Science Guide Books

[cimman]

ChiefKiasu:

cimman:

does anyone know of a good Science Assessment book for MCQ for P4 or even PSLE (topical approach)?

I need something that is challenging, that forces analytical thinking and not the usual testing of the facts kind of question. I've the Ultimate Science Workbook MCQ, but most of the questions there are just testing the memory kind of questions.

DS came back with his SA1 papers and after analysis, found that most questions (MCQ) there were analytical questions, so he didn't fare too well, and some were downright tricky, which I thought was pretty unfair.

Anyway, I need to prepare him for future tricky questions of these nature. So I'm on the lookout for assessment books with challenging MCQ. It can be pitched at PSLE level. I'll just have to filter out the stuff he hasn't learnt yet.

I absolutely agree with this point. Eg. Which is the worst conductor of electricity? (Glass, copper, silver, graphite)

Answer is graphite, because glass does NOT conduct electricity! :yikes: :faint: Is this a fair question at all?

I feel that answering questions is like an onion. There are several layers.
The first layer is the base knowledge area, where one just needs to regurgitate what one has learned.
The second layer is where one needs to analyse based on one's knowledge on a particular topic.
The third layer is where analysis requires knowledge from a multitude of topics and the ability to link the relevant information from the right topics.
The fourth layer is analysis based on general knowledge and awareness of contradictions to stereotypical norms.
The schools obviously think it's fair game to test the children to the deepest levels of analysis.

However, the schools fail to realise that it is their responsibility to prepare children for the analysis levels that is presented in the exams.

I can understand such thinking at higher levels of education, where one expects the student to achieve higher order analysis without formal coaching, but at the primary level ?

[janet88]

ChiefKiasu:

cimman:

I need something that is challenging, that forces analytical thinking and not the usual testing of the facts kind of question. I've the Ultimate Science Workbook MCQ, but most of the questions there are just testing the memory kind of questions.


Anyway, I need to prepare him for future tricky questions of these nature. So I'm on the lookout for assessment books with challenging MCQ. It can be pitched at PSLE level. I'll just have to filter out the stuff he hasn't learnt yet.

I absolutely agree with this point. Eg. Which is the worst conductor of electricity? (Glass, copper, silver, graphite)

Answer is graphite, because glass does NOT conduct electricity! :yikes: :faint: Is this a fair question at all?

The schools obviously think it's fair game to test the children to the deepest levels of analysis.

However, the schools fail to realise that it is their responsibility to prepare children for the analysis levels that is presented in the exams.

I can understand such thinking at higher levels of education, where one expects the student to achieve higher order analysis without formal coaching, but at the primary level ?[/quote]

MCQ section carries 60 marks...if the child can score high, that would be great. However, those questions are not easy to score at upper pri. It's 'almost like OE kind of thinking' question for 2 marks each. My son used elimination method at P3/4 to help him decide on most suitable answer, but the options are very close now.
For Section B ie OE questions, I would really appreciate if authors of Science assessment books can provide a detailed marking answer key...then we will know roughly what the examiner wants. When I read Ultimate Science guide, I feel like I'm studying to be a ' junior scientist or doctor' bcos some questions like circulatory system are so in-depth.

[Champion]

janet_lee88:

When I read Ultimate Science guide, I feel like I'm studying to be a ' junior scientist or doctor' bcos some questions like circulatory system are so in-depth.

Janet, well said; :goodpost: :hi5:

I ask myself, \"Why am I studying \"so hard\" from all the Ultimate Science Guide and those assessment books with very detailed answers! A dear friend whose child in P4 comforted me,\" You are doing the right thing; there is so little time and so many things to cover for Science. So, as parent, even we outsource to a tutor to teach our kid, we still have to do our part to read & guide them along. This is the Singapore Education System!\" :roll:

For Science, now I strongly believe we can't just work the \"old method\" (for my case) - child does the work and we just mark based on the answer sheet at the back. I have to analyse the answer and then explain to DD1 why she is wrong and how the answer should be answer

[janet88]

Champion:

janet_lee88:

When I read Ultimate Science guide, I feel like I'm studying to be a ' junior scientist or doctor' bcos some questions like circulatory system are so in-depth.

