2011 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[tisha]

hashroop:

Use elimination method for MCQ and work on the rest of the options given for that particular question. Highlighting/ underlining the key word found in the question also helps.

I second that.
Start by elimination. Cross out or put a X mark next to the obviously wrong option. Now highlight the keywords of the remaining options. Re-read the Q to check what is asked and then make the final choice.

[tisha]

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Tisha & Mum1113,
I understand what you mean. For Section B, teachers are very particular about certain key words. Most kids do understand the concepts but because they use layman's terms, the teachers will mark them wrong. DD also loses marks for incomplete key words.

I'm no science expert. Textbooks don't cover much details so I usually use sci guide books to revise with DD. I'll go through the concepts with her and highlight key works to help her tackle open-ended questions. After going through the guide book, I'll get DD to tackle assessment books on that topic. When we have time, We'll try to squeeze in past year papers.

Her teacher ever commented that if in doubt for sci questions, always think of a scientific concept behind the questions. To quote an example: Why do we need food? Some kids will answer \"We need food so we will not be hungry.\" In actual fact, the scientific answer is \"We need food so that we can obtain energy from it to do work.\" So I always remind DD to look for the scientific facts. I'm also learning together with DD. Wish I can help her more with MCQ. Each MCQ is worth 2 marks each so getting a few questions wrong can be costly Any tips to improve on MCQ, anyone???

:thankyou: very much Tinkerbelle. I'll spend some dedicated time just to focus on answering the Sci open ended Q before CA1. Hopefully DS's science score will improve this time.

[Brenda10]

HI mummies


Just curious that your school start wtih the Energy or Interaction for this term 1 ?

[tisha]

Brenda10:

HI mummies


Just curious that your school start wtih the Energy or Interaction for this term 1 ?

Energy for us.

[hashroop]

Brenda10:

HI mummies


Just curious that your school start wtih the Energy or Interaction for this term 1 ?

Energy for DS

[Brenda10]

tisha:

Brenda10:

HI mummies


Just curious that your school start wtih the Energy or Interaction for this term 1 ?

Energy for us.

Same here. :hi5:

[Brenda10]

hashroop:

Brenda10:

HI mummies


Just curious that your school start wtih the Energy or Interaction for this term 1 ?

Energy for DS

Same too. :hi5:

[James Ang]

Q:Why do living things need food?


A: Living things need food to obtain energy to carry out life processes.

I think this answer is better than "obtain energy to do work" because energy is required not just to do work (work done being force x distance moved), but the energy is used to keep the body warm as well as keeping the cells alive etc. So the key word is "carry out life processes". In fact fuels and chemicals such as those stored in batteries can provide energy to machines to do work too, but unlike food, these forms of chemical energy cannot help to carry out life processes.

[tisha]

James Ang:

Q:Why do living things need food?


A: Living things need food to obtain energy to carry out life processes.

I think this answer is better than \"obtain energy to do work\" because energy is required not just to do work (work done being force x distance moved), but the energy is used to keep the body warm as well as keeping the cells alive etc. So the key word is \"carry out life processes\". In fact fuels and chemicals such as those stored in batteries can provide energy to machines to do work too, but unlike food, these forms of chemical energy cannot help to carry out life processes.

A very good example for the usage of 'key words/key concepts'. To me \"obtain energy to do work\" is a good enough answer, but of course cannot fetch full marks.

Sometimes I wonder whether all this emphasis on the 'perfect answers' is necessary at primary level. It kind of kills the joy of learning science. As long as the answer indicates a good understanding of the basic concept, should be acceptable. JMHO... Or should I say wishful thinking...

[Tinkerbelle]

hashroop:

Use elimination method for MCQ and work on the rest of the options given for that particular question. Highlighting/ underlining the key word found in the question also helps.

tisha:

I second that.
Start by elimination. Cross out or put a X mark next to the obviously wrong option. Now highlight the keywords of the remaining options. Re-read the Q to check what is asked and then make the final choice.

Hi hashroop & tisha,

Thanks for the tip. Will ask DD to work on her elimination skills for sci MCQ. She does eliminate but must be eliminating the wrong answers....