Preparing kids for P5 in 2011

[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.

[jtoh]

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.

Yes, secondary school math is quite different from primary school math.

[Augmum]

janet_lee88:

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.

the algebra to be taught in P6 is only forming of simple algebraic equations,
which is inadequate/incapable of solving problems sums.
so pupils have to learn on their own if they wanna to use it.

[janet88]

Augmum:

janet_lee88:

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.

the algebra to be taught in P6 is only forming of simple algebraic equations,
which is inadequate/incapable of solving problems sums.
so pupils have to learn on their own if they wanna to use it.

Yes, Math teacher did mention that the algebra taught at P6 is very basic. If kids are capable of handling algebra, then parents are encouraged to teach them using that method.
The Maths homework given for March holidays are tough...one is from My Pals Homework Book, the other is from My Pals activity book.

[pixiedust]

For ds's school, the Maths HOD told the parents :

1) P6 algebra is simple algebra (as mentioned by Augmum)
2) Besides that, using algebra to solve problem sums is not encouraged in school.
REASON: using models and heuristics is to encourage THINKING SKILLS so using algebra 'defeats' the purpose.
3) but..algebra solution will be accepted in PSLE.
4) from Secondary school, children will be expected to use algebra