Preparing kids for P5 in 2011

[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

[Brenda10]

Augmum:

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.

Hi augmum

Their objective is by hook or by crook, get it solve and score the marks.

[Brenda10]

janet_lee88:

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.

What the CL teacher said is quite true. I use to discuss with dd lot of why, how or what for this type of last question that have to answer using own words.

[Brenda10]

jtoh:

Augmum:

[quote=\"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.[/quote]Hi jtoh, will that be difficult for P6 children to pick up in Secondary 1 since what they learn during primary school (model, unit transfer etc) become redundant ?

[jtoh]

Brenda10:

Hi jtoh, will that be difficult for P6 children to pick up in Secondary 1 since what they learn during primary school (model, unit transfer etc) become redundant ?

Hi Brenda10, I don't think it's difficult for kids to pick up Sec 1 Math. Algebra is quite formulaic so it is not that tough. My dd is doing as well in secondary school math as she did in primary school.