2011 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[Tinkerbelle]

Chenonceau:

English no need. For English he just reads voraciously. The rest kinda sorts itself out. I just give him some training on how to answer compre and how to do a compo that will score. He likes to write in English but his style does not always follow the marking scheme. So he needs a bit of training there.


The method is so tedious and unpleasant that I wouldn't dream of doing it for a language that I speak and write. We've pushed him to read widely ever since young... so no need. Sigh! At least ONE language must be enjoyable right? Heh!

Totally agree.....at least 1 language must be fun & enjoyable. Thank goodness for English....at least DD enjoys English but come to Chinese......well, that's a different story.....can't get her to read Chinese books at all. You are lucky your DS still reads chinese compo..keke

[Tinkerbelle]

ksme:

Is it possible to score full marks for compo? My expectations must be very low then since I only pray for Ds to get 30 and above.

Hi ksme,

Personally, I have yet to come across a compo with full marks. Highest marks for both Eng & Chinese compo at DD's sch is 38/40. Actually, I find that marking compos can be very subjective. A good compo for 1 teacher might not be as good for another teacher. Heard that there'll be 2 markers for compo for PSLE. Wonder it there's the case??

[Tinkerbelle]

wkong:

Tinkerbelle:

[quote=\"Brenda10\"]

We got it from Times Bookstore at Plaza Singapura. I think the March holiday has quite a numbers of shows inclusive of Gnomeo & Juliet's etc.
I’m sure they will be happy with all these shows. :celebrate:

Thanks Brenda. Will go and get the book for DD. Gnomeo & Juliet...sounds interesting....early exposure to Eng literature for the kids...keke

DS's school started with Literature last year. They studied ' I am David' and this year they are taking 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'.

Watch the shows will be much more interesting ;-)[/quote]Hi wkong,

Your DS's sch is very advanced....already reading \"To kill a Mocking Bird\"?? Wow...that's a sec sch literature text. I think it's great that the sch is exposing the kids to literature at a young age.

[Tinkerbelle]

tisha:

DS got his CA1 marks. So dissapointing. Especially maths 70 marks. Says he lost heavily in paper 2. Not yet brought the paper home so I don't yet know where and why he lost the marks.

We have been using OnSponge and Conquer Maths and generally he was able to solve the problems. But when it came to past year top 10 schools he was not able to solve a couple of problems from Paper 2 and also not enough time to finish the paper.
How do I help him to improve his marks in Maths Paper 2 ? :roll:
Generally he used to score in 80s for his maths CA/SA.
Sometimes I hear about students jumping from B to A* and C to A from CA1 to PSLE, how to achive this? :?:

Hi tisha,
Try not to be too upset. :lol: Take this CA1 as a wake-up call for your DS. Since your DS is weaker in paper 2, maybe need to identify his weaker topics and practice more questions on his weaker areas. DD was weak in algebra when she first started the topic. She would get all her algebra questions wrong in any assessment paper. We kept practicising on this topic, and finally, she saw the LIGHT. :idea:

Once your DS covers his weaker areas, you might want to train him on his time management skills so that he can finish his maths paper within the stipulated time. Attempt to complete past year papers within the stipulated time and gradually improve on his speed. For the current CA1 maths paper, DD's teacher took 10 mins away from the stipulated time to make the kids work faster to complete the paper. Though it sounded unfair at first, she can justify why she did that. She wanted to train the kids to work faster and get accustom to that speed so the kids can hopefully finish the PSLE paper.

Don't give up, ya. Encourage your DS heaps. You still have 6 months to work on these areas. Practice makes perfect so if your DS keeps practicing on his maths, I'm sure in no time, he'll show improvement. :rahrah:
Just my 2cents worth.

[Pen88n]

Tinkerbelle:

tisha:

DS got his CA1 marks. So dissapointing. Especially maths 70 marks. Says he lost heavily in paper 2. Not yet brought the paper home so I don't yet know where and why he lost the marks.

We have been using OnSponge and Conquer Maths and generally he was able to solve the problems. But when it came to past year top 10 schools he was not able to solve a couple of problems from Paper 2 and also not enough time to finish the paper.
How do I help him to improve his marks in Maths Paper 2 ? :roll:
Generally he used to score in 80s for his maths CA/SA.
Sometimes I hear about students jumping from B to A* and C to A from CA1 to PSLE, how to achive this? :?:

Hi tisha,
Try not to be too upset. :lol: Take this CA1 as a wake-up call for your DS. Since your DS is weaker in paper 2, maybe need to identify his weaker topics and practice more questions on his weaker areas. DD was weak in algebra when she first started the topic. She would get all her algebra questions wrong in any assessment paper. We kept practicising on this topic, and finally, she saw the LIGHT. :idea:

Once your DS covers his weaker areas, you might want to train him on his time management skills so that he can finish his maths paper within the stipulated time. Attempt to complete past year papers within the stipulated time and gradually improve on his speed. For the current CA1 maths paper, DD's teacher took 10 mins away from the stipulated time to make the kids work faster to complete the paper. Though it sounded unfair at first, she can justify why she did that. She wanted to train the kids to work faster and get accustom to that speed so the kids can hopefully finish the PSLE paper.

Don't give up, ya. Encourage your DS heaps. You still have 6 months to work on these areas. Practice makes perfect so if your DS keeps practicing on his maths, I'm sure in no time, he'll show improvement. :rahrah:
Just my 2cents worth.

Hi Tisha, don't be upset. As I said before, test is not only to test the kids on what they know, it is also to highlight to them what they do not know. Be positive. At least this CA1 shows you where are DS' gaps and you can target on these. Moreover, Maths is a subject easier to \"drill\" and can see \"improvements\" within short time (compared with languages). Target on his paper 2 - which are the topics he is weak at, and get him to practise those type of questions. There is still ample time before PSLE.

Jia You to all kids and parents - continue to improve along your learning journey towards PSLE!! :celebrate:

[Chenonceau]

Tinkerbelle:

tisha:

DS got his CA1 marks. So dissapointing. Especially maths 70 marks. Says he lost heavily in paper 2. Not yet brought the paper home so I don't yet know where and why he lost the marks.

We have been using OnSponge and Conquer Maths and generally he was able to solve the problems. But when it came to past year top 10 schools he was not able to solve a couple of problems from Paper 2 and also not enough time to finish the paper.
How do I help him to improve his marks in Maths Paper 2 ? :roll:
Generally he used to score in 80s for his maths CA/SA.
Sometimes I hear about students jumping from B to A* and C to A from CA1 to PSLE, how to achive this? :?:

Hi tisha,
Try not to be too upset. :lol: Take this CA1 as a wake-up call for your DS. Since your DS is weaker in paper 2, maybe need to identify his weaker topics and practice more questions on his weaker areas. DD was weak in algebra when she first started the topic. She would get all her algebra questions wrong in any assessment paper. We kept practicising on this topic, and finally, she saw the LIGHT. :idea:

Once your DS covers his weaker areas, you might want to train him on his time management skills so that he can finish his maths paper within the stipulated time. Attempt to complete past year papers within the stipulated time and gradually improve on his speed. For the current CA1 maths paper, DD's teacher took 10 mins away from the stipulated time to make the kids work faster to complete the paper. Though it sounded unfair at first, she can justify why she did that. She wanted to train the kids to work faster and get accustom to that speed so the kids can hopefully finish the PSLE paper.

Don't give up, ya. Encourage your DS heaps. You still have 6 months to work on these areas. Practice makes perfect so if your DS keeps practicing on his maths, I'm sure in no time, he'll show improvement. :rahrah:
Just my 2cents worth.

Yup Tisha... it ain't over till it's over eh? It'll be a good diagnostic to help you figure out what to focus on.

[Pen88n]

Tinkerbelle:

Brenda10:

We got it from Times Bookstore at Plaza Singapura. I think the March holiday has quite a numbers of shows inclusive of Gnomeo & Juliet's etc.
I’m sure they will be happy with all these shows. :celebrate:

Thanks Brenda. Will go and get the book for DD. Gnomeo & Juliet...sounds interesting....early exposure to Eng literature for the kids...keke

Do you want Times $2 discount voucher - minimum $10 nett purchase. Expiry 31 Mar. I have 3 to giveaway. Can be by SAE or collect at United Sq on Sat. Interested can PM me.

Btw, just saw terms that redeemable from Times bookstore at Suntec City Mall and Marina Square only.

[phankao]

Tinkerbelle:

Personally, I have yet to come across a compo with full marks. Highest marks for both Eng & Chinese compo at DD's sch is 38/40. Actually, I find that marking compos can be very subjective. A good compo for 1 teacher might not be as good for another teacher. Heard that there'll be 2 markers for compo for PSLE. Wonder it there's the case??

They dont' practise 2 teachers marking in your school? They do that from p3 onwards already as far as I know. And if the marks differ significantly, then there will be a meeting with panel of teachers with HOD.

[pixiedust]

So there ARE children who score full marks for compo ! :!:


chenonceau

An amazing feat achieved by you and your ds. What's more encouraging is that he is able to retain enough to write them out in compos later on. My sad story : Over the Dec holidays, ds only managed to memorise 3, yes THREE compos ! It was so painful.... :stupid: He retained and able to use only the connectors and some shorter phrases. The compo is better structured and fluid, but far far far from good.

Btw, I am also interested to know which dangdang titles you used.

Everyone,
for EL and MT OE compre inferential questions : is it also practise and more practise ? but at home, it is difficult for me to award marks for such questions (even with answer keys).

[tisha]

Tinkerbelle:

Don't give up, ya. Encourage your DS heaps. You still have 6 months to work on these areas. Practice makes perfect so if your DS keeps practicing on his maths, I'm sure in no time, he'll show improvement.

Pen88n:

Hi Tisha, don't be upset. As I said before, test is not only to test the kids on what they know, it is also to highlight to them what they do not know. Be positive. At least this CA1 shows you where are DS' gaps and you can target on these. Moreover, Maths is a subject easier to \"drill\" and can see \"improvements\" within short time (compared with languages). Target on his paper 2 - which are the topics he is weak at, and get him to practise those type of questions. There is still ample time before PSLE.

Chenonceau:

Yup Tisha... it ain't over till it's over eh? It'll be a good diagnostic to help you figure out what to focus on.

Thanks a bunch people, for your encouraging words. I'm already feeling better. Will identify and work on the weak areas as you said. Hopefully by SA1 things will be brighter.