Preparing kids for P5 in 2011

[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".

[linden2000]

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\".

hahaha maybe she has been visiting this forum :evil:

[Brenda10]

linden2000:

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\".

hahaha maybe she has been visiting this forum :evil:

Possible! Nevertheless, this is a big improvment compare to 2 comos in 1 term.

[janet88]

linden2000:

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\".

hahaha maybe she has been visiting this forum :evil:

I'm not surprised TEACHERS and PRINCIPALS visiting this forum to find out what parents are thinking or discussing with one another.