All About English Composition

[24hr-mum]

the one that ask kids to copy model compo is mindstretcher, not TAS whc i hvnt started

[sleepy]

chamonix:

TAS also requires the students to memorise model essays. At least that's how it is for the lower levels.

For upper primary too. My friend feedback to TAS teacher but.... still the same week after week.

[metz]

I have seen materials from the two centres.


Main difference lies in that TAS covers more than just creative writing. It provides guidance on comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, cloze passages and spelling. TAS students are also expected to memorise and write down the essays from memory, if I’m not wrong.

[metz]

sleepy:

chamonix:

TAS also requires the students to memorise model essays. At least that's how it is for the lower levels.

For upper primary too. My friend feedback to TAS teacher but.... still the same week after week.

Have you tried any writing classes that use other teaching methods besides memorising essays? My friends have tried Julia Gabriel and British Council. These centres don't seem to work for their kids.

[24hr-mum]

chamonix:

I have seen materials from the two centres.


Main difference lies in that TAS covers more than just creative writing. It provides guidance on comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, cloze passages and spelling. TAS students are also expected to memorise and write down the essays from memory, if I'm not wrong.

u r talking abt TAS and mindstretcher's writer toolbox?
wat do u think of the writer toolbox vs TAS in terms of creative writing?

[bebe]

24hr-mum:

mindstretcher's writer toolbox class teaches them the vocab, not sure abt mind mapping cos i nvr seen, but for hmwk they must copy model compo and redo 2nd draft. that's why i m still thinkg whr shd continue cos i like the bombastic vocab but its a chore to do the copying hmwk

24hr mum
Yr kid is at the Bishan Branch? Mine is attending their English class @Bishan Branch, and they will do the above for compo writing twice a month. I am not sure if this is working, but I can see that my gal apply 1 or 2 of their useful phrases in her schoolwork. Though I do not like the copying part, very tedious but I hv to monitor and see if there is any improvement in her next CA1 or SA1.
Agree that the vocab list is good.

[metz]

24hr-mum:

u r talking abt TAS and mindstretcher's writer toolbox?
wat do u think of the writer toolbox vs TAS in terms of creative writing?

Yes, TAS and Mindstretcher's Writer Toolbox.

Personal impression only (on the materials alone),
Mindstretcher introduces well written works and good vocabulary. But TAS goes beyond that - it highlights good phrases and how to use them to create tension in stories to grab the reader's attention. Besides, TAS also teaches the kids various ways to describe a particular setting. Pretty interesting.

[snow123]

My son in P2 is with The Write Place in Jurong East. He too need to write a composition weekly with the helping words, do a 2nd draft (or even 3rd draft) for the previous composition and also weekly spelling of 10 phrases.

Not sure if it really helps him in creative writing, but i do notice he used one or two phrase in his school work/journal.

The amount of writing and doing 2nd or 3rd draft is a drag but i suppose that is the method of learning in creative writing?

Any one else in other creative writing classes care to share the methods of teaching?

[atutor2001]

24hr-mum:

is copying out model compo, doing a second draft, or memorising a compo, an effective to improve compo?

Not all are born equal. Some are just born without the ability to write and develop a given topic. For this group, the above proposal appears to be the only solution. However, if they don't mature by JC, they will be in trouble for GP. Many still resort to this pr sch way of spotting and memorising GP essays and actually still gotten their As. But their lives are tough, having to remember so many things.

[junrahmat]

Believe it or not, my dd teacher is making them do this in school for compo!