Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary

[kohhweelin.010441gmail.010441com]

Funx3:

E3:

So is the P1 orientation still starting at 11:30am this year? Prize-giving ends at 12noon.

U mean its Gonna be overlap with P1/P2 Prize Giving Period ....
Thought the kids R Gonna b dismissed by 12 noon ....

Haha. Not sure about the p1 orientation timing. Just curious or kpo.

[php]

E3:

Funx3:

[quote=\"E3\"]So is the P1 orientation still starting at 11:30am this year? Prize-giving ends at 12noon.

U mean its Gonna be overlap with P1/P2 Prize Giving Period ....
Thought the kids R Gonna b dismissed by 12 noon ....

Haha. Not sure about the p1 orientation timing. Just curious or kpo. [/quote]2.00pm to 4.00pm confirmed..

[dyh]

IJJ:

Trapwithin:

[quote=\"IJJ\"]
My daughter is very determined to clear her confusions. She found this
from : http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/living_things/microorganisms/read2.shtml

That's why do not need the word \"tiny\" in front. There are tiny enough :lol:

You mean 'very'?

Btw, her FT told her 'Some can be very tiny.\" is right because some are very tiny, some are just tiny. I think either one of her friends or she questioned teacher about the times of magnification for tiny ones and that for very tiny ones. :lol:[/quote]I am not convinced by the teacher's explanation or the sensibility of the question. Micro already means very small, that means all microorganisms are very small or tiny. of course, they have different sizes but all are considered tiny. you can't split tiny into tiny and very tiny. it's like saying \"very huge\". proper english will just use \"huge\". the person who set the question has poor English???

[S6169]

IJJ:

Trapwithin:

[quote=\"IJJ\"]
Btw, her FT told her 'Some can be very tiny.\" is right because some are very tiny, some are just tiny. I think either one of her friends or she questioned teacher about the times of magnification for tiny ones and that for very tiny ones. :lol:

[/quote]In this case, teacher should clearly tell the student that there is a difference between tiny and very tiny and how did they classify these two groups?

[Mrsbongz]

dyh:

I am not convinced by the teacher's explanation or the sensibility of the question. Micro already means very small, that means all microorganisms are very small or tiny. of course, they have different sizes but all are considered tiny. you can't split tiny into tiny and very tiny. it's like saying \"very huge\". proper english will just use \"huge\". the person who set the question has poor English???

Actually I agree with u, it's an issue of the use of english. It's like short or shorter where u actually need to show for comparision before u can decide which adjective to use.

When u use words like 'micro-organism', the general explanation is that it is so small u can't see with a naked eye. To expect a child to differentiate 'tiny' and 'very tiny' can only be done if there is some illustration for comparison.

In fact, words like 'tiny' are descriptive/subjective, and not meant to be objective/definitive. the teacher's English leaves room for improvement..

[Jennifer]

Mrsbongz:

In fact, words like 'tiny' are descriptive/subjective, and not meant to be objective/definitive. the teacher's English leaves room for improvement..

Hm, the teachers expect the pupils to use more scientific keywords when presenting an answer, but their own question is not

[markfch]

Mrsbongz:

dyh:

I am not convinced by the teacher's explanation or the sensibility of the question. Micro already means very small, that means all microorganisms are very small or tiny. of course, they have different sizes but all are considered tiny. you can't split tiny into tiny and very tiny. it's like saying \"very huge\". proper english will just use \"huge\". the person who set the question has poor English???

Actually I agree with u, it's an issue of the use of english. It's like short or shorter where u actually need to show for comparision before u can decide which adjective to use.

When u use words like 'micro-organism', the general explanation is that it is so small u can't see with a naked eye. To expect a child to differentiate 'tiny' and 'very tiny' can only be done if there is some illustration for comparison.

In fact, words like 'tiny' are descriptive/subjective, and not meant to be objective/definitive. the teacher's English leaves room for improvement..

I've been wondering whether it's justifiable for sch to engage an external Science consultant to help out in the Science dept. Recalled E3 mentioning from her teaching experience that Science is hardest to teach. Conducting practical experiments is also challenging. Just floating the idea to people who have high connections you know (people like ph...something :idea: ), especially since Science also seems to be the weakest link in PH's PSLE results (though it's quite good compared to nat ave).

But I guess the flip side is that finding the right candidate is not easy. Secondly, all the other subject heads may come clamouring for the same resource in future ==> more headache for principal.

[Funx3]

markfch:

I've been wondering whether it's justifiable for sch to engage an external Science consultant to help out in the Science dept. Recalled E3 mentioning from her teaching experience that Science is hardest to teach. Conducting practical experiments is also challenging.

especially since Science also seems to be the weakest link in PH's PSLE results (though it's quite good compared to nat ave).

But I guess the flip side is that finding the right candidate is not easy. Secondly, all the other subject heads may come clamouring for the same resource in future ==> more headache for principal.

I Agree with U on this Point.
PH has to look for ways to better improve their Weakest Subject.

But Looks like we may Hit the Problem of Getting the \"Right\" Candidate - Must be better than PH's (Else Y Pay them?) and knowledgeable in PSLE Science and \"Get the Correct Exam-Required Answers\" kind of Consultant .... Where to Find :?
Maybe this is an Opportunity for Some KSP strong in this Forum to Group and set up a Company and Earn BIG $$$ :lol: :lol:

And It may b a Smack in the Face for the HOD, etc in the Dept - Admitting they Do not know how to improve the Teaching of the Subject????
The Almighty Hand may have Some \"Negative\" Review on their Year-End Review ..... Hee-Hee .....

[kohhweelin.010441gmail.010441com]

markfch:

I've been wondering whether it's justifiable for sch to engage an external Science consultant to help out in the Science dept.

Markfch, you are thinking like a P!! :celebrate: That's what my ex-school did! One of my very nice principals did that, this P is a very \"Science\" person, she engaged an NIE lecturer to help with vetting science papers and assigned 6 teachers (Mrs me inclusive hehe) to be science coaches who will be involved in the vetting of the papers too. This NIE lecturer who is also a mother would let her son (having parents who are science pro, he can do any level of exam papers) try out the papers and then feedback to us the point of views from a child, as well as the point of views from an adult doing the papers.

Too bad when the new P took over, all these ceased. I quit also lah.

I can't comment much on the questions posted cos I do not exactly know how the questions were set and what are the objectives of the questions. I hope to be more involved next year when my dd takes Science.

All I can say is if the questions were too generic, they would not serve any purpose in the understanding of Science, thus it's not fair to assess the kids, likewise if the answers were too generic, they could not be accepted as well.

I had been marking PSLE Science papers in all my teaching years, rest assured questions like the \"tiny micro-organism\" will not appear.

[markfch]

E3:

markfch:

I've been wondering whether it's justifiable for sch to engage an external Science consultant to help out in the Science dept.

Markfch, you are thinking like a P!! :celebrate: That's what my ex-school did! One of my very nice principals did that, this P is a very \"Science\" person, she engaged an NIE lecturer to help with vetting science papers and assigned 6 teachers (Mrs me inclusive hehe) to be science coaches who will be involved in the vetting of the papers too. This NIE lecturer who is also a mother would let her son (having parents who are science pro, he can do any level of exam papers) try out the papers and then feedback to us the point of views from a child, as well as the point of views from an adult doing the papers.

Too bad when the new P took over, all these ceased. I quit also lah.

I can't comment much on the questions posted cos I do not exactly know how the questions were set and what are the objectives of the questions. I hope to be more involved next year when my dd takes Science.

All I can say is if the questions were too generic, they would not serve any purpose in the understanding of Science, thus it's not fair to assess the kids, likewise if the answers were too generic, they could not be accepted as well.

I had been marking PSLE Science papers in all my teaching years, rest assured questions like the \"tiny micro-organism\" will not appear.

Hey php, heard that? Other schs are already practising this. Time to exert your undoubted persuasive influence on the P. :lol: