PSLE - New Format for Maths

[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.

[Joy]

Hi Tam


I like the answer that MOE replied.

Unfortunately in DD school at p4 level, they will deduct presentation marks or preposition not written correctly even the whole math is mathematically corret.

So I just have to tell DD , its ok cos that is not psle.So through this year, she just have to go in line with the school marking system.Just wonder, is the school doing marking in eng or math.Anything, the subject teacher(not specialised in math) see the working is different from answer key, she will be fault.

I remember clearly, just this mock exam, she scored 35/50 for paper two, and five marks were deducted just cos the teacher cannot understand her model when the reason is that it looks different from her answer key.

Anyway, this is only p4.


Rgds

[Rason]

Joy:

I remember clearly, just this mock exam, she scored 35/50 for paper two, and five marks were deducted just cos the teacher cannot understand her model when the reason is that it looks different from her answer key.

There's a moral to every story so here's an extension to our side discussion -

Conformity holds down constructivist (heuristic) learning and has about rule (our) society to counter-productivity. Every divergence from the norm and challenge of the status quo can be a learning point and opportunity for greater heights - it all depends on how the case responders engage in intellectual discussion for the best of (learning) outcomes.

Joy:

I like the answer that MOE replied.

Naturally, the authorities will try to quell complaints by saying that \"things are fair\", \"things are in proper order\" etc, but I think it is our civic responsibility to drive home the demand for public checks to the system (government). More open and targeted protocols have to be in place to bridge the gap between government and populace for policy review and recourse - that's my ultimate recommendation.


p/s Parallel to above post subject: it's our maths-marking today that will affect our money-making tomorrow.

[tamarind]

[quote]
Hi Tam

I like the answer that MOE replied.

Unfortunately in DD school at p4 level, they will deduct presentation marks or preposition not written correctly even the whole math is mathematically corret.

So I just have to tell DD , its ok cos that is not psle.So through this year, she just have to go in line with the school marking system.Just wonder, is the school doing marking in eng or math.Anything, the subject teacher(not specialised in math) see the working is different from answer key, she will be fault.

I remember clearly, just this mock exam, she scored 35/50 for paper two, and five marks were deducted just cos the teacher cannot understand her model when the reason is that it looks different from her answer key.

Anyway, this is only p4. [/quote]Hi Joy,
The problem is that not all teachers are good. There are teachers who do not understand MOE's guidelines. I heard that there are many relief teachers nowadays, they are probably going to make things worst.

What worries me is not the loss of marks, but the fact that kids end up losing their creativity and their abilities to think out the box, because they must follow the teacher's marking scheme.