reinforce the learning concepts. Schools are more receptive these
days to creative teaching.. :celebrate:

[buds]

janet_lee88:

As for spelling/tingxie, I don't stress on her poor marks. No point giving her pressure this year...let her enjoy 4 months more of K2. I don't want to think about it, but I'm very heartbroken to let her go to P1.

RRMummy:

Yup we have to manage our own expectations... For you, its like your little baby growing up and 'leaving' the nest kinda feeling?

Ladies... P1 is usually more stressful for the parents than the children. :lol:
Children won't really know what to expect until they are really in the midst
of all the action. Yes... 1st 3 days of P1 got a lotta action. :evil: (mostly from
parents.. ) Despite telling them what is in store, they will only be able
to deal with the excitement and all the new things in the big school on the
first day itself. My DD1 was fortunate to have like 3 full days of P1 prep in
her future P1 school.

An external consultant was engaged by the school to conduct prep lessons
which included language lessons incl of speech and drama, science lessons
in eco garden, tour around the school... ie. where's the toilet... how to buy
food from the canteen vendors... where to assemble... how to go general
office to make inquiries or get some help for lost and found items (etc)...
it cost us like $30+ for the 3 days. My DD1 loved it. By 1st day, she oredi
knew who her classmates were and what to do. She was paired up with 2
P5 buddies who were coincidentally student leaders, so she really didn't
have anxieties of any kind. There were a few old friends she met up with
too and that also helped.

Consider this transition a phase i wud term as : Weaning Off For Mommy.
Yap.. wean off from the babies they see in their children.

[RRMummy]

buds:

Darling RRMummy, neighbourhood schools like my daughters' also have
these implemented. It is more of a learning journey experience 4
our children. My girls gone to zoo, kids kampung, science centre, mac
donalds kitchen, pizza kitchen and given super fun activities to do after
that to reinforce classroom lessons. Rest assured that the school you're
eyeing wud be as creative too. It is a good school. I love these
opportunities and would definitely sign them up without much thought.
Most time no need to pay also. All deduct from Edusave. My DD2 got
to go swimming with her friends too. While indoor learning provides
the discipline for seat work, outdoor learning experiences help to enrich
and reinforce the learning concepts. Schools are more receptive these
days to creative teaching.. :celebrate:

Tao Nan SAP school? Ooops sorry me naive.. The school I'm aiming also neighbourhood school ma..

I love the experience your DDs' school is providing. I'm sure my DDs will love it too.. she complains this CC never bring them out to go shopping at NTUC, etc etc...

:celebrate: for creative teaching!! :celebrate:

[RRMummy]

buds:

Ladies... P1 is usually more stressful for the parents than the children. :lol:

Children won't really know what to expect until they are really in the midst
of all the action. Yes... 1st 3 days of P1 got a lotta action. :evil: (mostly from
parents.. ) Despite telling them what is in store, they will only be able
to deal with the excitement and all the new things in the big school on the
first day itself.

Much like this P1 registration I suppose :lol:

buds:

My DD1 was fortunate to have like 3 full days of P1 prep in
her future P1 school.

An external consultant was engaged by the school to conduct prep lessons
which included language lessons incl of speech and drama, science lessons
in eco garden, tour around the school... ie. where's the toilet... how to buy
food from the canteen vendors... where to assemble... how to go general
office to make inquiries or get some help for lost and found items (etc)...
it cost us like $30+ for the 3 days. My DD1 loved it. By 1st day, she oredi
knew who her classmates were and what to do. She was paired up with 2
P5 buddies who were coincidentally student leaders, so she really didn't
have anxieties of any kind. There were a few old friends she met up with
too and that also helped.

WOW!! You gals school is really so thoughtful and well organized. :love:

buds:

Consider this transition a phase i wud term as : Weaning Off For Mommy.
Yap.. wean off from the babies they see in their children.

Good term!! :salute:

So did you go thru this weaning stage as well?

[buds]

RRMummy:

Much like this P1 registration I suppose :lol:

Yup.

RRMummy:

WOW!! You gals school is really so thoughtful and well organized. :love:

DD1's time managed to engage. DD2's time bo.. but we manage fine
cos DD2 very independent... and quite gung-ho... will not show any
displays of needy-ness or clingy-ness esp in front of soo many ppl. :lol:
In fact she covered her face indicating to daddy to stop snapping... and
told us to shoo (go home) on the 2nd day's recess. Hahaa! :rotflmao:

buds:

Consider this transition a phase i wud term as : Weaning Off For Mommy. Yap.. wean off from the babies they see in their children.

RRMummy:

Good term!! :salute:

So did you go thru this weaning stage as well?

Errr... no. I think. :laugh: