2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
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jedamum:
To me 50min is acceptable. There are many that I know take an hour and half to travel to school daily. That is a bit too much.
We did something similar earlier this year. I started with asking my p4 boy what is his target. He said 240. After going thru a List of schs with him, we concluded that to have at least 4 choices, he needs to comfortably hit 245 n above. Anything below 242, he'll go to a band 3 sch a stone's throw away from home cos it make sense due to distance. Anything below that sch's cop, I will choose for him most probably emphasise on distance as the few band 5 to 7 schs around our area, I roughly know which r the less desired ones.beanbear:
I'm hesitant to direct DS towards this \"one dream school\" goal-setting approach. There are many variables beyond one's control when it comes to getting into your dream school unless you can achieve 250+ and beyond, I personally think it may be disheartening for my child to anchor his hopes too early. I'm taking the approach of what choices you can make depending on the specific outcomes that you achieve.
I've had a heart-to-heart talk with DS and shared with him the different kinds of secondary schools that are available; we looked through last year's directory together, talked about what the school seems to be good for. I also shared with him how the choice of secondary schools can affect his future based on the banding of the schools. On the practical side, I also shared about transportation issues; how important proximity to MRT and home can affect his time since Secondary school has long hours.
We worked out a number of choices for different scenarios eg if he gets 220 and below, what schools he would choose, if he gets 221 to 231, another set of options and then 231 - 241, etc. DS also decided that even if he scored 240 and above and his choices would certainly be widened, he said he wanted to go to a good neighbourhood school, no need well-known schools. He believes he'll cope better there.
Think I asked b4 but here I go again-is 50min transport time including waiting n walking, reasonable for sec sch commuting? What is your tolerance limit? -
Chenonceau:
IF she doesn't make it into the school of choice, what will that mean for her FUTURE levels of motivation in secondary school?
Hmm..i'm not sure about others...for my DD, maybe she is more the goal oriented type. I see the benefits of bringing her to the open house so that she can see what is it like to be part of the school. She even asked the students there how they achieve to get into the school, what they had done during their PSLE time... so in a sense, i find it is a motivating factor for her that if they can do it, so can she.fightingmom:
[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]My son has decided what school he wants...but need reminders over and over again to work hard. Told him there is no shortcut to success, and shortcuts will not bring him the points to reach target.
So far, we only went to one open house. No time for last week's at SJI. I find attending open house events quite stressful though...supposing like the school but ultimately it's the result at the end of the day. Don't know if others share my feeling. So what if he likes the school. Work hard and do well first. Once get results, can decide which sec school. That is more practical.
You've put her on a high tightrope. Have you constructed a safety net of sorts to cushion a possible fall? If not yet... maybe have think. You're not doing anything wrong but best to think this through to the end?[/quote]Yes, i understand where you are coming from. Guess i should have a good talk to DD again -
Peony:
Talking about \"dream schools\"... I want to ask, when did yout child start havig one? Has it been the same school?
Am asking because my DD seems to change her mind every other month! And no, it's not because she wants to go where her friends are going.
But am more amused than anything else since we're going to make the final choice after PSLE results anyway.
DS started to have his dream school since last year. It has not changed since then. Where his friends are going, even his best friend, doesn't seem to affect his choice. -
Peony:
My dd starts to talk about her dream school in P4. We live near her dream school and drive by quite often and she is mesmerised by the clock tower, not knowing how it tough it is to get into that school. But now she knows. It has always been this school that she wants. But this mummy here is trying to tell her about other alternatives so that if things did not turn out well, she's ok. :xedfingers:Talking about \"dream schools\"... I want to ask, when did yout child start havig one? Has it been the same school?
Am asking because my DD seems to change her mind every other month! And no, it's not because she wants to go where her friends are going.
But am more amused than anything else since we're going to make the final choice after PSLE results anyway. -
fightingmom:
Jiayou fightingmom !!! :rahrah:
Hi elkniwt,
I am like you - \"I am first time PSLE parent, mine is a dd. Only child.\" :hi5:
And yes, we all need to be our pillar of support and strength to our DD and DS ! :rahrah:
Fighting ! :stompfeet: :nunchuk: -
beanbear:
We did something similar to beanbear too, working out the choices if she gets 20x, 21x, 22x ... etc... Our choices are those within 45mins bus journey. Also try to drum into her that some neighbourhood schools are quite good. On one hand, happy that dd is self-motivated and knows what she wants, on the other hand we are trying to cushion her just in case.
We worked out a number of choices for different scenarios eg if he gets 220 and below, what schools he would choose, if he gets 221 to 231, another set of options and then 231 - 241, etc. DS also decided that even if he scored 240 and above and his choices would certainly be widened, he said he wanted to go to a good neighbourhood school, no need well-known schools. He believes he'll cope better there. -
janet_lee88:
100% true. My DD also does the same. She will also say that she checked for three or four times and found one or two mistakes (not sure true or she just says to satisfy mummy). But when the paper comes home, :stupid: She will give a sorry face. :slapshead:
When my son was in P3-4, the teachers always remind them to check their work. The meaning of check is re-do. But these kids will just flip the pages and play with their pens, rulers etc etc.
My son is talkative but he better knows what to say and what not to. Don't be in a hurry to finish the exam...always reminding him. -
elkniwt:
Peony:
Talking about \"dream schools\"... I want to ask, when did yout child start havig one? Has it been the same school?
We live near her dream school and drive by quite often and she is mesmerised by the clock tower, not knowing how it tough it is to get into that school. But now she knows. It has always been this school that she wants. But this mummy here is trying to tell her about other alternatives so that if things did not turn out well, she's ok. :xedfingers:
Same here. Whenever we drive pass That school, my DD and her young brothers will cheer \"(Her Name)'s future school!\". I have been assuring her, even if she doesn't get into That school, there are still many other good schools!
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HAPPYH:
Now CANNOT say 'check'. SAY 'RE-DO'.
100% true. My DD also does the same. She will also say that she checked for three or four times and found one or two mistakes (not sure true or she just says to satisfy mummy). But when the paper comes home, :stupid: She will give a sorry face. :slapshead:janet_lee88:
When my son was in P3-4, the teachers always remind them to check their work. The meaning of check is re-do. But these kids will just flip the pages and play with their pens, rulers etc etc.
My son is talkative but he better knows what to say and what not to. Don't be in a hurry to finish the exam...always reminding him.
I always tell the both of them, do not rush through the paper. What for ? Work so hard for this exam and don't get it done properly is so stupid. :mad:
Teachers always tell me during parent-teacher meetings that kids play with stationery instead :faint: when paper is marked and returned, they have a sorry look. -
janet_lee88:
Now CANNOT say 'check'. SAY 'RE-DO'.
100% true. My DD also does the same. She will also say that she checked for three or four times and found one or two mistakes (not sure true or she just says to satisfy mummy). But when the paper comes home, :stupid: She will give a sorry face. :slapshead:HAPPYH:
[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]
When my son was in P3-4, the teachers always remind them to check their work. The meaning of check is re-do. But these kids will just flip the pages and play with their pens, rulers etc etc.
My son is talkative but he better knows what to say and what not to. Don't be in a hurry to finish the exam...always reminding him.
I always tell the both of them, do not rush through the paper. What for ? Work so hard for this exam and don't get it done properly is so stupid. :mad:
Teachers always tell me during parent-teacher meetings that kids play with stationery instead :faint: when paper is marked and returned, they have a sorry look.[/quote]This is a common problem. Even during tuition lessons, my students play with their stationery.
How can we help?
1. Give them the most basic and simple stationery. Nothing fancy. Nothing extra. When doing work, just take out what is necessary and keep the pencil case aside.
2. Figure out ways for them to 'take a 1 second break' and quickly refocus. It's normal for children to lose their focus, but we need to work with them on how they can quickly focus again.
Even my elder son plays with his stationery. As a mother, I tend to want to buy the nice and fanciful stationery for him, thinking that if I were a kid, that's what I would want too.
Now, I realised - BIG MISTAKE. So I turned into 'mean mummy'. Yes, I still buy the fanciful stationery, but once I spot him playing with them, I confiscate all and give him basic items. Once, twice, thrice - he's got the message. *phew*
And yes, please don't use the word 'CHECK' anymore. It doesn't help. Tell them to 'RE-DO' the questions, especially those which they were not too confident of.
And encourage them to do 'space planning'. Write neatly starting from the top left of the space given. Draw a line on the right for working. This allows them some space left to re-do the question. Many of them told me, \"It's not that I don't want to redo the question, I have no space to redo!\" Then we stare at the paper, the answers were scribbled all over the place, random spaces/gaps in between. It's true - there's no space left!
Hope this helps!
Mrs Wong
[email protected]
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