is science tuition necessary for P3 or wait til upp pri?

[usaik]

Jennifer:

Same case for my elder boy who scored full marks in MCQ, understood the concepts but got prob answering section B.

Since your boy has a strong foundation in Sci, IMO no need to find tutors. The Lower Block Science 3 in 1 by Janet Sim has detailed ans with the keyword in bold.

I did not buy a similar one for my elder boy when he was in P3. Only chanced upon Janet Sim's books in P4. I sat down with him and explained why such keywords must be used, a bit long winded but such explanation was done again and again. Once he picked up the tactics, it was a breeze for him. I am doing the same with my P3 boy now.

I remembered one classic example of using keyword: He wrote \"Warmth\" which the teacher marked wrong, the keyword was \"Heat\". Must use more scientific words, not ordinary EL words used in creative writing.

YES. It's the KEYWORDS that kill!
I must say this subject is so SET on getting the keyword right that I felt it is restricting creativity and out of the box thinking! How would Newton discover gravity if he is taught to memorize key words .
Having said that, I will still have to succumb to the system and obediently go and understand what are the KEYWORDS the teacher is looking out for!
In any case, THANKS so much for your advice and the sharing on Janet Sim's books, I will look out for it!

verykiasu2010:

science : scientific answers right to the point, not llls answers, good foundation is important if aspire to score well at P5 / 6. memorising is wrong, understanding and application is key. emphasis these days is process skills

I think ds learnt the hard way that for p3 science, answering to the point in P3 means getting the right keyword. Jennifer's example is very apt. If teacher expect the word \"HEAT\", by giving the word \"Warmth\" will give you ZERO mark.

Very keen to learn more about this process skills....can share more by giving some model questions and expected answer on how science teacher test the kids? TIA.

[Leanne]

Hello verykiasu2010,


Well said.Many tend to think science is about memorising, but its not.

I remembered I was talking to a very exp sci teacher, asking him whether to do mind mapping and is it necessary to memorise it.He answered that with understanding of the topics and concept, mind mapping come naturally.

Also, answering sci question is a soft skill, u need practise and time to nurture the skill.Eng is impt but phrasing it correctly in the scientic way is even more crucial.
Just one cent of my thought.


Cheers
Leanne

\"]

lauren:

can i ask, for math eg the difficulty lies in those higher order thinking prob sums.

for science, what is the main challenge that hinders a child to do well without tuition? too much things to memorise, answers not scientific enuf or wat? i hv no idea cos my girl only p2.

also, wat difficulties to expect for science?

math : ability to solve problems on same topic presented in different ways

science : scientific answers right to the point, not llls answers, good foundation is important if aspire to score well at P5 / 6. memorising is wrong, understanding and application is key. emphasis these days is process skills[/quote]

[Brenda10]

Hi, just to share a sample of the following problem recently dd made during her revision:


Q:

There is a magnet placed on the End Y

Table of data provided:
Sheet made of material : Did the paper clips moved from End X to End Y

A : Yes
B : Yes
C : No

Question ask:
Which one of the materials, A, B or C, is made of iron? Give a reason for your answer?

DD answer:
Material C. We can see the paper clips cannot move from End X to End Y.

Teacher Answer:
Matrial C. It does not allow magnetism to pass through the sheet so the paper clips cannot move from End B to End A.

As such, have to highlight to her that she was not answered the question but just repeated what question was provided.

[Leanne]

Hi Brenda10,


Thank you for sharing.

Leanne

Brenda10:

Hi, just to share a sample of the following problem recently dd made during her revision:

Q:

There is a magnet placed on the End Y

Table of data provided:
Sheet made of material : Did the paper clips moved from End X to End Y

A : Yes
B : Yes
C : No

Question ask:
Which one of the materials, A, B or C, is made of iron? Give a reason for your answer?

DD answer:
Material C. We can see the paper clips cannot move from End X to End Y.

Teacher Answer:
Matrial C. It does not allow magnetism to pass through the sheet so the paper clips cannot move from End B to End A.

As such, have to highlight to her that she was not answered the question but just repeated what question was provided.

[24hr-mum]

after reading the posts, wow, made me very scared.

i dont hv much sci knowledge (dont really fancy it） but i do hv the time to read up. i think when all my kids are pri sch exam i wld go mad

[tianzhu]

Hi


Please go to this link and go to Dharma’s post@ 24 Sep 2010 13:35

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1727&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=680

You may find the Science Workshop Presentation useful.

Best wishes

[JonC]

Unlike other 3 subjects which is only P5 and P6 syllabus, PSLE Science Syllabus include P3, P4, P5 and P6.


Need or no need science tuition will really depends on your kids is good at that subject, but most Primary School kids find Science difficult. If your kids find it easy, you are the lucky few.

So just watch his P3 CA1 result and see if you are not sure.

[Brenda10]

tianzhu:

Hi


Please go to this link and go to Dharma’s post@ 24 Sep 2010 13:35

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1727&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=680

You may find the Science Workshop Presentation useful.

Best wishes

Hi Tianzhu

A very big thanks to your thoughtful as well as Dharma's wonderful sharing.

Will show dd since there is still 3 days before the Science Exam.

Thank you

[AuntieKiasi]

After reading all these posts, I was reminded of a conversation I had with a friend. My friend was telling me, for animal science, my ds must not only know the life-cycle. Ds must also know about the habitats, eco-systems, food- chain/web & evolution of animals. He must also know why certain animals can stay in cold regions & why some can’t.


I think science is a subject where the kids must have a thirst to go & find out more thru reading & experiments.

[tianzhu]

Brenda10:

Hi Tianzhu

A very big thanks to your thoughtful as well as Dharma's wonderful sharing.

Will show dd since there is still 3 days before the Science Exam.

Thank you

Hi Brenda10

You’re welcome.

Enjoy the science journey with your girl. I am sure she’ll enjoy the sweetness of success in her SA2 examination.

Best wishes