Preparing kids for P5 in 2011

[janet88]

Peony:

It's becoming more and more clear that the challenges DD faces is just one part her studies... the bigger challenge is rising beneath the negative environment she has to be in daily. An environment so negative that it seeps her of her esteem.


Are your kids fortunate to have an environment that builds self-esteem or is yours like mine, in one that kills it.

I guess P5 parents like us are all facing the same difficulties and so makes it pointless to say anything...just didn't expect such a tough time at P5 you know what I mean right...it's just primary school. How can life be so miserable at the age of 11 ???

Some teachers are so stressed having to meet tough instructions from their principals/HODs...some are plainly not cut out to be teachers bcos they go to class with that black face everyday.
Life is miserable for the kids bcos they are demoralized after school.

[Chenonceau]

Peony:

Hi P5 parents!


This thread has been quiet for a few days. To start the ball rolling again, perhaps I update on what we've been through recently.

It's becoming more and more clear that the challenges DD faces is just one part her studies... the bigger challenge is rising beneath the negative environment she has to be in daily. An environment so negative that it seeps her of her esteem.

Are your kids fortunate to have an environment that builds self-esteem or is yours like mine, in one that kills it.

It's a silent killer and I'm just thankful I've been able to identify it sooner rather than later. God knows what frustration and desperation can do to a child. :imdrowning:

Exactly! The problem is that the P5 year is fraught with negative vibes. Schools seem to think that the way to motivate kids is to show them how lousy they are. Certainly, there are moments to use this strategy but to use it indiscriminately with every child is to butcher their psyches. Not every child has parents at home who will say \"Babe! Who cares! It's a silly system.\" Many parents assume that their child has been lazy.

My son gets spelling lists with \"grunted\" and \"granted\"... If the teacher can't pronounce, the child gets it wrong. I know that DS can spell both, say both and use both. But he is not getting full marks for spelling because his teacher can't pronounce and the word lists are designed to trick students.

What's wrong with allowing students some sense of achievement at spelling? Is there are need to trick and outwit our little ones at every turn?

[Brenda10]

Chenonceau:

My son gets spelling lists with \"grunted\" and \"granted\"... If the teacher can't pronounce, the child gets it wrong. I know that DS can spell both, say both and use both. But he is not getting full marks for spelling because his teacher can't pronounce and the word lists are designed to trick students.


What's wrong with allowing students some sense of achievement at spelling? Is there are need to trick and outwit our little ones at every turn?

Agree, usually the full marks of EL spelling with sticker will make the child happy and delighted!

[janet88]

Chenonceau:

Peony:

It's a silent killer and I'm just thankful I've been able to identify it sooner rather than later. God knows what frustration and desperation can do to a child. :imdrowning:

Exactly! The problem is that the P5 year is fraught with negative vibes. Schools seem to think that the way to motivate kids is to show them how lousy they are. Certainly, there are moments to use this strategy but to use it indiscriminately with every child is to butcher their psyches. Not every child has parents at home who will say \"Babe! Who cares! It's a silly system.\" Many parents assume that their child has been lazy.

I've become a coach-cum-counsellor to my P5 son after school everyday...so much so that I've switched off where spelling grades are concerned. No point making a big deal over it.
There are definitely better and more impt things to focus on rather than spelling.
Where assessment books are concerned, I do not ask him to do everything but just the necessary sections.

[Peony]

Chenonceau:

Exactly! The problem is that the P5 year is fraught with negative vibes. Schools seem to think that the way to motivate kids is to show them how lousy they are. Certainly, there are moments to use this strategy but to use it indiscriminately with every child is to butcher their psyches. Not every child has parents at home who will say \"Babe! Who cares! It's a silly system.\" Many parents assume that their child has been lazy.

My son gets spelling lists with \"grunted\" and \"granted\"... If the teacher can't pronounce, the child gets it wrong. I know that DS can spell both, say both and use both. But he is not getting full marks for spelling because his teacher can't pronounce and the word lists are designed to trick students.

What's wrong with allowing students some sense of achievement at spelling? Is there are need to trick and outwit our little ones at every turn?

My dear, you put it so aptly!!

Chenonceau, Janet and Brenda, your kids are so fortunate to have mums like you who are aware of what's going on.

Sometimes DD will tell me of certain friends who she thinks are frustrated. What do I do?

[pixiedust]

I’ve ‘switch-off’ spelling for some years now. The spelling lists and words are not very useful in my opinion. We just aim to do well enough to avoid the re-spelling. No point waste too much time and energy. Most words are not retained in long term memory if there is no structured approach.


Maybe because ds had such a censored FT last year, this year, in comparison is not so bad. We are just struggling with the work load and busy schedules, not too much negative vibes (yet).

Peony, regarding the friends - meaning the friends are feeling pressurised and frustrated ? I think what I’ll do is to talk to my own kid, ensure he doesn’t feel more frustrated seeing the friends are affected. Suggest to them to help each other cope/relax by doing bits of fun things during recess or other opportunities. Poor kids of this generation, so much pressure.

[Peony]

Pixiedust,


Thanks for the tip. She has been sharing her feelings with some friends, hence how she learns that there others feeling low. Will encourage her to share the same tips I’ve been giving her.

These kids manifest their frustrations differently and from what I gather, some "switch off" or act out at home.

[janet88]

pixiedust:

I've 'switch-off' spelling for some years now. The spelling lists and words are not very useful in my opinion. We just aim to do well enough to avoid the re-spelling. No point waste too much time and energy. Most words are not retained in long term memory if there is no structured approach.

If those spelling words are of use, fine...Learn them.
But I don't insist on 100%...as long as there is some effort put in...bcos there is a section called 'Editing' in SA that tests spelling.

[linden2000]

janet_lee88:

pixiedust:

I've 'switch-off' spelling for some years now. The spelling lists and words are not very useful in my opinion. We just aim to do well enough to avoid the re-spelling. No point waste too much time and energy. Most words are not retained in long term memory if there is no structured approach.

If those spelling words are of use, fine...Learn them.
But I don't insist on 100%...as long as there is some effort put in...bcos there is a section called 'Editing' in SA that tests spelling.

yes, there're some marks allocated in the exam.
I also never really bother about spelling because some of the words in the lists are not commonly used. But 听写 is a different story, will learn the words every weekend since son's so weak in Chinese.

[Chenonceau]

It’s very strange. My son’s lazy FT has been giving the class one compo every week compared to 2 compos in 1 term. And now she actually write one short sentence comment.


To borrow a phrase from Buds… "I LOIKE".