2011 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[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....

[Tinkerbelle]

Brenda10:

Tinkerbelle:

Dunno about the word limit for CL compo....anyone else know??

So far the test paper stated for CL, above 100 words and HCL - above 200 words. There are 240 columns in the page (CL compo. Exercise Book) as such two - three pages should be considered acceptable. I find is unnecessary to emphasis too much in the beginning as well as beware of too many idle words (废话). If you are able to use cheng yu, words or phrases which are not taught in primary school level and yet correctly, then you should stand a higher chance to get the better marks.
Just my 2 cents thought

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for enlightening me. I asked DD and she didn't know. She just told me she usually writes about 3 pages for CL compo and her teacher said it was enough.

When you mentioned too many idle words, do you mean too much dialogue in the compo?? Or do you really mean 废话?? DD likes to pepper her compo with dialogue. :lol:

[Tinkerbelle]

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.

Hi Tisha,
keke...Looks like we parents also need to hit the books during exam period. Bring out all the chicken essence... :celebrate: All the best to your DS. :lol:

[Tinkerbelle]

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.

Hi James,

Thanks so much for pointing that out. The above was an example given by DD's FT. After reading through your explanations, I agree your answer is more comprehensive. Just curious, would this answer be acceptable too?

Living things need food to obtain energy to carry out life processes and do work?? Tks.

[Tinkerbelle]

Brenda10:

tisha:

[quote=\"Brenda10\"]HI mummies


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

Energy for us.

Same here. :hi5:[/quote]DD also starting with Energy. :lol:

[Brenda10]

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.

Hi James

Thank you for sharing. I think more questions in Energy will be tested in this coming CA1. Your valuable inputs on all these key words/answers are important to us

[Brenda10]

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Brenda,

Thanks for enlightening me. I asked DD and she didn't know. She just told me she usually writes about 3 pages for CL compo and her teacher said it was enough.

When you mentioned too many idle words, do you mean too much dialogue in the compo?? Or do you really mean 废话?? DD likes to pepper her compo with dialogue. :lol:

Hi Tinkerbelle

Dialogue is ok. My 废话 means some of the parts don't have to be detials and better 轻描淡写带过.

[Brenda10]

Tinkerbelle:

DD also starting with Energy. :lol:

Hi Tinkerbelle

Ha Ha. Look like their school prefer to start with Energy. Heard from dd now the teacher is started revising some topcis like light, matter etc. Hopefully the teacher can cover more past topics before the CA1.

[MoonFlower]

[quote="Leanne"]Hi Moonflower,


Thanks for info.
May I ask what is the difference between what’s up and current events?


Rgds
Leanne

Current events comes with Current Science. It’s jus like newsweek mags.