LCentral Discussion

[nonKiasu]

Hi. I am considering to sign up my DSs at Tampines branch for Success 2 next yr. May I know anyone can comment on teacher Richard? or any other teacher there? Many thanks in advance.

[deardear07]

mummyang:

Hi Dear dear



I am looking at kovan too , u can PM me your contacts, btw which teacher is ur child with n hows the feedback, my son is going to K1 next year

i pm u le... duno if u got it days ago...?

[vicki]

Hi guys…


Can I chk with you what constitutes foundation class?

My 4.5yr old boy (next year K1) just went for assessment. He knows all the first sounds. Can recognize certain words (they were taught to recognize words instead of just plain old phoenics). Can do abit of last sound. Middle sound got lost cos don’t understand what the tester was testing him.

He got put to Foundation class - which honestly I was surprised cos I don’t believe he is THAT bad.

Is it like you have to go thru their system or their direct competitor system (I can read) to progress?

I was surprised by them putting my boy to Foundation cos in Julia Gabriel N2 ‘I love reading’ class, his teacher did tell me that he is one of the more advanced few. In his cc, his teacher tells me the same too!!

Wondering why…

[MMM]

vicki:

Hi guys...


Can I chk with you what constitutes foundation class?

My 4.5yr old boy (next year K1) just went for assessment. He knows all the first sounds. Can recognize certain words (they were taught to recognize words instead of just plain old phoenics). Can do abit of last sound. Middle sound got lost cos don't understand what the tester was testing him.

He got put to Foundation class - which honestly I was surprised cos I don't believe he is THAT bad.

Is it like you have to go thru their system or their direct competitor system (I can read) to progress?

I was surprised by them putting my boy to Foundation cos in Julia Gabriel N2 'I love reading' class, his teacher did tell me that he is one of the more advanced few. In his cc, his teacher tells me the same too!!

Wondering why....

Hi Vicki,

I understand how you feel.

Lcentral assessment tend to focus on phonetic awareness. As you mentioned, if your child has been taught on words recognition basis, he might struggle with the phonics aspect.

Usually the teacher will explain the basis for putting child in a specific level. Eg my k2 joined only in June this year. She has completed her 2 years adv phonics program at jan & elly. But she was only recommended to start at liftoff. Rationale was though her phonetic ability is there she still has some area to work on. My k2 will complete the program in dec before joining the p1 program. Looking back I wondered if she could have proceed to p f s instead but I was glad that she did liftoff first.

I feel that if there some area are questionable, it might be good to start at lower level so that they build the necessary foundation otherwise they might struggle at some point. The basic phonics rule will be applied even in liftoff so if they are not well versed, they will struggle.

[Vagabond]

Vicki


Just to share, my dd who is K1 this year, went for assessment and comments from the assessor was about the same as your ds - knows her first sounds and last sounds, not sure about middle sounds and knows limited sight words. She was put to Launchpad class. She has since attended 3 lessons and is progressing well according to the teacher. If you find Foundation too simple for your ds and has confidence he can handle Launchpad, think it’s worth it to talk to the Centre again. From what I see, Launchpad workbook 1 and 2 are pretty simple - identify and colour pictures with similar sounds (mostly first or last, some middle), and practise alphabet writing.

I think if the child is put to a class that is too simple for him, it just wastes time and money. Just my humble opinion.

[sean wife]

vicki:

Hi guys...


Can I chk with you what constitutes foundation class?

My 4.5yr old boy (next year K1) just went for assessment. He knows all the first sounds. Can recognize certain words (they were taught to recognize words instead of just plain old phoenics). Can do abit of last sound. Middle sound got lost cos don't understand what the tester was testing him.

He got put to Foundation class - which honestly I was surprised cos I don't believe he is THAT bad.

Is it like you have to go thru their system or their direct competitor system (I can read) to progress?

I was surprised by them putting my boy to Foundation cos in Julia Gabriel N2 'I love reading' class, his teacher did tell me that he is one of the more advanced few. In his cc, his teacher tells me the same too!!

Wondering why....

Hi,
If I remember correctly, Foundation class covers mainly first sounds a-z…there are 3 books, but there is no need to finish all 3 books, especially if the child is just a little way off from the next stage (lauchpad)…
Overall, I feel that LCentral tends to be more cautious in placement of the kids in the appropriate stage i.e. like what MMM mentions, they will recommend placing in a lower stage first, monitor the progress for a while rather than straight away start at the next higher level. Depending on the kid, some may feel more comfortable in a less demanding (threatening) environment for a start, while others may feel bored…but if you feel that your child can handle the Launchpad (more emphasis on middle sounds, blending, segmenting), then maybe you can suggest to start on Launchpad and see how the first few lessons go…
BTW, care to share more about the Julia Gabriel Reading program? Are you giving that up in replacement of Lcentral lesson? I am actually considering their writing class for K1 next year…
Thanks!

[deardear07]

MMM:

vicki:

Hi guys...


Can I chk with you what constitutes foundation class?

My 4.5yr old boy (next year K1) just went for assessment. He knows all the first sounds. Can recognize certain words (they were taught to recognize words instead of just plain old phoenics). Can do abit of last sound. Middle sound got lost cos don't understand what the tester was testing him.

He got put to Foundation class - which honestly I was surprised cos I don't believe he is THAT bad.

Is it like you have to go thru their system or their direct competitor system (I can read) to progress?

I was surprised by them putting my boy to Foundation cos in Julia Gabriel N2 'I love reading' class, his teacher did tell me that he is one of the more advanced few. In his cc, his teacher tells me the same too!!

Wondering why....

Hi Vicki,

I understand how you feel.

Lcentral assessment tend to focus on phonetic awareness. As you mentioned, if your child has been taught on words recognition basis, he might struggle with the phonics aspect.

Usually the teacher will explain the basis for putting child in a specific level. Eg my k2 joined only in June this year. She has completed her 2 years adv phonics program at jan & elly. But she was only recommended to start at liftoff. Rationale was though her phonetic ability is there she still has some area to work on. My k2 will complete the program in dec before joining the p1 program. Looking back I wondered if she could have proceed to p f s instead but I was glad that she did liftoff first.

I feel that if there some area are questionable, it might be good to start at lower level so that they build the necessary foundation otherwise they might struggle at some point. The basic phonics rule will be applied even in liftoff so if they are not well versed, they will struggle.

Hihi, I had the same frustration too, when DS went for assessment. In terms of phonics, he already knew from A-Z, short of those ch, aw, sh, ph, etc... He could tell us the 1st sounds too and started to write numbers and letters.

But they still insist he start at foundation. Initially, he was enthusiatic about going and doing his homework. but subsequently, he found it a chore to just colour so we got him to write his letters learnt on his homework pages. I sort of wanted to give up the class for next yr but lo and behold, his teacher recommended him to launchpad after just 1term+ in foundation. so come Jan 2012, he'd be in launchpad. I hope he can progress forward with the right guidance since I know that in Foundation, hez been given right basics to start off with.

[deardear07]

Yes, agree that child doesn’t need to complete all 3books in foundation coz DS only on 1st book and not even completed yet…

[MMM]

Vicki,


Just to add. The books are available in the school for browsing. If in doubt, browse through what they do. You will have a better idea.

[greenredapple]

My ds just start his launchpad for two lesson…Hope he can cope with it as he is gg to K1 next year…