2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
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Read a fair bit on supp Class from Parents in the Last 2 pages ....
Let me view it from the other End ....
With 4 Subjects, 2x a Week Supp Class = 1 Supp Class every Fortnite for each subj.
To me, that is Not really too much time spent ....
Maybe coz My Gal does not have tuition, So don't really find 1.5hr after sch is a lot of time spent. (In fact she spent far more time on her CCA per Week!)
To me, I've just treat these sessions as tuition for my Gal.
There R some Reinforcement conducted during supp class esp on Lang that may be useful. In Oral esp'ly.
The T get to have more time to focus on each kid for Practice, towards the last month or so of supp class B4 PSLE Oral. Prior to that, Guess the T have to spend time finishing the P6 sch works, both during sch time and thru supp class.
Maybe diff sch got diff style, diff effectiveness in conducting supp class. But for a Relatively Hands-Off, L-F Mummy like me, I've No Strong Objection to Supp Class.
And Errrrrrrr .... Btw ....
I have Officially Ended My Final Tour of Duty for PSLE this yr
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psle2011mum:
I did the same as you did this year. My son doesn't like to be the odd one out either but when asked to evaluate intensity and effectiveness of learning, he said that he learnt more at home with me and faster... and he then appreciated that he could play more.Hi Everyone
I have to say that pulling my DD out of the Supp classes did have the effect of the teachers/HOD sending me long emails about how important the Supp classes were and also an offhand remark made in class to the students about how Supp classes will help them in the PSLE so they should attend.
I think the main reason these didn't bother me was mostly because I was very hands-on and also somewhat more \"courageous\" having been through a 2009 PSLE; so I really knew what they did [ and didn't do] at the Supp classes.
I do know of some children who don't like missing out on the Supp classes because it makes them different from the rest of the class [ DD was the only one of two students who didn't attend and the other child had a legitimate excuse ] so this route is not for everyone.
I wasn't too concerned about \"missing syllabus\" because I taught DD almost everything before the school did [ so that she had no excuses not to do the full papers for practice at home] and also went through all the work my DD did before it was handed in and after the corrections came back, so I guess Supp classes really would not have been useful for us.
I'm supposed to be at work now [ I work full time] so I'm afraid I can't share more in this post but will look for time this weekend to share more.
I chose to pull him outta supp classes because I don't wanna make him work on weekends at all. He does no work on Sundays but still made it to top 5% of his cohort this year, receiving a $400 award from MOE. I can't bear to see my son not play at all... -
psle2011mum:
Hi psle2011mom, I really salute you! Being a full time working mom, you are so hands-on with your dd.Hi Everyone
I have to say that pulling my DD out of the Supp classes did have the effect of the teachers/HOD sending me long emails about how important the Supp classes were and also an offhand remark made in class to the students about how Supp classes will help them in the PSLE so they should attend.
I think the main reason these didn't bother me was mostly because I was very hands-on and also somewhat more \"courageous\" having been through a 2009 PSLE; so I really knew what they did [ and didn't do] at the Supp classes.
I do know of some children who don't like missing out on the Supp classes because it makes them different from the rest of the class [ DD was the only one of two students who didn't attend and the other child had a legitimate excuse ] so this route is not for everyone.
I wasn't too concerned about \"missing syllabus\" because I taught DD almost everything before the school did [ so that she had no excuses not to do the full papers for practice at home] and also went through all the work my DD did before it was handed in and after the corrections came back, so I guess Supp classes really would not have been useful for us.
I'm supposed to be at work now [ I work full time] so I'm afraid I can't share more in this post but will look for time this weekend to share more.
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oliveminx:
Thanks so much, oliveminx. Any recommendations of good guide books? Thanks!
Guidebooks are for understanding key concepts and the better ones highlight misconceptions and common questions. Only with a firm grasp of the concepts can you apply it to higher order questions like comparing and inference. Maybe your guidebooks provide information that are not tested in exam because they go beyond the syllabus. You just have to familiarise yourself with which sections are in the syllabuses or get a guidebook that doesn't provide so much extraneous information. -
Chenonceau:
Frankly, I have never really thought about taking my kids out of suppl classes.....perhaps partly cos' when the kids are at home, they tend to want to laze around but in school, it seems that they do pay attention to the Teachers.
I did the same as you did this year. My son doesn't like to be the odd one out either but when asked to evaluate intensity and effectiveness of learning, he said that he learnt more at home with me and faster... and he then appreciated that he could play more.psle2011mum:
Hi Everyone
I have to say that pulling my DD out of the Supp classes did have the effect of the teachers/HOD sending me long emails about how important the Supp classes were and also an offhand remark made in class to the students about how Supp classes will help them in the PSLE so they should attend.
I think the main reason these didn't bother me was mostly because I was very hands-on and also somewhat more \"courageous\" having been through a 2009 PSLE; so I really knew what they did [ and didn't do] at the Supp classes.
I do know of some children who don't like missing out on the Supp classes because it makes them different from the rest of the class [ DD was the only one of two students who didn't attend and the other child had a legitimate excuse ] so this route is not for everyone.
I wasn't too concerned about \"missing syllabus\" because I taught DD almost everything before the school did [ so that she had no excuses not to do the full papers for practice at home] and also went through all the work my DD did before it was handed in and after the corrections came back, so I guess Supp classes really would not have been useful for us.
I'm supposed to be at work now [ I work full time] so I'm afraid I can't share more in this post but will look for time this weekend to share more.
I chose to pull him outta supp classes because I don't wanna make him work on weekends at all. He does no work on Sundays but still made it to top 5% of his cohort this year, receiving a $400 award from MOE. I can't bear to see my son not play at all...
