2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
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Most schools do not encourage the use of correction tape, but MOE also does not specify that correction tape cannot be used during PSLE time. To be exact, between being very untidy and squeezing in writing that cannot be read clearly vs using correction tape and making it tidy, I would gladly prefer my kid to do the latter. Esp. so for boys and an untidy compo will definitely irk the marker. Compo being more subjective for marking will end up costing the kids marks if marker is unable to read clearly.
I discourage my kid to use correction tape extensively in PSLE, but ask him to exercise discretion in using. Didn’t we all use correction fluid during our PSLE / O Level / A Level time? I do not think MOE marker will penalise a kid using correction tape. However, make sure you buy the good quality correction tape that will be "tear off" and asked your kid to make to fill up the blanks clearly.
This is my personal opinion. Though the school told them discourage the use of correction tape, my kid was allowed to bring in correction tape to the PSLE. Some of his classmates did not bring and was surprised to know that school did not stop those who brought along. -
Pen88n:
Thanks Pen88n for highlighting this. I have just confirmed with my dd's teacher that it is indeed not a policy. The schools and teachers are discouraging the use of correction tapes and correction pens. She said that beside forgetting to write the amended answer after using the correction tape or correction pen, the un-dried correction may stick to the other page.Most schools do not encourage the use of correction tape, but MOE also does not specify that correction tape cannot be used during PSLE time. To be exact, between being very untidy and squeezing in writing that cannot be read clearly vs using correction tape and making it tidy, I would gladly prefer my kid to do the latter. Esp. so for boys and an untidy compo will definitely irk the marker. Compo being more subjective for marking will end up costing the kids marks if marker is unable to read clearly.
I discourage my kid to use correction tape extensively in PSLE, but ask him to exercise discretion in using. Didn't we all use correction fluid during our PSLE / O Level / A Level time? I do not think MOE marker will penalise a kid using correction tape. However, make sure you buy the good quality correction tape that will be \"tear off\" and asked your kid to make to fill up the blanks clearly.
This is my personal opinion. Though the school told them discourage the use of correction tape, my kid was allowed to bring in correction tape to the PSLE. Some of his classmates did not bring and was surprised to know that school did not stop those who brought along. -
alng:
I understand where the school is coming from, but the reasons given are not totally accurate either. Nowadays, the kids do not use correction pen, they use correction tape. Those good quality correction tape is dried very quickly and they write amendments on the blank immediately after that - so likelihood of forgetting to write or having undried correction is rare compared with our time whereby we use liquid paper or correction pen. And if schools / MOE feel so strongly against using correction tape, why not ban that from P3 onwards? Why let the kids get used to having this for years, then ban it for national exams? I really dislike their confusing message.
Thanks Pen88n for highlighting this. I have just confirmed with my dd's teacher that it is indeed not a policy. The schools and teachers are discouraging the use of correction tapes and correction pens. She said that beside forgetting to write the amended answer after using the correction tape or correction pen, the un-dried correction may stick to the other page.Pen88n:
Most schools do not encourage the use of correction tape, but MOE also does not specify that correction tape cannot be used during PSLE time. To be exact, between being very untidy and squeezing in writing that cannot be read clearly vs using correction tape and making it tidy, I would gladly prefer my kid to do the latter. Esp. so for boys and an untidy compo will definitely irk the marker. Compo being more subjective for marking will end up costing the kids marks if marker is unable to read clearly.
I discourage my kid to use correction tape extensively in PSLE, but ask him to exercise discretion in using. Didn't we all use correction fluid during our PSLE / O Level / A Level time? I do not think MOE marker will penalise a kid using correction tape. However, make sure you buy the good quality correction tape that will be \"tear off\" and asked your kid to make to fill up the blanks clearly.
This is my personal opinion. Though the school told them discourage the use of correction tape, my kid was allowed to bring in correction tape to the PSLE. Some of his classmates did not bring and was surprised to know that school did not stop those who brought along. -
Pen88n:
Agree. I am also trying to ask DS to use sparingly, dun get use to it.
I understand where the school is coming from, but the reasons given are not totally accurate either. Nowadays, the kids do not use correction pen, they use correction tape. Those good quality correction tape is dried very quickly and they write amendments on the blank immediately after that - so likelihood of forgetting to write or having undried correction is rare compared with our time whereby we use liquid paper or correction pen. And if schools / MOE feel so strongly against using correction tape, why not ban that from P3 onwards? Why let the kids get used to having this for years, then ban it for national exams? I really dislike their confusing message.
Also, now asking him to find a ballpoint that he likes.....they are used to all those smooth gel pen. Btw, is ball point pen a must? -
BeContented:
Oh .. My dd also likes to use those gel pens ... Hmmmm ...
Agree. I am also trying to ask DS to use sparingly, dun get use to it.Pen88n:
I understand where the school is coming from, but the reasons given are not totally accurate either. Nowadays, the kids do not use correction pen, they use correction tape. Those good quality correction tape is dried very quickly and they write amendments on the blank immediately after that - so likelihood of forgetting to write or having undried correction is rare compared with our time whereby we use liquid paper or correction pen. And if schools / MOE feel so strongly against using correction tape, why not ban that from P3 onwards? Why let the kids get used to having this for years, then ban it for national exams? I really dislike their confusing message.
Also, now asking him to find a ballpoint that he likes.....they are used to all those smooth gel pen. Btw, is ball point pen a must? -
fightingmom:
[/quote]My dd also likes to use gel ink pens. Now, i also wonder must I go change her pens too?
Agree. I am also trying to ask DS to use sparingly, dun get use to it.BeContented:
[quote=\"Pen88n\"]
I understand where the school is coming from, but the reasons given are not totally accurate either. Nowadays, the kids do not use correction pen, they use correction tape. Those good quality correction tape is dried very quickly and they write amendments on the blank immediately after that - so likelihood of forgetting to write or having undried correction is rare compared with our time whereby we use liquid paper or correction pen. And if schools / MOE feel so strongly against using correction tape, why not ban that from P3 onwards? Why let the kids get used to having this for years, then ban it for national exams? I really dislike their confusing message.
Also, now asking him to find a ballpoint that he likes.....they are used to all those smooth gel pen. Btw, is ball point pen a must?[/quote
Oh .. My dd also likes to use those gel pens ... Hmmmm ... -
alng:
Initially DH and I thought of bringing my dd for holidays immediately after PSLE. However, my dd insisted to attend school cos she and her classmates are left with \"so little time\" (her exact words) together.8228:
A friend told me that his dc will not be going to school after PSLE. There are still 6 weeks of school after PSLE. What will the P6 students do? Is it ok not to go to school?
My dd school will organise enrichment activities for the students. The students will also organise their graduation party. They may go for short trip too. Think last year cohort went for a trip. Sounds fun!
They have started signing each other's autograph book, encouraging one other to do their best for their PSLE.
Understand from FT that there will be some activities to bring them out during school hours. And yes, they are also planning their graduation party with some suggestions to their P to allow them to have some fun booths (like a fun fiesta) so that their 学弟 和学妹 can have some fun too.
All after their PSLE and the school SA2 exams.
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Why teachers leave for tuition centres
3 Aug 2012
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/why-teachers-leave-tuition-centres
AS A parent and former teacher who is still involved in the education field, I wish to make some observations.
Since I started teaching in 1995, I have seen teachers who love and excel in the profession leave the service. Many do so because they cannot concentrate on what they love, that is, teaching and interacting with children.
Today, many such former teachers are anchors in successful tuition centres, doing superb jobs without the distraction of administrative duties, projects and committees.
Have our mainstream schools become distracted from the main goal of education? In the drive to provide more than an education, have we perhaps failed to deliver on good old education?
Teachers have too many things to do and cannot focus on teaching. That could be why the tuition industry is thriving - because schools fall short.
I can also understand why some teachers request that parents let their children have tuition.
They have to teach according to the level of the majority, so if most students have tuition, the teachers cannot slow down for the few that don't.
Thus, a vicious circle ensues: Good teachers leave to teach at centres while parents lose faith in the schools' ability to deliver good education, and turn to tuition.
There is a way out of this quandary - smaller class size.
A small class size is touted as a carrot in the gifted programme.
Herein lies a serious irony: Children who are innately blessed to achieve and are self-motivated learn well even in big groups, but those who are unable to motivate themselves due to low self-esteem are the ones who will really benefit from small class sizes.
This unfortunate reversal will surely hinder social mobility.
I am not calling for the opposite, but for equal treatment - small class sizes for all.
This investment can improve the quality of teaching, keep good teachers - managing 25 students is vastly different from managing 40 - and produce better adjusted children. It is not the only way, but I would argue that it is a truly important way forward for a developed country.
Recognising teachers who work with difficult students - academically or behaviourally - will also go a long way towards encouraging them. Calculating workload by the number of periods ignores the challenges of teaching difficult classes. A more equitable method can be devised.
Leong Sun Yee (Madam) -
My boy is in a class of 44. The class size become bigger since he was in P5 last year. I strongly agree that mainstream kids will benefit more if the class size could go down to 25 to 30.
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MapleSyrup:
:goodpost:Why teachers leave for tuition centres
3 Aug 2012
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/why-teachers-leave-tuition-centres
AS A parent and former teacher who is still involved in the education field, I wish to make some observations.
Since I started teaching in 1995, I have seen teachers who love and excel in the profession leave the service. Many do so because they cannot concentrate on what they love, that is, teaching and interacting with children.
Today, many such former teachers are anchors in successful tuition centres,
doing superb jobs without the distraction of administrative duties, projects and committees.
Have our mainstream schools become distracted from the main goal of education? In the drive to provide more than an education, have we
perhaps failed to deliver on good old education?
Teachers have too many things to do and cannot focus on teaching. That could be why the tuition industry is thriving - because schools fall short.
I can also understand why some teachers request that parents let their
children have tuition.
They have to teach according to the level of the majority, so if most students have tuition, the teachers cannot slow down for the few that don't.
Thus, a vicious circle ensues: Good teachers leave to teach at centres while parents lose faith in the schools' ability to deliver good education, and turn
to tuition.
There is a way out of this quandary - smaller class size.
A small class size is touted as a carrot in the gifted programme.
Herein lies a serious irony: Children who are innately blessed to achieve and
are self-motivated learn well even in big groups, but those who are unable to motivate themselves due to low self-esteem are the ones who will really
benefit from small class sizes.
This unfortunate reversal will surely hinder social mobility.
I am not calling for the opposite, but for equal treatment - small class sizes for all.
This investment can improve the quality of teaching, keep good teachers - managing 25 students is vastly different from managing 40 - and produce
better adjusted children. It is not the only way, but I would argue that it is a truly important way forward for a developed country.
Recognising teachers who work with difficult students - academically or
- will also go a long way towards encouraging them. Calculating workload by the number of periods ignores the challenges of teaching difficult classes.
A more equitable method can be devised.
Leong Sun Yee (Madam)
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