2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[beanbear]

fightingmom:

beanbear:

Our most intensive study period is the middle two weeks. I let DS relax in the first week. School had two days excursions in the first week - one to a movie and one to the zoo learning about adaptations. Then spent whole last friday at Wild Wild Wet. DS was really happy.


DS now having intensive 3 hour science revision every day + 2 hours English revision everyday, Chinese twice a week. For Maths we set a goal to do 100 problem sums this week revising critical gaps. Next week, same thing. In between his sessions, he plays his computer games or does light reading. Promised DS last week before school reopens, we'll go Wild Wild Wet again and ease up on revision.

Part of me feels very kan cheong but the other part of me reminds me that it's important to have balance. Efforts will backfire when kids do too much cramming. The brain needs to rest & play in order to learn well.

I think it's important our kids still have joy & laughter in between revision. Lots of hugs, jokes and family bonding. This saturday, inspired by the Minute to Win it TV show, we decided to have our own family's Minute to Win it Challenge. Just bought lots of ping pong balls and kids are very excited by the coming Challenge. That's been my plan to keep DS motivation high.

* like * ... No wait ... Should be SUPER like what you have posted

:hugs: Thanks fightingmom. I draw strength & inspiration from our fellow kan cheong parents here and keep my sanity.

Dear fellow mummies, watch out for those panadol. I've had a series of migraines myself from all the stress of family life & work. Now even got high blood pressure. I remembered a time when I was practically eating panadol like daily vitamins. Very bad. The headaches became worse when I stopped taking them. That's when I realize my body was getting addicted to panadol and went cold turkey.

These days, I take it occasionally and when headaches come, I go lie down and have a nap or take long deep breaths.

I got very long marathon. After DS PSLE, it's DD's turn next year!!! After next year's PSLE, I shall give myself a big reward.

[janet88]

Thanks. I will control my panadol intake. But weather is not helping. I wish for a big downpour to cool down the road and humidity.

[Mychildren]

Janet,


Drink some cooling drinks like water chestnut or luo han guo drinks or crysanthemum. You can get some from Hock Hua shop that sells chinese herbs and herbal drink. Sometimes, not enough sleep can cause the body heaty and we can get headache from it too. Get enough sleep is important. If cannot, take short nap to rest.

Take Care & Jia You for you and your son!
:rahrah:

[fightingmom]

Mychildren:

Janet,


Drink some cooling drinks like water chestnut or luo han guo drinks or crysanthemum. You can get some from Hock Hua shop that sells chinese herbs and herbal drink. Sometimes, not enough sleep can cause the body heaty and we can get headache from it too. Get enough sleep is important. If cannot, take short nap to rest.

Take Care & Jia You for you and your son!
:rahrah:

All daddies and mommies please take care of yourselves :please:

Can't afford to fall sick ourselves cos our children need us . Please take care, everyone .

:grphug:

[janet88]

I have insufficient sleep bcos of watching tvb drama on YouTube after kids knock out :evil: how else to relax ? Finances so tight this year, can't go check out GSS....furthermore, i feel guilty sneaking out to shop while son is having tuition.


It's 2 weeks more before school reopens. My mind is not entirely working but not at rest either. Gotta coach my younger one. The weather is hot, even the nights. So just have to drink more fluids.

[tutorsg_punggol]

mn:

I am actually focusing on Math this week followed by the other 3 subjects to be covered in the next2 weeks. But ds still needs to practice English everyday. Not sure if I'm doing the right way. Can share how you guys has planned the revision? Thanks

Hi, I'm quite new so not quite sure what DS or DD stands for. I guess it means son and daughter.

This is what I got my students to do. They have to plan their own timetable, allocating time for school work, tuition, revision and of cos their favorite free time, which includes watching TV and using the computer. I do vet through and help them to make some changes.

You can try it out although it is just 2 weeks left. Get them to allocate around 1.5-2 hrs for each subject (limit to 2/3 subjects per day) If you intend to focus only on 2 subjects, you can extend the time.

This planning will allow them to be more independent and responsible. But of course, it will be good if you can monitor to ensure they follow it. Remember to let them plan for themselves so that when they manage to finish the day's work by following the timetable, they will have their own sense of achievement.

This method does work for my students, though not everyday cos we do not have tuition everyday and it is quite difficult for me to track them. However, I do have a lot of helpful parents to monitor their kids as well.

Do give it a try.

Regards.

[Chenonceau]

mn:

I am actually focusing on Math this week followed by the other 3 subjects to be covered in the next2 weeks. But ds still needs to practice English everyday. Not sure if I'm doing the right way. Can share how you guys has planned the revision? Thanks

I tend to plan like you... focus on a particular subject for 1 whole week... sometimes 2. This allows DS to reinforce learning from the feedback given the day before. Whether it takes 1 or 2 weeks for 1 particular subject depends on how fast he takes to stabilise a target set of skills. His schedule for Week 1 of June hols was

Morning: CL exam and 1 hour Chinese ta4 pei4
Afternoon: 1 Chinese compo, 1 English compo and 1 Science exam

For Week 2...
Morning: Math exam and 1 hour Chinese ta4 pei4
Afternoon: 1 Chinese compo, 1 English compre

[mummy so kiasu]

mn:

Today I really felt that I'm the one getting burnt out. Oh god pas give us the strength and patience for another 3 more months to get going. I just want the PSLE to be over asap. Really feel that it's too draggy maybe we got no holidays this June. Sob sob....nevermind we will enjoy for 3 months.

It is good to give yourself & your child a break during this holiday. Don't have to be a long one. Maybe weekend trip to Malaysia. The well needed short break will able the kids & mum to work better. Kids have stress & fatigue too. DS only does his school work and goes back to his school on the first week of holiday. He still goes to his regular tuition as per normal.

I just asked him to spend some time to revise his Science beside reading novels. I don't want him to burn out before PSLE & goes blank on exam days. My friend's son went blank when he took his Maths paper in 2010. He used to get A for his Maths in school but got D in PSLE. Have to watch out for telling sign. Your child will not be given another chance to retake & that is life.

[janet88]

Son’s tuition sessions as per norm…but this week a little relaxed bcos Math tutor is away on holiday. But she left quite a lot of hw.


CL tutor got him to memorize the kai1 tou2 for compo, 1 compo every week. Also went on intensive for comprehension OE.

For EL, this week is focusing on paper 1.

Hooray, my wish came true. There was a heavy downpour. It’s so much cooler now.

[struggling]

STRESS BUSTERS HERE!!


What works for me is that I tell my DS that he needs to 'earn' his playtime every day. And that play should be a physical outdoor activity - table tennis, swimming, play ball, etc, so that his body gets some fresh air and much needed exercise!

It does seems to get him to focus better when he is back at work.
Relaxing purely by computer, iPad, iPhone games not good la.

As for myself, to keep sane, I do go for quiet or brisk evening walk 1 or 2 or 3 times a week, ( usually after dinner coz that's the only time I can make it), depending on whether I can make it. I used to feel 'guilty' when I do that but now I realize it's much better for everyone - keeps me sane and gets me healthier. Then I come back less cranky and can enjoy spending time with the kids....!

Mothers, it's important not to feel stressed and guilty that we must spend
every waking minute doing something to improve our kids.
They can't take too much 'love' from us!
And just got to cut taking panadol!!

Anyway, I found this stretch tip which helped me -
I must admit I don't do all of them ( just half of them) , but it really helps.

http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/FitnessandExercise/Pages/The-10-Minute-Perfect-Morning-Workout.aspx

Pity it isn't a video, but the pics are good enof nonetheless...