PSLE - New Format for Maths

[simmisai]

What is MOE’s to set tough maths paper? Sieving out A* candidates for future ministers?


I remembered that I was among the last in the class when I was in P4, but because of a good teacher in P5, I began to like studying and especially I love maths, even till now. Within 1 year, I topped the school in maths. To me, maths is fun 'cause it challenges my thinking.

Ok, don’t hao lian anymore, but my point is that this tough exam will kill many children’s interest in maths, and this is serious, we may lose many potential auditors, accountants, mathematicians, statisticians, lecturers, and other professions.

Shouldn’t moe make maths more interesting, if not fun, so that more will love it?

For an adult, who would like a job that is only challenging but not interesting?

So don’t kill maths. Think clearly again, think of consequences, moe.

[Edisonchew]

I have known a friend who obtained a B in PSLE Mathematics. However, he managed to obtain a Bronze award in the SMO(Open section) when he was in secondary four. Any discussion?

[Tharun270]

[quote]This is strictly from memory and the names may be incorrect. I cannot guarantee the info from my DH's memory is absolutely correct but for those who are interested, these are the qns:


1. Mei and Lin were in a bicycle race. Mei was travelling at a constant speed of 20km/hr and they both did not change their speed. When Lin completed half the race, Mei was 3.5km ahead. Mei completed the race at 10.45am

What time did Lin complete the race?

2. Joe bot some chocolates and gave some to Ken. Ken bot some sweets and gave some to Joe.

Joe ate 12 sweets and Ken ate 18 chocolates. The ratio of sweets to chocolates Joe had became 1:7 and the ratio of sweets to chocolates Ken had became 1:4[/quote]
Well. I know the solution for the second.

the answer is 68.

:stupid:

[vlim]

I had let my p4 kid try the choc and sweet qtn. He manage to give the answer which is 68 but he is using 'guess and check' method. Wonder is it ok to use the method or not :?

[HoSayLiao]

[quote]I had let my p4 kid try the choc and sweet qtn. He manage to give the answer which is 68 but he is using 'guess and check' method. Wonder is it ok to use the method or not [/quote]

Of course u can. U can first guess if the answer is 100. If not, u next guess 99, follow by 98 and so on. By the time u reach 68, u will get the answer.

[vlim]

HoSayLiao:

[quote]I had let my p4 kid try the choc and sweet qtn. He manage to give the answer which is 68 but he is using 'guess and check' method. Wonder is it ok to use the method or not

Of course u can. U can first guess if the answer is 100. If not, u next guess 99, follow by 98 and so on. By the time u reach 68, u will get the answer.[/quote]haaaaaaa.. ha u are right.. then my son is dame lucky.. his first check answer given to us is 68.. :lol:

[tamarind]

One day when I was very free, I emailed my solution to MOE :


Assume Ken has s sweets.
Assume Jim has c chocolates.
7(0.5s - 12) = 0.5c
4(0.5s) = 0.5c - 18
2s + 18 = 7(0.5s - 12)
s = 68

The next day I got a reply from SEAB :

All mathematically correct solutions will be awarded marks accordingly.

Why are people still so scared of using Algebra ?

Next time if the maths teacher marked my kids' answers wrong, I will pull out this email and show them.

When in doubt, always ask the relevant authorities.

I have encountered many students who passed their O level maths, but they have very poor understanding of algebra and equations. As a result, they do very badly when learning higher mathematics like Calculus, Laplace Transforms, etc. I wonder if heavy emphasis of the model drawing method, instead of algebra, is to be blamed.

[vlim]

tamarind:

When in doubt, always ask the relevant authorities.


.

oh thanks for the info.. thats enlighten me...

[Augmum]

tamarind:

One day when I was very free, I emailed my solution to MOE :


The next day I got a reply from SEAB :

All mathematically correct solutions will be awarded marks accordingly.

Why are people still so scared of using Algebra ?

Next time if the maths teacher marked my kids' answers wrong, I will pull out this email and show them.

When in doubt, always ask the relevant authorities.

hi tamarind,
oh u had emailed moe, that's great.
as for me, too bad, i have no chance to show the email to the math's teacher as i have only 1 child.......

[tamarind]

Actually both my kids are not in primary school yet I have special interest in this, because I have been teaching higher mathematics to hundreds of students age 17 years and above.


I have been wondering why is it that so many have them have such poor foundations in Algebra and equations. If model drawing is supposed to help weaker students understand algebra better, then it certainly has failed to serve its purpose.

I wonder how many of those educators who decide what is good for primary school students, actually go and look at the results of these students when they are at higher levels ?

Algebra is essential for learning higher mathematics. I believe that it is wiser to start teaching algebra earlier, so that the weaker students can have a longer time to understand algebra better.

Someone wrote that model drawing can be very powerful when properly taught. If Algebra is properly taught, it is even more powerful and useful in the long run.