High Ability Pupils - Maths. How are you stretching them?

[BeContented]

verykiasu2010:

math olympiad style of training for the HA kids in math need to be done in systematic approach. the AMEC course from school is not enough


so you should sign him up to train for NMOS, AMC, AMC8, SMOPS, RI World MAth, Gauss, PLK etc

Hi,
Sorry for the ignorance....but what is AMEC? For the Maths Hub, he's under the NMOS class, I guess that is sufficient? No?

[verykiasu2010]

cwc:

verykiasu2010:

math olympiad style of training for the HA kids in math need to be done in systematic approach. the AMEC course from school is not enough


so you should sign him up to train for NMOS, AMC, AMC8, SMOPS, RI World MAth, Gauss, PLK etc

Hi,
Sorry for the ignorance....but what is AMEC? For the Maths Hub, he's under the NMOS class, I guess that is sufficient? No?

AMEC is the generic name for school-based advanced mathematic enrichment course

nmos is for p5, then you need to continue to smops for p6, amc 8 is for p5/6, smo for p6/sec 1 onward

[fanren]

cwc:

Hi,

He's P5 this year. I didn't know about this High Ability stuff until we received a letter from school when he was in early P4. Apparently, after the GEP screening in P3 (he didn't clear round 2 tho), those who did well will be identified under this HA scheme - Maths/English. The letter states that MOE has identified him as a High Ability pupil and he was selected to attend a fully funded Maths (~14 lessons) course under the W3 cluster. We need to sign a form to declare commitment to attend. Not sure how long it'll last, but he's still attending another round this year.

On off, he also gets invitation to attend some Maths/Science workshop. There's also an Innovation Programme (~15 sessions) too.

From what I learnt, MOE only identifies and inform the school. Good schools with resources probably do not send their pupils out to other schools. Schools lacking the resources will probably combine and all gather under a particular cluster to provide the course eg. West Grove. That's about all I know.

Actually, I think the word High Ability is a BIG WORD, I would just say they are probably just stronger in that subject with capacity to be stretched more

I agree nowadays, HA or Gifted those words are use carelessly. My son in gifted programme i also dun think he is gifted, maybe just HA nia.

[etuc]

cwc:

sleepy:

Just let him attempt 1 or 2 levels up. Can stretch him to do P6 level Maths questions. Would be more interesting for your ds if P5 is too easy for him.


And need not be solely academic. Can let him do Maths Olympiad questions or brainteasers, IQ puzzles for fun.

Hi Sleepy,
In his earlier years, I would stretch him and teach him a little more than what's in his syllabus as I could see that he is not challenged. Would also let him do 1 level up, but generally, he would still be able to cope without much difficulty. But I stopped that since P4 :oops: Guess it's because he started the HA course plus I signed him up with Maths Hub ~term3, so kinda got lazy You're right, I probably can just start digging out all my treasures (P6 assessments) and start him on them....whatever he hasn't learn, just leave it aside and return later

Honestly, I already own a number of brainteasers, IQ puzzles, NMOS booklets etc.....whenever he has the mood, he'll try them himself. Guess it's more the school syllabus that I'm looking at......

Thanks for reminding me ......I better buck up !!!

If you want your son to continue to be interested and do well in Math, I think it is better to expose him to stuff outside the school syllabus. With his ability, I don't think you have to worry about his PSLE.

Try getting some books by Martin Gardner.

[BeContented]

verykiasu2010:

AMEC is the generic name for school-based advanced mathematic enrichment course

nmos is for p5, then you need to continue to smops for p6, amc 8 is for p5/6, smo for p6/sec 1 onward

Hi,
thanks for the clarification. At least now I learn something more. Sometimes I wonder, should I leave it to the school or should I be more proactive.

Last year, when the school sent my boy for NMOS at P4, I only receive a letter 2 days before the competition......was still totally unaware about all these NMOS then.

[BeContented]

etuc:

If you want your son to continue to be interested and do well in Math, I think it is better to expose him to stuff outside the school syllabus. With his ability, I don't think you have to worry about his PSLE.

Try getting some books by Martin Gardner.

Hi etuc,
I wasn't really worried about his PSLE initially (a bit still lah ) but after numerous conversation with a friend with a child in GEP, she is complaining and complaining about child not learning stuff based on syllabus, harping over her worry that child will not perform in PSLE....it got me kinda worried :?

Thanks for the recommendation. Though I have not heard of Martin Gardner before :oops:, I'll definitely go find out more. In the mean time, I have started him on 'Murderous Maths' (also recommended by friends), so far, he has read a few and is asking for more.

Guess, not all identified HA kids are keen.....actually my younger gal is also identified as HA in Maths, but she is totally not motivated to do anything extra. She refuses to read Murderous Maths or any other Maths Magazine (Maths Venture/Oasis etc)......very unlike the elder brother. Her ability as compared also a few notch away, until now, I'm still puzzled over how she was identified as one

[sandunes]

I think if the school has identify him as HA in Math, then I won't worry abt the academic part.


My ds (also P5) just joined the Spore sch system late last yr. Before that, he was attending schools overseas. As there were no provisions for kids like him in the international schools, the schools allowed him to take the John Hopkins Distance Program (paid by the sch). He has completed Honors Algebra 1 and is eligible to move onto the next course which is Honors Algebra II or Geometry. Besides this course, I did not do anything else for him. He loves to read Math books. He started Murderous Math series when he was 8yo. That was really a great series! He also love Edward Zaccaro's books (avail on Amazon) then.

Now that he is in the Spore sch system (GEP), he didn't continue with the Distance course. The homework from school is enough. I don't want any more academic training for him. He joins the AMEC in school but has yet to participate in any Math Olympiad competitions. He still reads alot but I only buy books selectively. Just visit the Library and look under Index 510. There are loads of interesting Math books!

If u wish to explore more, u can consider going online. u can look at the following sites for ideas. If your ds is interested to learn more advance topics, he can do so online too.

http://mathforum.org/dr/math/
http://www.khanacademy.org/
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/

For these kids, self learning is important. I think it is also important to encourage other passions.

HTH

[BeContented]

sandunes:

I think if the school has identify him as HA in Math, then I won't worry abt the academic part.


My ds (also P5) just joined the Spore sch system late last yr. Before that, he was attending schools overseas. As there were no provisions for kids like him in the international schools, the schools allowed him to take the John Hopkins Distance Program (paid by the sch). He has completed Honors Algebra 1 and is eligible to move onto the next course which is Honors Algebra II or Geometry. Besides this course, I did not do anything else for him. He loves to read Math books. He started Murderous Math series when he was 8yo. That was really a great series! He also love Edward Zaccaro's books (avail on Amazon) then.

Now that he is in the Spore sch system (GEP), he didn't continue with the Distance course. The homework from school is enough. I don't want any more academic training for him. He joins the AMEC in school but has yet to participate in any Math Olympiad competitions. He still reads alot but I only buy books selectively. Just visit the Library and look under Index 510. There are loads of interesting Math books!

If u wish to explore more, u can consider going online. u can look at the following sites for ideas. If your ds is interested to learn more advance topics, he can do so online too.

http://mathforum.org/dr/math/
http://www.khanacademy.org/
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/

For these kids, self learning is important. I think it is also important to encourage other passions.

HTH

Hi,
thanks a lot for the info, honestly all sound rather alien to me :oops: but really appreciate the sharing. At least now I can start from somewhere. As to how far DS can go, the rest is up to him. Must agree, self learning and motivation is very important. Guess I should have been more proactive previously....instead of waiting till now.....but learning is never too late

As to his other passion, that cannot be encouraged cos' its playing the Computer Games Cheers.