Q&A - P2 English

[janet88]

Hi Champion,

With first one, absolutely have no idea how to buy assessment books at all…fortunately a friend of mine taught me to get Chinese ones. Then the kiasu in me ‘woke up’ and learnt to explore Popular often.

Along the way, realized some authors for Chinese write too difficult ones esp SAP publications), making son unmotivated to get work done. Go Popular again to comb through other publishers. Now using mainly Learners for Chinese assessment books.

As for Science, some authors like Mabel Cheong, Renee Chong and Helen Lee are not bad but questions do not really follow latest syllabus requirements…worse still, some answers given can be wrong.

Maths worse…I really wash my hands off completely teaching. My job for Maths is to make sure the assessment book follows the syllabus and ‘attacks’ the areas son is weak in.

When daughter moves up to P2, I will have to learn how and which assessment book to get again. Endless cycle.

[Champion]

janet_lee88:

Hi Champion,

With first one, absolutely have no idea how to buy assessment books at all...fortunately a friend of mine taught me to get Chinese ones. Then the kiasu in me 'woke up' and learnt to explore Popular often.

Along the way, realized some authors for Chinese write too difficult ones esp SAP publications), making son unmotivated to get work done. Go Popular again to comb through other publishers. Now using mainly Learners for Chinese assessment books.

As for Science, some authors like Mabel Cheong, Renee Chong and Helen Lee are not bad but questions do not really follow latest syllabus requirements...worse still, some answers given can be wrong.

Maths worse...I really wash my hands off completely teaching. My job for Maths is to make sure the assessment book follows the syllabus and 'attacks' the areas son is weak in.

When daughter moves up to P2, I will have to learn how and which assessment book to get again. Endless cycle.

Yes, Janet I have to agree to what you have to say.....Exploring with DD1 makes me realise there are many many Assessment Books out there that are\"luring\" me to buy & buy BUT now I really make the effort to stand there and comb through every page. No point buying those too \"chim\" and she gets no motivation to attempt to it and then end of the year, pack and pass to someone else.

I also noticed something - don't know whether you share the same sentiment: Those new publication esp it is the 1st publication and dated 2010 or 2011 - they tend to have many printing errors and the answers are incorrect. I experienced this while buying 2 books when DD1 was in P2 and told myself,\"Don't always go for the new publication - look thru the contents 1st!\" So this is also one of the lesson I learnt.

My DD2 is K2 this year and also being giving assessment books for her to practise on. Those that I bought are quite similar to the P1 syllabus so I hope she able to grasp the concept well before entering P1. Even the school itself is giving them writing that are like P1 std! Oh gosh, Singapore's education is really very chim

[janet88]

Hi Champion,

Some primary school authors write for preschool as well !!! Can you imagine the stress ? Y.F.Foo is a Maths author and he wrote ‘A Must Have Parent’s Guide. Preschool Maths Guide’.

I used to think getting ‘challenging’ problems will be good. How wrong I was. My son refused to get the questions done. So I got another one which has different levels of difficulties. He could do the Maths questions given and felt motivated. That’s why I dumped the idea of ‘Challenging Problems’ now.

I didn’t notice the printing errors in 2010/11 but the Science books are those I am more careful with now…it can make a difference between correct and wrong.

New may not be good. When I see new publications, I flip through and see how and what type of questions are asked, whether son has problems with his present school work and new assessment book can help him. I’m guilty of getting this new title last night, it’s called ‘Mastering Cloze’ by EPH. Avail from P3-6. What I like about this book is the sample answers given on why that particular option is to be used for that particular question.

[plum-cake]

janet_lee88:

plum-cake:

Janet, Can you advice me for the science book titles you normally get for your son. other than conquer.

Thanks.

For Science assessment, I get SAP as this publisher is much better. For some assessment books, the answers given at the back may be wrong, so do look out when you revise the topic after marking it.
Started off with Renee Chong, Mable Cheong and Helen Lee (EPH). Now using 'Learning Science' (lower/upp block) as well as Conquer Science, New Syllabus Science (Helen Lee), Oxford Primary Essentials by Teo-Gwan Wai Lan.

Thank you Dear. :salute:

I am going to get the P3 straight away. then I can see whats the syllabus and depth. Thanks for your help!

[janet88]

plum-cake:

janet_lee88:

[quote=\"plum-cake\"]Janet, Can you advice me for the science book titles you normally get for your son. other than conquer.

Thanks.

For Science assessment, I get SAP as this publisher is much better. For some assessment books, the answers given at the back may be wrong, so do look out when you revise the topic after marking it.
Started off with Renee Chong, Mable Cheong and Helen Lee (EPH). Now using 'Learning Science' (lower/upp block) as well as Conquer Science, New Syllabus Science (Helen Lee), Oxford Primary Essentials by Teo-Gwan Wai Lan.

Thank you Dear. :salute:

I am going to get the P3 straight away. then I can see whats the syllabus and depth. Thanks for your help! [/quote]No worries.
I wouldn't advise you to check out assessment book first. Why don't you take a look at the Science guide book to have a feel ? Some mummies recommended 'Science Ultimate' by Low Wai Kuen (EPH). It's interesting to read as there are experiments to support some concepts mentioned...since PSLE includes everything from P3, get the full version.

[Champion]

janet_lee88:

As for Science, some authors like Mabel Cheong, Renee Chong and Helen Lee are not bad but questions do not really follow latest syllabus requirements...worse still, some answers given can be wrong.

http://postimage.org/image/1p9hdy290/

Hi Janet,
I was doing the CA1 reivsion with my gal and realised, \"WOW! Science is not always so \"straightforward\"! Some questions are boiled down to the understanding of the bais concept. I am currently using the above 4 books to supplement DD1 My Pals Are Here! Textbook. Getting her to write her own notes so she can remember the facts :lol: ...

Any other recommended Assessment Books? Need those who are detailed in their explanation and notes.

Thank you.

[janet88]

Champion:

janet_lee88:

As for Science, some authors like Mabel Cheong, Renee Chong and Helen Lee are not bad but questions do not really follow latest syllabus requirements...worse still, some answers given can be wrong.

Any other recommended Assessment Books? Need those who are detailed in their explanation and notes.

Thank you.

I'm looking for assessment books which give detailed answers but yet to find them it sure beats having to crack my brain to explain why option this and not that.

[plum-cake]

janet_lee88:

No worries.
I wouldn't advise you to check out assessment book first. Why don't you take a look at the Science guide book to have a feel ? Some mummies recommended 'Science Ultimate' by Low Wai Kuen (EPH). It's interesting to read as there are experiments to support some concepts mentioned...since PSLE includes everything from P3, get the full version.

Hi Janet,

thanks again..

yes because I just go through the Primary science Syllabus. there are 5 themes( Diversity, Cycles,Systems, Interactions and Energy). these themes then divided in to 2 age appropriate parts( Lower blk, Upperblk).
this will be reach the students through customised school based programmes.( As long asthe aims of the syllabua are met). So they will study these themes for 4 yrs but each year they will have different levels on skills and processes.
Ex: Energy for Lower blk will contain light and heat but upper block will have Photosynthesis, Energy coversion as well.

So MY coclusion is PSLE includes P3 -P6.

If I am wrong please educate me. Because I have started :frustrated: when I think of these and how to teach her next year...I am already bending over backwards to teach cl. If she ask me any doubts then I had to ring all mummies to get ans.

Thanks for sharing Janet. You are a really good MOMMY! :celebrate:

[Champion]

janet_lee88:

I'm looking for assessment books which give detailed answers but yet to find them it sure beats having to crack my brain to explain why option this and not that.

Yes, Janet - BINGO! I am doing that too! One of the 4 books that I attached earlier - the top right corner \"Thematic Science Process Skills Worksheets (Diversity) by Janet Sim\" - has detailed explanation on why the answer is such and such...Quite Good but I have to re-phrase it into simpler English for my DD1 to understand. She is like,\"Oh Gosh, Mummy - are we into English Grammar again?\" :lol:

So...I have to say, \"Science is never easy and must read a lot!\"

[plum-cake]

janet_lee88:

I'm looking for assessment books which give detailed answers but yet to find them it sure beats having to crack my brain to explain why option this and not that.

Once I put my leg into this science thingie I will let you know my opinions :lol: