Q&A - PSLE Math

[atutor2001]

James Ang:

rains:

[quote=\"atutor2001\"]

The way I see it, algebra is a shortcut in itself, which is why it is reserved as a heuristic at secondary level.

I use model and heuristics to teach primary level Maths but students will start learning algebra to solve problems in secondary level Maths. There is almost no limit in the use of algebra which is not just a heuristic. Algebra is an extensive field of study in Maths and algebra is applied in Add Maths and Physics as well as in some social science such as Economics and even Marketing.[/quote]Hi James I think you have quoted wrongly. I didn't say that \"The way I see it, algebra is a shortcut in itself, which is why it is reserved as a heuristic at secondary level.\" :lol:

To me, algebra is a generic approach to problem solving.

[atutor2001]

Muffins:

Hi atutor2001,


Model rulers are still not allowed! From what I've heard, schools displayed it and said NOT to bring it for their paper!

Thanks for the update. My last kid took PSLE quite a years ago. It was banned during their time.

[Mama Leong]

atutor2001:

Muffins:

Hi atutor2001,


Model rulers are still not allowed! From what I've heard, schools displayed it and said NOT to bring it for their paper!

Thanks for the update. My last kid took PSLE quite a years ago. It was banned during their time.

Just very curious, why would a P6 kid still rely on the model ruler?? I thought P3 onwards u are able to do w/o it liao??

:?

[rains]

Mama Leong:

Just very curious, why would a P6 kid still rely on the model ruler?? I thought P3 onwards u are able to do w/o it liao??


:?

Yah lor, I also don't know why P6 still need model ruler. Maybe develop slower at the motor skills? P3 and even P4 still need. I have met P5 and P6s who are not able to draw a straight line using a ruler. They even asked me to draw for them. So yeah, maybe some P6s need it.

[Lynn1967]

rains:

Yah lor, I also don't know why P6 still need model ruler. Maybe develop slower at the motor skills? P3 and even P4 still need. I have met P5 and P6s who are not able to draw a straight line using a ruler. They even asked me to draw for them. So yeah, maybe some P6s need it.

Ya..ya, like some upper pri liao still duno how to tie shoe laces!

[Full.010894Cream]

so how does the ruler help? by drawing nice rectangular blks?


what does this ruller look like? very curious coz I got to know it from this thread!

[atutor2001]

Full.Cream:

so how does the ruler help? by drawing nice rectangular blks?


what does this ruller look like? very curious coz I got to know it from this thread!

Hi Full Cream

It is actually a template with diferent sizes of rectangular \"holes\". Along the length of each rectangular \"holes\" there are markings to help the kid to divide the box into different number of equal parts.

Regards

[Full.010894Cream]

Thx!


think I’ve seen that!

[KSP]

I feel that to help our kids do well in Maths, we have to let them learn how to solve these mind twisting questions. Some of the PSLE Maths questions even we as parents can’t solve them. I feel that schools are not doing enough in this area.


While we can share our workings and solutions here, but when come to explaining to our kids they may not understand or take a while to absorb. I’m not sure this is the right approach. But I still think there should be a proper method in teaching our kids to solve model questions.

Is there anyone here watch the Friday night 10.30pm Ch8 show about the P6 student saying how tough the PSLE Maths paper.

The thing that interest me was when they asked the HCI and NYGH students to solve the "Ken Jim chocolate sweet" question, one of the NYGH said she already know how to answer this type of question when she was P5 and she learnt it at an enrichment class. So I really wonder which enrichment class teaches this. Is it Learning Lab, Dr Peh or etc… can do the job?

[atutor2001]

KSP:

....The thing that interest me was when they asked the HCI and NYGH students to solve the \"Ken Jim chocolate sweet\" question, one of the NYGH said she already know how to answer this type of question when she was P5 and she learnt it at an enrichment class. So I really wonder which enrichment class teaches this. Is it Learning Lab, Dr Peh or etc.... can do the job?

Hi KSP

NYGH is well known for setting very tough math papers in the past though I don't know if it is still the case now. Their students barely pass their own math papers in school but will get A in PSLE. (In 2007, most students were complaining that the PSLE math paper was a killer. However, a few of my friends with their girls in NY told me that their children find the paper was normal - OK)

So the school's own math curriculum will be challenging enough to enable their students to solve question like the sweet and chocolate easily. However, the setback of having such tough papers is that many students are demoralised and developed a dislike for math.

Regards