All About Preparing For Primary One

[hquek]

hi jeanig,


All depends on your girl and your expectations. My fren’s kid didn’t have english enrichment prior to P1 and is managing well. Mine had and still is having english enrichment, and he’s doing fine also.

Thing I feel about schools is that some may not be coaching kids on the basic rules becos it’s more of teach less learn more. My kid’s teacher expects them to write more sentences, use more adjectives etc; but I’m not sure how she’s teaching them to do it. I am relying more on external help, plus at home stuff (assessment books, story books) to make sure his basics are covered.

[momresource]

Thanks mummies for your input and also has set my mind at ease, a little!


I would say my kid learning profile is kind of imbalance… for English I supposed if TLL offers him a place, then his standard should be ok bah but I just can’t get over his spellings (not those from school, but those really simple words)… my guess is that he is sight-reading thus can’t decipher phonics way to spell… however, he had tried but gave up easily because he knew the word was wrong due sight-read capability. No problem with reading (keeping finger crossed), he is able to read newspaper (spotting toy sales and kids events) and now into magic tricks, he has been reading manuals…

For Maths, I reckon he is not exposed to areas like techniques and number bonds, also due to the lack of practices… However those questions requires spatial knowledge and IQ type, he is willing to attempt, but if it is those 1 page with questions of arithmetic just simply turned him off… mostly talked his way out till I tear my hair out or vomit blood…

Thus, I still require a school to take someone like him; not those who teach 1 term before in order to make him advance… I need a crash course to ensure that his fundamentals are there! Any recommendations greatly appreciated!

[SAHM_TAN]

I think besides academic, we also need to prepare our child mentally and socially ready for P1

[jeanieg]

Thanks, hquek for your feedback.


I do not have much expectation for P1. I guess even if I stop her ICR class, I should be able to coach her at home. Maybe I should let her continue the class as she starts P1 and see how it goes. If the school covers what they cover in ICR than I can stop. No point having her learnt "twice" and wasting money right?

[Celyw]

momresource:

Any parents here know of schools conducting crash P1 preparation class for English/Math combined? Looking at not more than 20 lessons type... nearly fainted when my dear son was cracking his head off to give me single digit addition and subtraction questions?? Luckily he didn't use his toes to count... Btw, he doesn't have any math enrichment or Abacus knowledge.

haha you are so funny...but I think if you let him practise 1~2 assessment books, he can pick up the pace assuming his Kindergarten did teach him single digit addition and subtraction?

[Celyw]

jeanieg:

I have a K2 girl going to P1 next year. She is currently taking I Can Read and is learning to read short stories. She can read words and short sentences by the phonics way. Next year ICR will be going into Oral Comprehension and Creative Writing, etc. Am thinking of stopping her lessons in Dec as I think P1 should be covering those topics and I also do not want to overwhelm her with too much stuff to learn.


Anyone has any experience in this to share?

hi jeanieg, same my child going P1 next year and going to complete ICR by this november so intend to stop him and see he can manage in pri school b4 deciding what enhancement he need..

[jocekoh]

Dear Parents,


My daughter will be in Primary 1 student of Ngee Ann Primary in year 2012. But the letter indicated that parents will not be allowed in the school on first day of school? Why is that so? I feel so insecured since it is a totally new & unfamiliar environment for her. I will be worried sick the whole day imagining what difficulties she will be facing in school is this normal for all primary school? anyone can advise me? Thanks

[hquek]

hi jocekoh,


Different schools, different modes. mine also the same. Parents are not allowed in the school during operational hours - recess also cannot go in.

It’s okay lah. Teachers will take care, and usually there will be a buddy system assigned. In my kid’s school, they were given catered food for first 2 weeks and also early release for recess (so they dun have to jostle with the older kids).

Let go and have assurance in the school. They have been doing this for many years, I’m sure they know what they are doing.

[Busymom]

Celyw:

momresource:

Any parents here know of schools conducting crash P1 preparation class for English/Math combined? Looking at not more than 20 lessons type... nearly fainted when my dear son was cracking his head off to give me single digit addition and subtraction questions?? Luckily he didn't use his toes to count... Btw, he doesn't have any math enrichment or Abacus knowledge.

haha you are so funny...but I think if you let him practise 1~2 assessment books, he can pick up the pace assuming his Kindergarten did teach him single digit addition and subtraction?

Actually, it is quite true. The first 2 topics are numbers and number bonds. Addition and subtraction is something that you can teach as a concept. First within ten, then within twenty. I think there is nothing wrong with using fingers to count (we all learnt that way in primary one, didn't we?)

I don't believe in doing a crash course in Math. It is better to build a strong foundation through a steady pace. If you are really concerned about his standard, can consider sending him for an assessment at places such as MPM or Enopi. They will let him try some test paper to guage the level that he can start with. From there, you can probably tell if he can start off at P1 level or mid-K2 level. The good thing about MPM is that their books are very colorful and have lots of pictures/diagrams to make doing the workbook quite fun (probably same for Enopi). Some of the questions also require a bit of thinking skills, definitely not just rote learning.

[z_lynn]

Busymom:

Celyw:

[quote=\"momresource\"]Any parents here know of schools conducting crash P1 preparation class for English/Math combined? Looking at not more than 20 lessons type... nearly fainted when my dear son was cracking his head off to give me single digit addition and subtraction questions?? Luckily he didn't use his toes to count... Btw, he doesn't have any math enrichment or Abacus knowledge.

haha you are so funny...but I think if you let him practise 1~2 assessment books, he can pick up the pace assuming his Kindergarten did teach him single digit addition and subtraction?

Actually, it is quite true. The first 2 topics are numbers and number bonds. Addition and subtraction is something that you can teach as a concept. First within ten, then within twenty. I think there is nothing wrong with using fingers to count (we all learnt that way in primary one, didn't we?)

I don't believe in doing a crash course in Math. It is better to build a strong foundation through a steady pace. If you are really concerned about his standard, can consider sending him for an assessment at places such as MPM or Enopi. They will let him try some test paper to guage the level that he can start with. From there, you can probably tell if he can start off at P1 level or mid-K2 level. The good thing about MPM is that their books are very colorful and have lots of pictures/diagrams to make doing the workbook quite fun (probably same for Enopi). Some of the questions also require a bit of thinking skills, definitely not just rote learning.[/quote]
I feel you, MomResource. Now it's almost Nov and my daughter has yet grasped the concept of addition within 10 much less number bonds and I'm sarting to panic. But, BusyMom, if what you say is true, then do you think it'd be too late for me to send my daughter for classes at MPM now?