For Science, now I strongly believe we can't just work the \"old method\" (for my case) - child does the work and we just mark based on the answer sheet at the back. I have to analyse the answer and then explain to DD1 why she is wrong and how the answer should be answer

I've heard of teachers who have to outsource their own children to tutors...no time to coach themselves :yikes:
I read the MCQs in past year papers before deciding which school to print out for my son. On some days this June, it will be MCQ or else open-ended ones. Need to reinforce his P3/4 work, esp Magnets and Energy. My son will argue when I mark him wrong...then have to explain that his answer doesn't have keyword.

[sleepy]

Is it sufficient just doing assessment books?


Do parents here still send your kids to enrichment/tuiton class?

Any recommendation for a good center?

TIA

[Sun_2010]

ChiefKiasu:

cimman:

does anyone know of a good Science Assessment book for MCQ for P4 or even PSLE (topical approach)?

I need something that is challenging, that forces analytical thinking and not the usual testing of the facts kind of question. I've the Ultimate Science Workbook MCQ, but most of the questions there are just testing the memory kind of questions.

DS came back with his SA1 papers and after analysis, found that most questions (MCQ) there were analytical questions, so he didn't fare too well, and some were downright tricky, which I thought was pretty unfair.

Anyway, I need to prepare him for future tricky questions of these nature. So I'm on the lookout for assessment books with challenging MCQ. It can be pitched at PSLE level. I'll just have to filter out the stuff he hasn't learnt yet.

I absolutely agree with this point. Eg. Which is the worst conductor of electricity? (Glass, copper, silver, graphite)

Answer is graphite, because glass does NOT conduct electricity! :yikes: :faint: Is this a fair question at all?

Not only it is not fair, it is technically incorrect.
Every material will conduct electricity at the breakdown voltage.
Even electrical insulators.

Air is considered to be an electrical insulator, but lightening does streak thru it. So technically glass is the worst conductor of the given materials

Its these kind of questions which masquerade to be tricky just for the sake of being tricky that get me. They are not testing science. :yikes:

[pixiedust]

cimman:

I haven't seen those titles recommended by Kenobi before. At least they're not displayed on Popular's open table section. I'll check it out.

It is a waste to lose marks in the MCQ area and those teachers are making it harder to score here.

I have seen the Asma one on the shelves, not open table. Update your feedback if you analyse - my brain just couldn't process the science MCQ questions well - thanks.

Incidentally, MyPals PSLE guide book and revision/exam paper (orange eagle) - both on 20% discount in Popular now.

[janet88]

pixiedust:

cimman:

I haven't seen those titles recommended by Kenobi before. At least they're not displayed on Popular's open table section. I'll check it out.

It is a waste to lose marks in the MCQ area and those teachers are making it harder to score here.

Incidentally, MyPals PSLE guide book and revision/exam paper (orange eagle) - both on 20% discount in Popular now.

Yes, there is 20% discount on some books by Marshall Cavendish...those for P6. Bought the revision/exam paper (eagle) and another 2 books...normally they would have cost much more w/out discount. There is one i-Science and another Oxford Science too.

[mother777]

phtthp:

hi (buds, Champion, plum_cake, teh_oh, allcc6),


have pm you thum’s personal handphone number … in case you want to contact him to speed up / expidite order and collection from him.

Hi,

Pls help me also by giving Mr. Thum's contact number. I tried emailing him and still no reply from his side yet.

I know he must be really busy. But being a Kiasu mummy, i am getting worried.

Thought of calling up and requesting in person.

pls help to forward the phone number.

Thank you a million in advance

[Champion]

Champion:

I know for Science - is getting tougher and tougher :frustrated: ...I read through briefly the balance topics to be covered for till end of P3

Hello All,
I was planning for the June Holiday revision and thus emailed DD1's Science Teacher to ask her what are the topics that will be covered in Term 3 alone and for CA1 at the end of Term 3. She gave me this list:
1) Exploring Materials,
2) Life cycles of animals,
3) Life cycles of plants

Pardon me for my ignorance - 9 weeks to cover these 3 topics, won't be rush? :? Because I feel \"chem\" when I read up the Ultimate Science Guide on these 3 topics and I literally fall :snooze: ...Haha...probably I am a \"slow learner\" so after 2 pages of reading, I feel like calling it :romance:....Understand some school already push ahead to complete \"materials\" before SA1 so that close the chapter for Diversity :imcool: