Unfair treatment in Math

[skyjuice]

buds:

Heard from many tutors and parents, Andrew Er's Math Books are pretty
challenging. There's also another publication from SAP, if you're keen to
check them out, skyjuice.

Thanks, Buds DS has been doing more Onsponge Conquer Problem Sums, Casco's Problem Sums and Fabian Ng's book. They are quite comprehensive in covering challengers too.

[Picolo]

tamarind:

Picolo:

[quote=\"verykiasu2010\"]
if the non-high ability were to be taught also the more challenging math, then they may end up not able to master the basic as well as not able to handle the challenging questions.

which you you prefer ? to be able to handle well the basic question and miss out the marks for the challenging questions ? or to be \"half pail of water\" for all the topics and take the risks of not scoring in all sections ?

then another grumble will be why not let them concentrate on the basic and ignore the FEW challenging questions ?

I used to analyse this logically like you. My kids are in better classes and I didn't know what exactly are being done in the average/mixed ability classes. But when so many other mums with kids from different levels and classes started describing how 'bo-chap' the Math Teachers are in the average classes, I start to realise that this has become quite a serious problem for the poor kids in the average classes. The teachers just do the bare minimal math worksheets required by the schools, with no time dedicated to some varied 'challenging/ interesting' questions. When the kids do past years' papers, the teachers just give them the answers without explanation! I used to dismiss these complaints from other parents, but when I hear similar feedback from so many others, I am beginning to believe that there is a vicious cycle for the poor kids in the average math classes. Maybe the direction of the schools are reasonable - if you are a 2.4 l car, you go faster and so I let you go more miles, learn everything etc. but you and I know you need to be exposed to all kind of road conditions in order to win the race, right? I wonder if the principals really know what are happening in the average classes? Whatever it is, I know that if my kids ever go into an average class one day, I make sure I expose them to different kinds of questions that are reasonable to appear in PSLEs.

Average students do best when given one to one attention, especially at primary school levels. Parents have to teach them at home, or employ private tutors for them. We really cannot depend on the school teachers.
[/quote]Totally agree. That's why I cannot expect the school teachers to improve the grades of my ds2, who is easily distracted in class. I have to put in more efforts teaching my ds2 at home.

[corneyAmber]

In many scenarios in life, not just Math, the excellent and the weakest will get the most attention. Unfortunately, the in between-band will tend to be neglected and they will tend to be left on their own to fend for themselves.


If there is forum to provide feedback or ask question, may be good to check with the school.

[Pen88n]

I know there are schools that does subject banding for the average classes. This will also help that students of certain strengths are grouped together so that they can further their strong subjects and not be held back by students weaker in the subject.


Having said that, nothing beats an "analysis" whereby the kid’s strengths and weaknesses are recognised - strengths should be "exploited" further, weaknesses can be gaps that needed to be "filled". I see this as the job of the parents who are hands-on and can coach and guide their kids along. Outsouorcing this task to tutor(s) may / may not work as tutor(s) do not know or understand the kid as well.

[verykiasu2010]

Pen88n:

I know there are schools that does subject banding for the average classes. This will also help that students of certain strengths are grouped together so that they can further their strong subjects and not be held back by students weaker in the subject.


Having said that, nothing beats an \"analysis\" whereby the kid's strengths and weaknesses are recognised - strengths should be \"exploited\" further, weaknesses can be gaps that needed to be \"filled\". I see this as the job of the parents who are hands-on and can coach and guide their kids along. Outsouorcing this task to tutor(s) may / may not work as tutor(s) do not know or understand the kid as well.

Fair statement

[buds]

skyjuice:

buds:

Heard from many tutors and parents, Andrew Er's Math Books are pretty
challenging. There's also another publication from SAP, if you're keen to
check them out, skyjuice.

Thanks, Buds DS has been doing more Onsponge Conquer Problem Sums, Casco's Problem Sums and Fabian Ng's book. They are quite comprehensive in covering challengers too.

Yes, how cud i have left out Fabian. Fabian's books are systematic and
clearly written. We started with Fabian as well since K2.

[phtthp]

is it true that nowadays in PSLE -

Maths questions getting less tough, compared to the past ?

[GLORYmum]

could it be that our kids are getting smarter and able to solve the questions which used to be tougher before?


i have given up solving DD's maths questions since P5 ...

[bb_ mom]

Many sentences & steps involved. Sometimes, can get lost in the question. I'm still struggling with DS but outsourced as well. Drop by the P5 Math thread. :faint:

[Dino_Mummy]

That's the challenge of being in an \"elite\" school?


In any case, with all the above views, i do concur that parents have to play an active role in helping their child these days -- as parents, we want to help our child reach their highest potential but as a teacher (as Tamarind shared), you have to help the class (if not majority) to pass.

In an 'elite' school, there may also be pressure to filter out further to maintain their 'standard' and reputation?

Skyjuice:

DS just transferred to an \"elite\" school. He was from one of the top classes in his previous school but now placed in a low ability class. He got very bored doing just the work book. No challenging sums at all. He was shocked to learn only 2, in his current class of 41, passed SA1 Math and at borderline too. Many of the kids scored below 40. I've seen that paper and it really isn't easy!

I guess it's a bit shocking as DS had always been in top classes and never seen such results before. Perhaps it's the school's way to get the kids to buck up with a tough paper? Or like Sun2010 said, the school's way to filter out the higher ability students.

Like Picolo, I've always known better classes do more. But I guess now then I feel a bit sore bearing the brunt of it. We have stepped up on his home revision cos can't depend on his class to prepare him for the SA2 if DS wants to move to a better class next year.

Just needed an outlet to let it out! Thanks folks! :stupid:[/quote]