Weighing the situation, I think T still can coach better ..... unless my kids come telling me they are bored....it's status quo.
The other concern is....I dun wanna set the mindset that they can DUN attend lessons. My kids hah, let them skip once they'll little little thing ask again...so better not even start it.
PS : DS school had a boy who was top almost every year....2 years ago, when that boy was in P6, his mom took him out of the supp class against the T's protest. Apparently, the boy hired external tutors. Unfortunately for that boy, he dropped to 24x ..... so sometimes, i also worried, so unless I can hired really good tutors or be one myself, I'll rather fall back on T.....
Chenonceau, DS also receive his long-awaited MOE reward of $400 too In fact, since P1-P4, both kids receive MOE letters every year but dun qualify. Finally DS got his & even DD's new school has this alumni fund and they actually give a token of $100/$150 to the top 5 I think.
How does your son plan to spend it? Mine is aiming for a football PC game (so ex, >$50) .... but since he worked hard to earn it, guess I can't say no. -
janet_lee88:
Hi Janet, will your DS be having the same FT teacher when he goes P6? I guess not right? If so, may be you can talk to his new teacher & find out what they r teaching in their suppl classes & how they r going to revise for PSLE. If you don't feel comfortable then check if teacher is ok if your DS skip suppl classes.Flowermonaster:
I have bought quite a number of assessment books during the Popular book fair & get DS to revise P3 to P5 now so that next year he won't be so stressed with PSLE. Am expecting lots of revision from school so not going to double stress him, we have decided not to send him for tuition except swimming lesson & MOS trainng. Yes, We know we r going against the flow of many parents. Sometimes, I do ask myself if I am doing the right thing since next year is really an important year for him.
Asked son's FT regarding pull-out of suppl class next year and she said some teachers are offended if the kids do not attend the suppl class. Really don't see the reason because parents are the ones who will bear the responsibility.
I've been pushing him quite a bit every day for 2 hours...plan to slow down when school reopens because I don't want to burn him out. It's quite scary to pull him out, but if the school can inform us parents what/how the teachers will be revising for PSLE, I might change my mind. -
BeContented:
Kekekekeke!! My DS said he's gonna put in the bank. He's saving to buy a property so he can reach financial independence early in life. He wanna buy a farm in Tasmania and live there.
Chenonceau, DS also receive his long-awaited MOE reward of $400 too In fact, since P1-P4, both kids receive MOE letters every year but dun qualify. Finally DS got his & even DD's new school has this alumni fund and they actually give a token of $100/$150 to the top 5 I think.
How does your son plan to spend it? Mine is aiming for a football PC game (so ex, >$50) .... but since he worked hard to earn it, guess I can't say no.
We didn't expect the award though. We didn't know there was such an award till the letter came and we googled for what it was. -
I was told by this year's P6 parent that DS school requires the kids to be in early and start classes by 7am at some point during P6. This year's form teacher also told me that Supp classes will be conducted almost everyday! I think my poor kid should be burned out before PSLE!
I still intend to let DS carry on with his Chinese painting, art classes and swimming in the weekends. Hopefully even squeeze in some cycling time with his dad at the bike trails on Sunday mornings.
Actually, I haveto check all DS's school homework after his does it and teach him whatever he doesn't know. The teachers don't really have time to teach them and the answers he copies back as corrections....he doesn't even know how it came about. Sometimes I get him to go ask his teachers again and he comes back and tells me that he still don't understand as the teacher just repeated everything he copied.
So I've given up relying on the school. DS's class had 3 Math teachers and ??? no. of CL teachers this year. His teachers come and go. Many parents are very unhappy too.
In any case, will ask the teachers to pass DS all the supp class work next year. -
fifiyeo:
These too have been my observations. I don't even teach my son. I just give him good resources to learn with and discuss/plan with him how he can manage his own learning... and it is still more effective than school, and less stressful because the focus is on mastery, not competition.I was told by this year's P6 parent that DS school requires the kids to be in early and start classes by 7am at some point during P6. This year's form teacher also told me that Supp classes will be conducted almost everyday! I think my poor kid should be burned out before PSLE!
I still intend to let DS carry on with his Chinese painting, art classes and swimming in the weekends. Hopefully even squeeze in some cycling time with his dad at the bike trails on Sunday mornings.
Actually, I haveto check all DS's school homework after his does it and teach him whatever he doesn't know. The teachers don't really have time to teach them and the answers he copies back as corrections....he doesn't even know how it came about. Sometimes I get him to go ask his teachers again and he comes back and tells me that he still don't understand as the teacher just repeated everything he copied. So I've given up relying on the school. DS's class had 3 Math teachers and ??? no. of CL teachers this year. His teachers come and go. Many parents are very unhappy too.
In any case, will ask the teachers to pass DS all the supp class work next year. -
BeContented:
24th in level or 24th in best class? Either way, I would be happy with those results if it meant that my boy is less stressed. Also, if the Mother did not manage the relationship with T properly, they may have been biased in their marking just to prove a point.
PS : DS school had a boy who was top almost every year....2 years ago, when that boy was in P6, his mom took him out of the supp class against the T's protest. Apparently, the boy hired external tutors. Unfortunately for that boy, he dropped to 24x ..... so sometimes, i also worried, so unless I can hired really good tutors or be one myself, I'll rather fall back on T.....
But then again, like you said, if you can't teach and cannot afford EXCELLENT tutors then might as well leave it all to the school. Probably a safer option, than risk even worse grades. Is it true though... that the 5 top PSLE students this year have stay-at-home moms or moms who work part-time?
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