2011 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[Hifive]

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Hifive & starlight1968sg,

:hi5: Beginning of the year, I was quite surprised when DD told me the same teacher is teaching all 3 subjects as most friends' kids have different teachers for the 3 subjects. Thus, it comes as a pleasant surprise that your kids also have 1 teacher for 3 subjects and they all love to focus on maths and not pay enough attention on science.... So I guess it's not uncommon to have this practice. Sometimes I do wonder why science is the least focused on. Afterall, it's not easy with all the process skills involved these days.

DD's been busy so we haven't started on science revision for CA1 yet :!: Due to time constraint, will probably touch on her P5-P6 topics first. If time permits, we'll venture into P3-P4 topics. :lol:

Hi Tinkerbelle

Thanks for your sharing. Yes, think will have to zoom in P5-P6 topics first.

With so much homework given by school, wonder the teachers have time to mark all of them. My DS class teacher takes quite a bit of time to return each piece of homework (since she teaches 3 subjects).

[Brenda10]

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Brenda,


Looks like both our DDs' sch need to buck up for CL compo, ya...keke. I suspect the schs will rush through the last few compo before PSLE so most likely, the frequency of CL compo will increase suddenly when the sch realize they are running out of time to complete the syllabus.

Hi Tinkerbelle

Yes, I agreed. The CL comp is 40 marks out of 200 marks, 20% of the 100 marks and yet is not being focused. Look like we have to either 自生自灭 or 自食其力. Better to put more 筹码 in Paper 2, listening compre and Oral.

[Tinkerbelle]

Hifive:

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Hifive & starlight1968sg,

:hi5: Beginning of the year, I was quite surprised when DD told me the same teacher is teaching all 3 subjects as most friends' kids have different teachers for the 3 subjects. Thus, it comes as a pleasant surprise that your kids also have 1 teacher for 3 subjects and they all love to focus on maths and not pay enough attention on science.... So I guess it's not uncommon to have this practice. Sometimes I do wonder why science is the least focused on. Afterall, it's not easy with all the process skills involved these days.

DD's been busy so we haven't started on science revision for CA1 yet :!: Due to time constraint, will probably touch on her P5-P6 topics first. If time permits, we'll venture into P3-P4 topics. :lol:

Hi Tinkerbelle

Thanks for your sharing. Yes, think will have to zoom in P5-P6 topics first.

With so much homework given by school, wonder the teachers have time to mark all of them. My DS class teacher takes quite a bit of time to return each piece of homework (since she teaches 3 subjects).

Hi Hifive,

I totally agree...DD has heaps of HW that has not been marked yet. Usually, her FT will get the kids to peer mark. She will only check through & mark when time permits.

DD also has the FT for art & music. She mentioned that the disadvantage of having 1 teacher for 3 subjects plus art & music is she always miss out on art & music as her FT wants to spend more time on other subjects. Nowadays, teachers are so versatile...can teach so many subjects. :lol:

[Tinkerbelle]

Brenda10:

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Brenda,


Looks like both our DDs' sch need to buck up for CL compo, ya...keke. I suspect the schs will rush through the last few compo before PSLE so most likely, the frequency of CL compo will increase suddenly when the sch realize they are running out of time to complete the syllabus.

Hi Tinkerbelle

Yes, I agreed. The CL comp is 40 marks out of 200 marks, 20% of the 100 marks and yet is not being focused. Look like we have to either 自生自灭 or 自食其力. Better to put more 筹码 in Paper 2, listening compre and Oral.

Hi Brenda,

Good suggestion. Will focus more on the other componens just in case DD writes :offtopic: for compo. BTW, your use of 成语 in your post is like a good mini compo. Sure can score well in PSLE...haha :celebrate:

[Brenda10]

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Brenda,


Good suggestion. Will focus more on the other componens just in case DD writes :offtopic: for compo. BTW, your use of 成语 in your post is like a good mini compo. Sure can score well in PSLE...haha :celebrate:

Hi Tinkerbelle

Yes. The above 3 components are better to aim rather than depending on compo. which is tested within 50 minutes. Aiyoh, If the compo. do at home (after modifying) can score up to 37- 39 out of 40, if do in class or exam then 惨不忍睹. Still long way to go lah.

[Funx3]

Tinkerbelle:

....have 1 teacher for 3 subjects and they all love to focus on maths and not pay enough attention on science.... So I guess it's not uncommon to have this practice. Sometimes I do wonder why science is the least focused on. Afterall, it's not easy with all the process skills involved these days.

Guess Maths, if Got the Method Correct, then Can Get it Over and Done With Early in the Year ....
Then Can Focus Later in the year to Expose the Kids to the More Varied Aspects of SC Q?

[Funx3]

Tinkerbelle:

BTW, are our kids supposed to know 成语 for PSLE? I saw a book on 成语 for PSLE in Popular and wonder if it was an outdated publication as I couldn't find the date of publication on it.

Read Somewhere that to Secure a Good Score (A*) for Chinese Compo, Rough gauge is to put in 8 成语 in, Then Got Very Good Chance! :lol: :lol:

[Funx3]

Tinkerbelle:

hashroop:

Some parents may have read it before but for some and first time PSLE parents - enjoy and share with your DS and DD


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The PSLE Giant Candy Store- A Singapore fairy tale
Once upon a time, the PSLE exams was a Giant Candy Store which stocked the finest and best candies from all around the world; chocolates, sweets, candy bars and canes, jelly beans, candies in all shapes and sizes; sweet hearts, teddy bears, stars and all.

The PSLE candy store was opened only once a year to all 12 year-olds who visited and they could grab as many lovely candies as they wanted and wished for. While Adults were not allowed into the Giant Candy Store, the Adults had told and coaxed their 12 year-olds to take the opportunity to be their best and to get the loveliest candies which would make them forever happy.

Many 12 year-olds were excited and mystified about the PSLE Giant Candy Store, but there were some of those who could not be bothered. Some even fell asleep during the PSLE Giant Candy Store's opening hours. Maybe they were too young to understand, and even too complacent, to appreciate the importance of getting the best candies for themselves, until the PSLE Giant Candy Store shut its doors after the opening hours were over.

Too late already, the PSLE Giant Candy Store was closed, all those who were hardworking and diligent, even smart, they had a fantastic collection of the best candies, with their best experience to share, for the rest of their life.

\"I have 4 A* for my PSLE and I go to the best schools, get the best jobs in the country and do what I love in life\", the successful man/woman reminisced fondly. And he (she) lived happily after.

The end.

Hi hashroop,

Thanks for sharing this PSLE fairy tale in such a candid manner.... Let's hope the doors of the PSLE Giant Candy Store will not close on our kids. :celebrate:

Yeah, a Good One ....
I Enjoy Reading it Myself .... :oops: :oops:

[Funx3]

Brenda10:

If the compo. do at home (after modifying) can score up to 37- 39 out of 40, if do in class or exam then 惨不忍睹. Still long way to go lah.

Wah Can Get 37 to 39 out of 40 - No wonder Grand Master -liao!
Just Curious, How 惨is the Difference in Exam or in Class?
35? 32? :?
If So, Still Very Good -le!

[Brenda10]

Funx3:

Brenda10:

If the compo. do at home (after modifying) can score up to 37- 39 out of 40, if do in class or exam then 惨不忍睹. Still long way to go lah.

Wah Can Get 37 to 39 out of 40 - No wonder Grand Master -liao!
Just Curious, How 惨is the Difference in Exam or in Class?
35? 32? :?
If So, Still Very Good -le!

No lah. :oops: When do at home can have more time to think, edit and put more appropriate cheng yu to score marks.

DD marks were about 25 to 30 marks last year. That's why I think is better to put more weighting to the other 3 components