The Alternative Story (TAS) - Discussion
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Looking at assessment books and exam papers from the better schools always give me heart attacks. Even if MOE says they want to focus more on character and today there was an article on schools having a homework policy to reduce homework, I do not think it will work. The root cause is the very high standards at PSLE. So we as parents need to be super ready for the kids. My chinese is not fantastic so I start tuition from 5 years old for my kids. For math, I also went for some school workshop on Math heuristics. For English, P1 standards also become like P3. Nowadays it is no longer weak kids who need tuition, almost every kid if you can afford needs tuition.
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hquek:
hi worriedmumz,
I've been preparing my kid's english and chinese for the past few years before they even hit P1. I think they are pretty ok. But the fact is that these days, the requirements are getting harder and harder. I took a look at a P1 compre assessment book, already they have to do inference to get to the answer - this should be higher primary so I don't know why it's in there (luckily it's only a tiny portion).
Recently, I hear that P1 latest syllabus includes editing (saw from assessment books in popular). kids have to know if a punctuation/spelling etc is incorrect and what is the correct item to put in. P1 leh...I nearly fainted again. (lotsa fainting spells when i look at assessment books to gauge where the trend is heading).
My son's teacher tells me he should use more adjectives in his writing - without external help, I don't know if I will be able to coach him to do that. He reads well, but may not know how to apply.
TAS has mostly english classes and they cover the whole gamut of the written paper - compre, compo, vocab, grammar and punctuation. If you feel your child needs help, then go talk to them. they offer one free trial class if you are interested - your child will join an existing class (not an introduction) and can see if he/she likes it there.
Yes editing is tested in P1. My girl's english tests & assessments from school have several questions on this topic... -
jeestan:
Even if MOE says they want to focus more on character and today there was an article on schools having a homework policy to reduce homework, I do not think it will work. The root cause is the very high standards at PSLE. So we as parents need to be super ready for the kids.......Nowadays it is no longer weak kids who need tuition, almost every kid if you can afford needs tuition.
In my opinion, the MOE direction of providing more holistic education and reducing homework means they expect kids to have enrichment/tuition outside to cover more in depth for the subjects. Schools will just touch and go. Some questions i see on those top schools exam papers are really ridiculous for a P1 to handle. -
Callie Tan:
:shock: I heard from external party and thought it's something that's in the offing. I think your girl's school a bit advanced. I don't see that in my kid's worksheets. He doesn't have tests in school (if he does, I have no clue about it). I think DS1 still ok and will be able to handle. But then if he's not exposed to it, not sure if he will know what to do.
Yes editing is tested in P1. My girl's english tests & assessments from school have several questions on this topic...
Thanks....still in state of mini-shock. -
hquek:
Hi hquek,hi worriedmumz,
I've been preparing my kid's english and chinese for the past few years before they even hit P1. I think they are pretty ok. But the fact is that these days, the requirements are getting harder and harder. I took a look at a P1 compre assessment book, already they have to do inference to get to the answer - this should be higher primary so I don't know why it's in there (luckily it's only a tiny portion).
Recently, I hear that P1 latest syllabus includes editing (saw from assessment books in popular). kids have to know if a punctuation/spelling etc is incorrect and what is the correct item to put in. P1 leh...I nearly fainted again. (lotsa fainting spells when i look at assessment books to gauge where the trend is heading).
TAS has mostly english classes and they cover the whole gamut of the written paper - compre, compo, vocab, grammar and punctuation. If you feel your child needs help, then go talk to them. they offer one free trial class if you are interested - your child will join an existing class (not an introduction) and can see if he/she likes it there.
Oh no, I am really too slow. I thought I can start maybe in P1. How to prepare them for so many things?
I might have to bring my girl down for trial for TAS. I thought I could put it off
till P3. I have so many assessment books now but they make me more stressed than my girl. Really education nowadays is no kid's play. I can't imagine if we do not get involved, our kids will really struggle. -
hi worriedmumz,
If your child likes to read, and does it regularly, actually I don’t think there is much to worry about (unless of course your child is in a top school - then the stress is there). Thing about language is that it has to be used constantly. keep your child reading and if possible, get him/her started on writing their own journals. I’m lazy to introduce the journal writing.
Just joking about the heart attacks and fainting spells. I’m still amazed what they can come up with but will try avidly to ‘arm’ my kids so we are prepared. I don’t feel confident coaching my kids in grammar becos my base is not strong, so I feel the need to outsource. For me, I started kids early becos both DH and I work, and becos I want their foundation to be strong. After that, building on should be easier. -
Sorry, but what is TAS? I know TLL = The Learning Lab, right?
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SmallMedLarge:
Sorry, but what is TAS? I know TLL = The Learning Lab, right?
TAS = The Alternative Story. -
Yong HL:
I also feels the same way! When I read the article, inside my heart I am thinking, I need to pump up more on tuition. Cos the exam questions will still be difficult and PSLE standard will still b very high. Unless MOE scape PSLE then its less stress for everyone. But I dont think it will ever happen.jeestan:
Even if MOE says they want to focus more on character and today there was an article on schools having a homework policy to reduce homework, I do not think it will work. The root cause is the very high standards at PSLE. So we as parents need to be super ready for the kids.......Nowadays it is no longer weak kids who need tuition, almost every kid if you can afford needs tuition.
In my opinion, the MOE direction of providing more holistic education and reducing homework means they expect kids to have enrichment/tuition outside to cover more in depth for the subjects. Schools will just touch and go. Some questions i see on those top schools exam papers are really ridiculous for a P1 to handle. -
I called TAS today. Lucky to get them at first try and had arranged to send my triplets for their assessement and trial 2 weeks later. May I know who else here is already in P1 class Sat 2pm at Singpost? Is the teacher good? The current class is already 11 students, so can’t imagine if add my 3 boys in to become 14! Can the teacher cope or our kids concentrate?
TIA
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