2011 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[Leanne]

Hello Tinkerbelle,


Am in the same shoe as you, much attention is focus on ds1 and neglected ds2.

I never sent him to any enrichment except for chinese.Was coaching him while ds1 is taking a break.All the chinese words that he is learning definately is of higher std than yester years.

Dont think will send him to any enrichment.Will make ds1 to be his personal tutor after his psle.Mummy will be the supervisor then.Its time for him to pay back.


Cheers,
Leanne


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:[/quote]

[Tinkerbelle]

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!

Hi Pen88n,
DD's algebra also not her strength. She's like your DS....sometimes she'll get her signs mixed up after transferring over...keke

Will your DS draw models for all his math questions?

[PiggyLalala]

Tinkerbelle:

Brenda10:

[quote=\"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:[/quote]Hi tinklebelle,
I would say to be able to score 30-34 in CL compo is considered to be very good. My ds1 will usually score around 28 to 30. I think he managed to hit 32 only once. Did your dd attend any creative chinese class?

All the best to her PSLE.

[Tinkerbelle]

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

Hi PiggyLalala,
When I attended DD2' parents' briefing last yr....was told by the teacher that models are actually a pictorial form of algebra.....so it's easier for pri sch kids to understand.

Personally, I feel that models do have their merits for kids that can visualize the question better with diagrams. Furthermore, some questions can be solved quicker with models. At the end of the day, it really depends on which method the child feels most comfortable with. Knowing different methods also provides avenues for the pri sch child to use alternative methods should he/she have problems solving the question with their usual method.

However, having said that, I was told that in sec sch, models are no longer used and algebra is more commonly used so in this aspect, knowing how to do simultaneous equations have its advantages in sec sch. Just my 2cents worth.

[Pen88n]

Tinkerbelle:

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!

Hi Pen88n,
DD's algebra also not her strength. She's like your DS....sometimes she'll get her signs mixed up after transferring over...keke

Will your DS draw models for all his math questions?

No....he hates to draw models! He will choose to use any other methods and not model unless can't escape.

[PiggyLalala]

Tinkerbelle:

PiggyLalala:

[quote=\"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

Hi PiggyLalala,
When I attended DD2' parents' briefing last yr....was told by the teacher that models are actually a pictorial form of algebra.....so it's easier for pri sch kids to understand.

Personally, I feel that models do have their merits for kids that can visualize the question better with diagrams. Furthermore, some questions can be solved quicker with models. At the end of the day, it really depends on which method the child feels most comfortable with. Knowing different methods also provides avenues for the pri sch child to use alternative methods should he/she have problems solving the question with their usual method.

However, having said that, I was told that in sec sch, models are no longer used and algebra is more commonly used so in this aspect, knowing how to do simultaneous equations have its advantages in sec sch. Just my 2cents worth. [/quote]Thanks for sharing again. Yes, models are pictorial algebra and that in secondary schools, models are no longer used and instead students are expected to solve using algebra.

The difficult part of model, I feel is, to tranform the key information in the word problems into models. For some more complicated questions, it is just so difficult to draw the corret models and 'practice made prefect' does not seem to work in model drawing.

[Tinkerbelle]

Leanne:

Hello Tinkerbelle,


Am in the same shoe as you, much attention is focus on ds1 and neglected ds2.

I never sent him to any enrichment except for chinese.Was coaching him while ds1 is taking a break.All the chinese words that he is learning definately is of higher std than yester years.

Dont think will send him to any enrichment.Will make ds1 to be his personal tutor after his psle.Mummy will be the supervisor then.Its time for him to pay back.
Cheers,
Leanne

Hi Leanne,

:rotflmao: That sounds like a great idea....So Mummy gets promoted to be a Supervisor. Can 'kiao ka' already...keke. Mmmm...maybe I should ask DD1 to coach DD2 during the sch holidays too. :idea:

Actually, I don't wanna send DD2 for enrichment classes yet as I do not want to stress her out too much yet. Still want her to have some pleasant childhood memories. Will see how she goes next yr with another subject.

[Tinkerbelle]

Pen88n:

Tinkerbelle:

[quote=\"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!

Hi Pen88n,
DD's algebra also not her strength. She's like your DS....sometimes she'll get her signs mixed up after transferring over...keke

Will your DS draw models for all his math questions?

No....he hates to draw models! He will choose to use any other methods and not model unless can't escape.[/quote] :hi5: DD also uses models as a last resort when she cannot solve any questions and is on the verge of :frustrated:

[Brenda10]

Tinkerbelle:

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:

Hi Tinkerbelle,

That why's hopefuly they do well in paper 2 to cover up for the CL compo.

Meantime, I just take out her compo. book and ask her to read and editing by good ci yu or phrases and hopefully she can do better in this coming PSLE!

[Tinkerbelle]

PiggyLalala:

Tinkerbelle:

Hi PiggyLalala,

When I attended DD2' parents' briefing last yr....was told by the teacher that models are actually a pictorial form of algebra.....so it's easier for pri sch kids to understand.

Personally, I feel that models do have their merits for kids that can visualize the question better with diagrams. Furthermore, some questions can be solved quicker with models. At the end of the day, it really depends on which method the child feels most comfortable with. Knowing different methods also provides avenues for the pri sch child to use alternative methods should he/she have problems solving the question with their usual method.

However, having said that, I was told that in sec sch, models are no longer used and algebra is more commonly used so in this aspect, knowing how to do simultaneous equations have its advantages in sec sch. Just my 2cents worth.

Thanks for sharing again. Yes, models are pictorial algebra and that in secondary schools, models are no longer used and instead students are expected to solve using algebra.

The difficult part of model, I feel is, to tranform the key information in the word problems into models. For some more complicated questions, it is just so difficult to draw the corret models and 'practice made prefect' does not seem to work in model drawing.

Ya, I agree that models can be confusing at times, especially for the challenging questions. Probably that's the reason why it's not popular among students. Is your DD/DS in P6 this year?