Preparing kids for P5 in 2011

[janet88]

Champion:

janet_lee88:

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.

Yes, Janet - I agree! I feel that they should not forgo Exams for P2 or else by the time they reach P3, is like from honeymooning period to \"raising kids\" period ......Especially in Term 1, the kids are like rushing to adapt to additional subject (Science) and the teachers will suddenly dish out many many worksheets on top of the workbooks - to better prepare them for CA1. Gosh, it's like a mad rush

This crazy idea of doing away with exams is not helping kids. Why forgo exams at P1/2 and then expose them to the harsh reality at P3 ? Science is not easy. It's cruel in fact...even though my gal is a year end bb and still playful at P1, I'm still for the idea of SA at P1.

[pixiedust]

The sample compo books I have are from Popular, I find them ok but not particularly brilliant.


Your objective : ...pic model compo to have more ideas how to inject mood and spice it up a little.

My suggestion is 'Creative Writing for primary 3-6' by Liza Tan published by Mexxi Three. This was recommended by livewithvanilla. The book lists the good phrases by emotions and scenes, small paragraphs of how to use. I feel this book is a good place to start because it is very easy to read and remember, so the kid is more encouraged to remember and use the phrases. Thanks again to dear livewithvanilla for the recommendation.

https://www.popular.com.sg/jsp/product/product_detail.jsp?vca001=112&vpd001=50936#

[janet88]

pixiedust:

The sample compo books I have are from Popular, I find them ok but not particularly brilliant.


Your objective : ...pic model compo to have more ideas how to inject mood and spice it up a little.

My suggestion is 'Creative Writing for primary 3-6' by Liza Tan published by Mexxi Three. This was recommended by livewithvanilla. The book lists the good phrases by emotions and scenes, small paragraphs of how to use. I feel this book is a good place to start because it is very easy to read and remember, so the kid is more encouraged to remember and use the phrases. Thanks again to dear livewithvanilla for the recommendation.

https://www.popular.com.sg/jsp/product/product_detail.jsp?vca001=112&vpd001=50936#

Alamak I got the other 'creative writing' title written by koo. I read 'casco PSLE model compositions' this morn and highlighted the creative phrases. Will get son to read book and practice this holiday.

[Vincent Chua]

hi jess,

i totally agree with what you think. removing the exams from lower primary does not relieve much of the stress that they are going through. it gives them a shorter period to adjust to the exams systems.

the funny thing is whatever you learn in primary school is not going to be relevant in sec. for eg, you do not need to draw models in sec and yet you are discouraged to use algebra in pri level.

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\"....

[Vincent Chua]

hi jess,

i totally agree with what you think. removing the exams from lower primary does not relieve much of the stress that they are going through. it gives them a shorter period to adjust to the exams systems.

the funny thing is whatever you learn in primary school is not going to be relevant in sec. for eg, you do not need to draw models in sec and yet you are discouraged to use algebra in pri level.

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\"....

[care07]

My ds failed his MT compo this CA, how should I help him on that?

[Peony]

janet_lee88:

Hi Peony,

I saw the comments written by his teacher regarding the pic compo..lack of content, predicatable and generally needs to put in more details.

For Maths, amazingly 'stunning' results - 33%. Hubby is super shocked :!:
For the rest of the subjects, all in 60+ range. Lots of hard work needed to pull up for SA1.

Hi livewith_vanilla,
Having difficult papers with high marking standard will give the kids a good wake-up call. This way, they know they have to give answers which examiners want.

Sorry for the super-late response.
For maths, still can catch up!!
Remember, how I said DD failed her first math class test and was very upset? She got 80% in her mock exams -share this with your son to show how we can use a failure to spur us on. DD was determined to bounce back after the tears and she did. She now knows it takes a lot of work. Am happy for her, especially since her teacher labelled her as being \"weak\" in maths.

But she has a long way to go for HMT and English.

[janet88]

HI Peony,

Had parent-teacher meeting this morning.
Son’s Math teacher didn’t expect him to fail as he hands in work and participates well in class. His teacher told us if son is confident with algebra, he can go ahead to use it. Algebra will be taught at P6 first chapter though.

For CL, his teacher asked us to ask him questions about certain scenarios and get his opinion…this is to improve his OE questions esp last question (carries 4 marks) where students are asked for their opinions/views and what they think of the character in the comprehension passage.

In short, he has to work very hard starting from March holidays.

[Augmum]

Vincent Chua:

the funny thing is whatever you learn in primary school is not going to be relevant in sec. for eg, you do not need to draw models in sec and yet you are discouraged to use algebra in pri level.

ya....sound irony :lol:

not only \"no need to draw models in secondary level\"
in some exam papers, it is indicated \"Do not use model-drawing\", marks will not be awarded.

in P5, my gal's teacher also discouraged her to use alegrebra to solve challenging questions....
but when she was in P6, her teacher din not bother what methods they used.....so long u know how to do it.

[janet88]

Vincent Chua:

in P5, my gal's teacher also discouraged her to use alegrebra to solve challenging questions....
but when she was in P6, her teacher din not bother what methods they used.....so long u know how to do it.

In P4 last year, teacher discouraged use of algebra to solve problem sums...this year, teacher said if child can handle algebra, go ahead and use by all means. She won't be teaching algebra as it will confuse the class, although algebra will be taught at P6 first term.

So there is one thing confirmed...P5 Maths is a BIG leap from P4 and totally different too.