Child Underperforms Because Tested Above Cognitive Level

[keroppi]

try:

I believe that we need to inculcate into our children that they should approach the school teachers to help them.

This is what I tell my kids too. But the fact remains: there are 40 kids per class and the teacher has 30-40 mins to deliver the lesson. Questions can only be asked after lessons (if the teacher isn't rushing off to another class) or during recess or after school. So, in the end, we have to prepared to teach the kids ourselves and for those who can't - they probably will turn to enrichment centres. Can't fault them.

[try]

keroppi:

try:

I believe that we need to inculcate into our children that they should approach the school teachers to help them.

This is what I tell my kids too. But the fact remains: there are 40 kids per class and the teacher has 30-40 mins to deliver the lesson. Questions can only be asked after lessons (if the teacher isn't rushing off to another class) or during recess or after school. So, in the end, we have to prepared to teach the kids ourselves and for those who can't - they probably will turn to enrichment centres. Can't fault them.

Especially with so many students not asking their teachers now, its do-able after school but fix the appointment with the teacher earlier. If the student takes school-bus, then give him/her pocket money for lunch and take the later bus meant for students with CCAs.

But when more students start doing it, then I think the teachers might need to reflect that to the school mgt on some other means and even if they don't, we as parents can highlight the problem of our children not being able to seek help with teachers because of the teachers' schedule.

But in the meantime(which I believe should be for another few more years coz children now rather depend on enrichmt/tuition than teachers), those children who can and want to ask teachers, quickly do so as teachers do not have many children asking them now

[Chenonceau]

We tried asking 2 Teachers. Either, they need 3 weeks to respond to one email OR, they say wait and never revert. But maybe we are just unlucky this year and last year. His P4 teacher was happy to answer every question.

[keroppi]

try:

Especially with so many students not asking their teachers now, its do-able after school but fix the appointment with the teacher earlier. If the student takes school-bus, then give him/her pocket money for lunch and take the later bus meant for students with CCAs.

That's not true. Kids are more outspoken now and are not afraid to ask questions (at least for mine). They will be told not to interrupt the lesson and wait till after class, in which the teacher will be scurrying off. The kids can persist, as in going after school to look for the teacher but they aren't always successful. The teachers have after school activities like CCAs. Yes, appointments can be made but you can't have them not understanding a certain topic for too long as that could be an obstacle for their next few lessons if not clarified. Aka snowball effect.

[try]

Chenonceau:

We tried asking 2 Teachers. Either, they need 3 weeks to respond to one email OR, they say wait and never revert. But maybe we are just unlucky this year and last year. His P4 teacher was happy to answer every question.

For parents with children who had problems getting their teachers to respond to emails, maybe try asking the child to ask the teacher personally and fix an appointment there and then? Think teachers should be more than happy to see motivated children. And if the teacher is not :slapshead: , then I would request for a face-to-face meeting with the teacher and ask her/him what the problem is coz if my child needs clarification, its because he/she is not clear enough. Of course, this has to be done sensitively else child will be arrowed....

Chenonceau, in your case, I think P5/P6 teachers \"may\" be overwhelmed due to supplementary lessons. This is definitely a management issue to be brought up to the principal, who must have overstretched his/her teachers. And if its not his/her mgt issue, then this principal should bring it up to MOE's attention that since all schools are conducting supplementary lessons to finish the syllabus much earlier, then MOE should cut down on the syllabus so that schools do not have to conduct supplementary lessons.

These supplementary lessons are not beneficial as children are tired after a long day in school. Afterschool activities should be focused on non-academic stuff where students can unwind. I am sure teachers must be tired too. I would rather have teachers full of energy and deliver a good lesson than a tired teacher who is just going through the motion, wasting the time of 40 students.

[janet88]

try:

These supplementary lessons are not beneficial as children are tired after a long day in school. Afterschool activities should be focused on non-academic stuff where students can unwind. I am sure teachers must be tired too. I would rather have teachers full of energy and deliver a good lesson than a tired teacher who is just going through the motion, wasting the time of 40 students.

The poor child is tired after a full day of lessons in school. Teachers are tired, the kids are also tired. How can a supplementary lesson be of help ?

[Chenonceau]

http://petunialee.blogspot.com/2012/02/teaching-resilience-by-failing-kids.html

[beanbear]

janet_lee88:

try:

The poor child is tired after a full day of lessons in school. Teachers are tired, the kids are also tired. How can a supplementary lesson be of help ?

That's why it really takes courage for a Parent to make a stand and take their child out of supplementary. Teachers scare the children by telling them they are continuing to teach new stuff so our children are afraid to miss and then parents also become scared to miss supplementary class. I finally bite the bullet and convinced myself, my son and the school teacher that supplementary classes DO NOT HELP.

I told my son - you don't have to worry about missing the lessons. Resting is more important. After supplementary classes, there's still a pile of homework and he hasn't even had time to revise what was previously covered. There's only so much time in a day.

I regret it took me so long to realize this. He went for supplementary class from P3 - P5 - 3 times a week. Now the mother is more effective teaching him all 4 subjects at home. If I was a full time stay home mum I truly believe now I could do a better job teaching than what the teachers are dishing out.

Like Chen, I'm also convinced it's worth it to have DS take leave from school. Since it's 2 weeks from CA1. It's really about revision. Schools are not practising what they preach. They tell you revision is important but they are still cramming in new stuff every day. Papers are not marked fast enough - you get it 1 week later if you're lucky and then you don't get feedback on your paper - just lots of red cancellations, arrows. Rubbish!!

I have found immediate feedback is critical. Specific feedback is critical. Teachers want to keep giving test papers that's fine - but give digestable feedback!

[Chenonceau]

beanbear:

That's why it really takes courage for a Parent to make a stand and take their child out of supplementary. Teachers scare the children by telling them they are continuing to teach new stuff so our children are afraid to miss and then parents also become scared to miss supplementary class. I finally bite the bullet and convinced myself, my son and the school teacher that supplementary classes DO NOT HELP.

Yes... DS goes very selectively for supplementary. I will always ask what will be covered. If the Teacher says \"the syllabus\" then he doesn't go because it is just teaching from textbook, which is like chick lit.

beanbear:

Papers are not marked fast enough - you get it 1 week later if you're lucky and then you don't get feedback on your paper - just lots of red cancellations, arrows. Rubbish!!

I have found immediate feedback is critical. Specific feedback is critical. Teachers want to keep giving test papers that's fine - but give digestable feedback!

The Teachers have too many students, and not enough teaching support (materials) and time, I guess. But I agree. Marking is not specific enough. I will upload a picture of my marking, against one of the Teacher's marking, and this will be so clear.

[pixiedust]

beanbear:

..In the midst of this crazy system we are in, our BELIEF in our children's self-worth, their identity is worth far more than any results on a slip of paper can do. The child must also believe they were worth more than what a slip of paper tells them. These days, I remind myself to keep telling my DS1 who is sitting for his PSLE this year, that yes you have to work hard, yes it's tough, yes you have your goals. AND if in the end, when the results do not commensurate with the effort, YOU ARE OK. Your identity is worth far more than whatever number is on that paper.

I printed this out and pasted on my desk. :lovesite: :goodpost: