2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
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EN:
[quote]I will be attending open house with him this year for his schools of choice this year. He has in mind (not in order) ACSI, NUS High and SST. But will also have him attend a few more schools to widen his perspective.
Wah! Something for me to talk to my ds about! How do we know the school will have open house? I'm glancing at DSA thread but heee...just a thought but that is like aiming for the sky.[/quote]You can check the school website, or call the school to ask.
I don't intend to sign dd up for dsa. -
Erm…this is abit off topic but…
Is your P5 dd or ds going for the camp soon? Where r they camping at? My dd is camping in the zoo! Dd is very prone to getting mosquito bites. Even at home, during rainy seasons, she seems to be the only one getting all the bites. Told her it is a must to apply insect repellent no matter how smelly it is. They’re going to be sleeping in tents. Quite interesting actually. First time I heard camping in a zoo! Imagine hearing the noises made by the animals in the middle of the night. -
My DD had a zoo camp last year when she was P4 and it was very engaging for the children but they didn’t sleep in tents but in a hall. Teachers integrated learning of science into the camp as well.
This year, DD just attended an adventure camp in the MOE Upper Changi Adventure Camp. Very meaningful as DD learnt about conquering fear during the rock-climbing, learnt about teamwork as they built raft together. WHen I reflected with her after the camp, she was able to say that she will remember the importance conquering fear of different challenges she will encounter during her daily life - if you can conquer your fear once, you can do it again. That was truly inspirational! -
beanbear:
Thanks for your sharing. The camp your dd attended is really good - not just an ordinary camp but one that teaches your child good attitude towards life. And indeed, it's very inspirational. This year will be my dd's first time camping out. Hope she'll learn the things like your dd learn.My DD had a zoo camp last year when she was P4 and it was very engaging for the children but they didn't sleep in tents but in a hall. Teachers integrated learning of science into the camp as well.
This year, DD just attended an adventure camp in the MOE Upper Changi Adventure Camp. Very meaningful as DD learnt about conquering fear during the rock-climbing, learnt about teamwork as they built raft together. WHen I reflected with her after the camp, she was able to say that she will remember the importance conquering fear of different challenges she will encounter during her daily life - if you can conquer your fear once, you can do it again. That was truly inspirational!
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Just passing by but this topic stood out for me and will definitely be back 'cos my DS1 will be taking PSLE in 2013 too. Thank you all for sharing…
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I see serious work coming in after CNY. First, DS is taught a fraction of mathematics what is supposed to be taught only next year (p6), I checked with the teacher and her reply is "we have to start early because next year will mainly be for revision"! OMG!
For comprehension OE…I see the marked worksheet DS brought back. Definitely different category from last year…stricter marking, longer passage and indirect questions.
加油！孩子们！ -
happyheart:
Yes, by P5, schools set CA/SA/test format close to PSLE style. Infact, I understand some top schools start using PSLE format as early as P4, though content wise is not really P6 yet.I see serious work coming in after CNY. First, DS is taught a fraction of mathematics what is supposed to be taught only next year (p6), I checked with the teacher and her reply is \"we have to start early because next year will mainly be for revision\"! OMG!
For comprehension OE...I see the marked worksheet DS brought back. Definitely different category from last year...stricter marking, longer passage and indirect questions.
加油！孩子们！ -
The CA1 English result came back yesterday. About half of class failed the 1st test of the year (I have not seen the paper so can’t comment much on difficulty level)…but the worst part is not that. DS told me the teacher gave out the paper and called out the failures’ name… ‘x failed, y failed,z failed’!
Why do some teacher want to crash the confidence of 11 years old? It is not good…not good at all! It is probably one of the school ‘strategy’ to set tougher paper, fail the kids so as to ‘push’ them into working harder but seriously, I question the approach and now that manner it is being executed. -
happyheart:
This type of teacher really makes me :mad:The CA1 English result came back yesterday. About half of class failed the 1st test of the year (I have not seen the paper so can't comment much on difficulty level)...but the worst part is not that. DS told me the teacher gave out the paper and called out the failures' name... 'x failed, y failed,z failed'!
Why do some teacher want to crash the confidence of 11 years old? It is not good...not good at all! It is probably one of the school 'strategy' to set tougher paper, fail the kids so as to 'push' them into working harder but seriously, I question the approach and now that manner it is being executed.
Saying such things to 11 year olds have different effects to different kids - the mentally strong type will take it and brush it aside or even resolve to work harder, but those who are more sensitive and shy may find it hurting their egos....such teachers should be sent for re-training of EQ... Are these teachers so stressed that they must go around transferring some of their stress to the poor kids with hurtful and low EQ remarks.
Imagine ourselves as the kids - There is a difference between 'xx, you failed!' in a cynical voice and 'xx, try harder, I believe you can score better' in an encouraging voice.
I also question the approach of setting killer papers. These schools who set such papers do not necessarily perform better in PSLE - perhaps the students there largely have bruised egos :gloomy: It's as though one KPI of the exam setter is 'How many students you manage to fail in this paper you set' :nailbite:
A setter who can come up with a paper of reasonable standard which gives a nice bell curve is more commendable. -
DD’s entire class failed the CA Maths test. She was still feeling "proud" because she had 2nd highest marks in the class at 18 out of 50!! I just saw the paper and even the MCQ was ridiculously difficult. DD only manage to get 2 correct!!
Sigh, don’t understand Singapore schools anymore. It’s really feels like a competition for which school can set the most difficult paper and who can demoralize children more effectively. DD has become so used to failing and thank God she still has her self-esteem intact and able to look for what areas she has done well.
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