Newton Kindergarten
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Mimama:
Also, does K2 do Han Yu Pin Yin in Newton?
MOE does not encourage kindy to teach hypy. So, no. But newton offers after school hypy enrichment. -
My son is one of the few who has been with NK since N1. This is a good school in terms of character building and imparting right values to a child. He loves the school (especially the school song), the teachers and his friends. However, I am getting a little nervous now if he will be ready for P1 after graduating from NK. The content of his K1 work was indeed basic (too basic actually) and I thought it should be more in depth in K2. Apparently, it is not.
Example of K2 Spelling Words (only 5 words)
1. Scarf
2. Scone
3. Scatter
4. Scooter
5. Scale
Example of his K1 (end of term) Spelling Words from Enrichment
1. antidote
2. anticlockwise
3. binoculars
4. circumscribe
5. convince
6. community
7. extraordinary
8. hypermarket
9. forefinger
10. committee
- All the kids in the class got full marks and according to my boy, only 1 girl failed to get the perfect score.
Kids are so smart these days and to be honest, I do not think my boy will be ready for P1 if he does not attend any enrichment classes. He probably will face difficulties catching up. Other than English, he also attend Chinese & Maths enrichment since beginning of K1. It is really a MUST. Having spoken to the teachers during PMT, I do think there is any kid in his class who does not take enrichment classes. -
Why on earth does a 6 year old need to know how to spell ‘circumscribe’?! Do they understand what it means and how to use it (in an original sentence)? Under what situation will they be called upon to use it in P1?
By all means enrichment classes can teach these to kids for fun or to ‘stretch’ them. But I would rather the school focus on teaching basics very well.
DS1, who went to a different kindy, is doing fine in primary school. His kindy curriculum is comparable to Newton and he didn’t attend enrichment. So I wouldn’t worry too much. -
MummyThreeStreams:
Totally agree with mummythreestreams. P1 is not tough at all, dun worry lo. My #1 attended another kindy, n only had phonics lessons coping v well in pri school, now p3. So is her sis in P1, who also only attended phonics. Many parents here make P1 sounds like sec 1 (joking), dun stress urself unduly.Why on earth does a 6 year old need to know how to spell 'circumscribe'?! Do they understand what it means and how to use it (in an original sentence)? Under what situation will they be called upon to use it in P1?
By all means enrichment classes can teach these to kids for fun or to 'stretch' them. But I would rather the school focus on teaching basics very well.
DS1, who went to a different kindy, is doing fine in primary school. His kindy curriculum is comparable to Newton and he didn't attend enrichment. So I wouldn't worry too much. -
edener:
Sounds like a very stressed mum. Please give him back his childhood by enjoying it instead of remembering it mainly as going for enrichment after kindergarten classes. Childhood happens only once. Once gone always gone. Hope you don't mind but when you stop comparing with others, you will appreciate your boy for who he is. Like what others say, P1 is really not scary. Don't scare yourself.
Kids are so smart these days and to be honest, I do not think my boy will be ready for P1 if he does not attend any enrichment classes. He probably will face difficulties catching up. Other than English, he also attend Chinese & Maths enrichment since beginning of K1. It is really a MUST. Having spoken to the teachers during PMT, I do think there is any kid in his class who does not take enrichment classes.
jiayou ok 
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I forgot to mention that the above enrichment sp words are actually for P1 Prep Class. My boy started enrichment early so at end of his K1, the teacher told me he was ready to start P1 Prep, together with the K2 kids.
To a certain extend, yes to say they are not required to learn and understand some of these words. However, it's really amazing at the rate kids learn and absorb.
I have to spend a couple of hours with him every week going through all the work from school and enrichment classes. Of course, while teaching him how to spell etc, I also need to explain to him the meaning of these words. He may not remember every single word but it's ok. Afterall, he's only 5. After learning the slightly more difficult words, he has no problem now with spelling, reading and simple comprehension.
If on the other hand, purely base on what he has learnt in NK, I do not think he would be able to read this much now. I am not saying that NK is not good (otherwise I would not have put him there), it is teaching according to MOE guideline for pre-school. However, since all kids are like super kids these days, I am just worry that he may be rank 30/30 in P1 next year. It will be good if NK can go more in depth, especially for the K2 graduating classes. In fact, as NK is a 4hr kindy, I actually expect additional 5hr of quality learning each week. This is not happening as yet. -
edener:
Most schools do not reveal ranking of each and every of whole class, probably only for top few. So if this is your fear, please go to a primary school which confirm does not show and/or tell class position/ ranking
However, since all kids are like super kids these days, I am just worry that he may be rank 30/30 in P1 next year. :evil:
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edener, based on your post, i think your child is doing amazingly well!
:salute:
You need not worry about his performance in primary school. DS1 is in P2 and has still not been asked to use the word circumscribe! So I don't think yr son will be 30/30!
While your son and his enrichment classmates sound like fast learners, not all children are like that. I suppose the Kindergarten has to teach at a pace that allows the whole class to learn. Of course this may mean the faster learners may not be stretched to their full potential. But it also means the teachers can make sure the slower learners won't get left (too far) behind. Four hours isn't a lot of time, once you consider time for meals, toiletting, assembly, play, sports etc.
Before DS1 enrolled in P1, I suffered an attack of panic, coz he didn't go for any academic enrichment, and I didn't do any serious academic work with him at home. I have now realized that the hype is a lot worse than reality...I say this to reassure you that it's really not that scary. Go ahead and stretch your child with enrichment, but don't get too stressed about it, yah? :imcool: -
edener:
Hi, can I ask if these words are from NK lessons or you meant to refer to enrichment classes offered by NK?My son is one of the few who has been with NK since N1. This is a good school in terms of character building and imparting right values to a child. He loves the school (especially the school song), the teachers and his friends. However, I am getting a little nervous now if he will be ready for P1 after graduating from NK. The content of his K1 work was indeed basic (too basic actually) and I thought it should be more in depth in K2. Apparently, it is not.
Example of K2 Spelling Words (only 5 words)
1. Scarf
2. Scone
3. Scatter
4. Scooter
5. Scale
Example of his K1 (end of term) Spelling Words from Enrichment
1. antidote
2. anticlockwise
3. binoculars
4. circumscribe
5. convince
6. community
7. extraordinary
8. hypermarket
9. forefinger
10. committee
- All the kids in the class got full marks and according to my boy, only 1 girl failed to get the perfect score.
Kids are so smart these days and to be honest, I do not think my boy will be ready for P1 if he does not attend any enrichment classes. He probably will face difficulties catching up. Other than English, he also attend Chinese & Maths enrichment since beginning of K1. It is really a MUST. Having spoken to the teachers during PMT, I do think there is any kid in his class who does not take enrichment classes. -
Do we have a feel of how many seats are there avail for public registration for pre nursery 2013?
I saw NK entrance has a banner for 2012 kindy registration. Does that mean there were seats left for 2012 or was that an old n forgotten banner?
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