Preparing kids for P5 in 2011

[2DMommy]

Janet, let's work hard together with our sons. My DS didn't do well for his Maths too and he is very very upset with the marks. He already starts telling me that if he continues with this kind of marks, he's not going to make it to his dream school, he cannot let it happen. :lol: In a way, it's good, at least it wakes him up but hopefully he stay awake all the time

[janet88]

2DMommy:

Janet, let's work hard together with our sons. My DS didn't do well for his Maths too and he is very very upset with the marks. He already starts telling me that if he continues with this kind of marks, he's not going to make it to his dream school, he cannot let it happen. :lol: In a way, it's good, at least it wakes him up but hopefully he stay awake all the time

At least you can feel relieved he thinks this way...mine here upset for just a short while and all is forgotten after that.

Since he is still pretty much engrossed in his Beyblade, yours truly here have to guide his attention to his books :x

[jesschan]

Janet,

If he is interested in Beyblade, maybe you can use it as a carrot. If he does well in an assignment that you set aside for him or revise his work dlilgently for a week, you can help him to "upgrade" his beyblade parts. My children used to be crazy about beyblades too and I know they can be customised to "fight" better.

For my boy, he is aiming to purchase a new phone with bluetooth capabilities so that he can control his lego robot, which he bought with his reward from his granny last year. Now he is working hard to do well to earn his reward again this year. I think sometimes children needs some motivation to study hard. I think it gives them some sense of achievement. After all, there are many other more interesting things to distract them from studying…

[janet88]

jesschan:

Janet,

If he is interested in Beyblade, maybe you can use it as a carrot. If he does well in an assignment that you set aside for him or revise his work dlilgently for a week, you can help him to \"upgrade\" his beyblade parts. My children used to be crazy about beyblades too and I know they can be customised to \"fight\" better.

For my boy, he is aiming to purchase a new phone with bluetooth capabilities so that he can control his lego robot, which he bought with his reward from his granny last year. Now he is working hard to do well to earn his reward again this year. I think sometimes children needs some motivation to study hard. I think it gives them some sense of achievement. After all, there are many other more interesting things to distract them from studying....

My son is playing his Nerf and Beyblade. He is aiming to change his hp (he has dropped hints for a iphone). Will discuss with hubby.

[janet88]

HI Jess,

I was telling hubby maybe we can allow him to change his handphone if he can score Band 2 for all his subjects…high Band 2. Not Iphone yet since it’s just P5.

[janet88]

HI Mummies,

I don’t know about you…but I really cannot understand the big leap from P4 to P5. The gap is just too great.

[jesschan]

Janet,


I think it is due to the format of the exams.

For languages, comprehension is much more difficult and compo is now 40marks. In the past, the good ones can score 18-19 for compo compared to the average 13marks - the difference is only about 5 marks. Now, the average probably scores only closed to 30 compared to the better ones who can score about 38 - the gap is much wider, not forgetting the oral component which is also quite a big part of the total.

For Science, they are tested on more concepts and application stuff. It is very diversified. The Maths paper is also much longer with the introduction of calculators.

That’s why I do not agree with the idea of removing exams for lower primary levels… it is simply delaying the "pain"…

[janet88]

jesschan:

Janet,


I think it is due to the format of the exams.

For languages, comprehension is much more difficult and compo is now 40marks. In the past, the good ones can score 18-19 for compo compared to the average 13marks - the difference is only about 5 marks. Now, the average probably scores only closed to 30 compared to the better ones who can score about 38 - the gap is much wider, not forgetting the oral component which is also quite a big part of the total.

For Science, they are tested on more concepts and application stuff. It is very diversified. The Maths paper is also much longer with the introduction of calculators.

That's why I do not agree with the idea of removing exams for lower primary levels..... it is simply delaying the \"pain\"....

Yes, I agree with you 100%. Delaying exams is not helping things...SA1/2 is reality which kids cannot escape. Why give them the idea of friendly environment when it isn't at P3 ?

Maths Paper divided into 2 parts...that is prolonged torture. My son knocked out after his CA1 Maths last Tue. I've not seen him that tired after exam last year.

[pixiedust]

I agree too.

My friend asked my opinion of no exam till P2 SA2, I told her frankly, if PSLE not changing, better to have exams.

P5 is indeed tough. A real test of the foundation and 实力.
Let’s work hard together and do whatever we can.
To me : Better Late Than Never.

@Janet, I saw you looking for EL compo books ? I have 3 at home, some from Mexxi 3 and also the TAS one. What is your specific requirement ? To practise ? To memorise ? I won’t strongly recommend any but since I have them I can share some info to help you with selection.

[janet88]

pixiedust:

I agree too.

My friend asked my opinion of no exam till P2 SA2, I told her frankly, if PSLE not changing, better to have exams.

P5 is indeed tough. A real test of the foundation and 实力.
Let's work hard together and do whatever we can.
To me : Better Late Than Never.

@Janet, I saw you looking for EL compo books ? I have 3 at home, some from Mexxi 3 and also the TAS one. What is your specific requirement ? To practise ? To memorise ? I won't strongly recommend any but since I have them I can share some info to help you with selection.

PSLE is getting tougher...primary school syllabus is the same too. So how can we skip exams in P2 when there will be SA1 and SA2 PLUS Science at P3. That's very deceiving.

Pixiedust, I don't think it's safe to memorize compos. I've bought Casco PSLE Model Compositions as compo content and vocab is interesting. Also got Creative Writing by Leo Kee Chye. I want son to read the pic model compo to have more ideas how to inject mood and spice it up a little. His compos lack spice and rather dull. Can you share with me what you have ? Thanks.