2011 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[PiggyLalala]

Tinkerbelle:

Pen88n:

[quote=\"Tinkerbelle\"][quote=\"PiggyLalala]P6 Math

Leslie bought some sweets and gave 2/3 of it to Alan. Alan bought some chocolates and gave 2/3 of it to Leslie. Leslie ate 6 chocolates and Alan ate 6 sweets. The ratio of Leslie's chocolates to sweets become 2:1 and the ratio of Alan's chocolates to sweets is 4:5. How many chocolates did Alan buy? (5 marks)

However, she usually prefers to use the unit transfer method and simultaneous equation to solve most of her maths questions. She thinks it's faster than drawing models.

What about your DD/DS? What does he/she prefer?

DS used algebra to solve this question.[/quote][/quote][/quote]
Hi pen88n,
Algebra is a good & fast method to use but at this stage, some P6 kids are still not familiar with using algebra so.... your DS is really good. :boogie:[/quote][/quote][/quote][/quote]

hi tinkerbelle,
Units and parts method is also algebra isnt it? Just that they use p = parts and u = units instead of x and y. Am I right to say that they also need to solve the simultaneous equations for the units and parts.

Seemed like not many pupils like the model method and the model method is is not easy to master.

[Tinkerbelle]

Pen88n:

Brenda10:

[quote=\"Tinkerbelle\"]It seems like it's a norm now for K2, P1 & P2 children to go for some form of enrichment. DD2 mentioned that majority of her P2 classmates go for enrichment lessons. :skeptical:


Yes, looks like things have changed since our DS/DD were in P1.:evil:

Hi Tinkerbelle

Just to share with you that during my visit to Library this few months, I can observe quite a lot of very young age children are reading books beyong their level and also they can speak either EL or CL that is very very well!

Think the standard will raise again! :nailbite:

Yes, I think the standard has risen. DD in P1 is doing work which DS used to do in P2. A lot of her classmates have tuition for languages and Maths. I am still of the opinion that these are not necessary at this age, and they should read to improve languages instead, so have not sent her to any classes. Sometimes, the KS part of me will question if I'm denying her the opportunity to develop her fullest potential by not sending her to classes. But I also believe the foundation should be built based on reading, not sending to classes and learning grammar rules and vocab by doing assessment only. Quite a dilemma at times.[/quote]I also noticed DD2 P2's work is harder that DD1's when she was in P2. Nowadays, they expose the students to heuristics earlier in P1.

:hi5: I also don't send DD2 for any enrichment lessons. Being a SAHM, I can guide her myself but sometimes I feel I'm not doing enough, especially since DD1 is having PSLE this year so more attention is given to DD1 now. I totally understand your dilemma...When kiasuism sets in, I too wonder if I've short-changed DD2 by not sending her for enrichment class. :scratchhead:

[Tinkerbelle]

Brenda10:

Tinkerbelle:

Due to time constraint, DD usually only revise for EL the night before her exams.. :oops: Think must change strategy for PSLE.... Too much at stake for PSLE.


For MT, did your DD's sch set ci yu questions beyond the textbook for the prelim papers? DD mentioned her sch tested on words not found in text book. Do you know if that's the norm for PSLE too? Tks.

Wow.....your DD very shiok....can stay till 5pm....what a lucky gal. Mummy can also go and relax and pamper yourself ya... :imanisland:

:hi5:
Haha, for CL we use to do that but since this is an important exam think is better to sort out during this few weeks.

I'm not sure but I think is possible that they have one or two questions that using some new words otherwise most of them should be able to score well.

Also noted 理解问题 are also being asked in the different way, as such the children has to understand the quoted passage or phrases otherwise cannot answer lah!

Yes, think she will be very happy as can play for so long! :rahrah:

Thanks Brenda....I think you're right. They test beyond the textbook to sieve the cream of the crop out.

理解问题 is tough these days. DD finds it difficult to score. Hopefully MT won't pull her PSLE T-score down too much. :nailbite:

[Brenda10]

Tinkerbelle:

Brenda10:

:hi5:

Haha, for CL we use to do that but since this is an important exam think is better to sort out during this few weeks.

I'm not sure but I think is possible that they have one or two questions that using some new words otherwise most of them should be able to score well.

Also noted 理解问题 are also being asked in the different way, as such the children has to understand the quoted passage or phrases otherwise cannot answer lah!

Yes, think she will be very happy as can play for so long! :rahrah:

Thanks Brenda....I think you're right. They test beyond the textbook to sieve the cream of the crop out.

理解问题 is tough these days. DD finds it difficult to score. Hopefully MT won't pull her PSLE T-score down too much. :nailbite:

Hi Tinkerbelle,

Agree!

Beside 理解问题 , another problem is the CL compo.. DD still cannot write well during the prelim and score 32! :scared:

[hashroop]

I’ve got the 2011 Prelim in my hands now. I’m open to questions on what where n hows

[Tinkerbelle]

PiggyLalala:

Tinkerbelle:

Hi pen88n,
Algebra is a good & fast method to use but at this stage, some P6 kids are still not familiar with using algebra so.... your DS is really good. :boogie:

hi tinkerbelle,
Units and parts method is also algebra isnt it? Just that they use p = parts and u = units instead of x and y. Am I right to say that they also need to solve the simultaneous equations for the units and parts.
Seemed like not many pupils like the model method and the model method is is not easy to master.

Hi PiggyLalala,
You are right...the concept of 'units & parts' also uses simultaneous equations to solve questions like algebra. DD told me that the class has been taught to call 'units & parts' as the unit transfer method and the method used by SAPlayer below as the 'algebra' method.

Let the number of chocolates bought =x
Let the number of sweets bought =y
2(1/3y) = 2/3 x-6 --------equation 1
4(2/3 y-6) = 5(1/3 x) ---------equation 2
From equation 1,
2y = 2x -18 --------------- equation 3
From equation 2,
8y -72 = 5x ---------------- equation 4

Substitute equation 3 into equation 4
4(2x -18) -72 = 5y
8x -72 -72 = 5x
3x = 144
X = 48

I think models are not as popular, maybe because students find drawing models time consuming under exam conditions.

[PiggyLalala]

Tinkerbelle:

PiggyLalala:

[quote=\"Tinkerbelle\"]
Hi pen88n,
Algebra is a good & fast method to use but at this stage, some P6 kids are still not familiar with using algebra so.... your DS is really good. :boogie:

hi tinkerbelle,
Units and parts method is also algebra isnt it? Just that they use p = parts and u = units instead of x and y. Am I right to say that they also need to solve the simultaneous equations for the units and parts.
Seemed like not many pupils like the model method and the model method is is not easy to master.

Hi PiggyLalala,
You are right...the concept of 'units & parts' also uses simultaneous equations to solve questions like algebra. DD told me that the class has been taught to call 'units & parts' as the unit transfer method and the method used by SAPlayer below as the 'algebra' method.

Let the number of chocolates bought =x
Let the number of sweets bought =y
2(1/3y) = 2/3 x-6 --------equation 1
4(2/3 y-6) = 5(1/3 x) ---------equation 2
From equation 1,
2y = 2x -18 --------------- equation 3
From equation 2,
8y -72 = 5x ---------------- equation 4

Substitute equation 3 into equation 4
4(2x -18) -72 = 5y
8x -72 -72 = 5x
3x = 144
X = 48

I think models are not as popular, maybe because students find drawing models time consuming under exam conditions. [/quote] :thankyou: for your sharing.

[Pen88n]

Tinkerbelle,

Actually looking through DS’ answer now, I realised it is a mixed of model with units and parts, rather than alegebra per say. His algebra is not so strong and sometimes he will make some mistakes which he cannot realise (sometimes due to carelessness like transferring of +/-), so there is a risk there. I always tell him if he chooses to use algebra, he has to check his answer else he might end up with no marks!

[PiggyLalala]

Pen88n:

Tinkerbelle,

Actually looking through DS' answer now, I realised it is a mixed of model with units and parts, rather than alegebra per say. His algebra is not so strong and sometimes he will make some mistakes which he cannot realise (sometimes due to carelessness like transferring of +/-), so there is a risk there. I always tell him if he chooses to use algebra, he has to check his answer else he might end up with no marks!

I am just thinking if most students did not not use model to solve the word porblems, is it advisable to train my child just to do by the unit and part methods and do away with models. If he practises the units and parts method (which to me is also algebra) since P4, then by P6 he should be able to handle such questions easily. Am I right to say this? OR is it too risky not to learn the model method? Any comments from anyone. TIA

[Tinkerbelle]

Brenda10:

Tinkerbelle:

Thanks Brenda....I think you're right. They test beyond the textbook to sieve the cream of the crop out.


理解问题 is tough these days. DD finds it difficult to score. Hopefully MT won't pull her PSLE T-score down too much. :nailbite:

Hi Tinkerbelle,

Agree!

Beside 理解问题 , another problem is the CL compo.. DD still cannot write well during the prelim and score 32! :scared:

Hi Brenda,
I know what you mean about CL compo. 30-34 is usually DD's norm for CL compo. Her teacher said she always loses marks for \"cuo bie zi\" :slapshead: On bad days, she can even score 28!! :yikes: