Recommendation of changes to reduce Stress for PSLE
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Chenonceau:
Hi Chen,
MY DS had a lotta trouble with Science answering technique too. I bought the book called LiSC from Science Heuristics in Goldhill Square. His grades moved all the way to the top of the class because he liked Science and only needed to polish up his answering technique.
Book is about $38++. Very ex. I am not related to Science Heuristics at all but I am grateful for the book even though I was upset that it was so overpriced for a CRITICAL skill that ALL students need to know at the PSLE... and therefore should be in the textbooks.
We did not have to rote learn. Learning the LiSC helped us with the mental skills of scientific inquiry. Once we got it, we were able to apply to all sorts of NEW situations that DS had never encountered before. Hope this reference will help your DS.
Did you feed this back to MOE (the specific part of including exam answering techniques as part of the curriculum because it is a REQUIREMENT to score?) I looked at the website and it seems that the \"consultants\" were MOE HQ Science curriculum planners and HOD for Science, got best teachers awards, etc. That means they're the creme of the crop emerged from the thousands of teachers, trained by MOE. It just sadden me to no end and made me angry as well, that MOE is not able to keep these experts in the system to train our children, to train the teachers on what they know, and instead, these people are monetizing their skills learn from the \"system\" because MOE doesn't care to include these exam answering skills (figured out by the brilliant teachers from their interation with the children, and their knowledge of the exam systems) into the textbooks, maybe because MOE don't want to be seen as encourging rote learning and don't want to admit that kids need exam answering techniques to score, which has nothing to do with whether they really learned anything in Science (beyond memorising/rote learning). IMO, I don't blame the ex-school teachers at all. They're just filling a market need generated by MOE.
Only the brightest kids/parents can develop these techniques themselves - thus we're relying on experienced tutors because MOE don't want to admit the above. We're asking 11 to 12 yr olds to have uni-researcher's critical thinking skills to break down the questions like that and coming up with a workflow chart to answer the questions (see the company's website - there are some samples form the book mentioned by Chen). That's madness. -
slmkhoo:
Tho my son just completed his PSLE, I am a little puzzled. I kept hearing that the kids need to memorise to score. Trying to understand your definition of memorise. Memorise to what extent? Keywords only or up to the point of how the full sentence is being structured? I dun exactly know the techniques, but my theory to DS is first must remember to include keyword, next do not just state the answer. Write the reason to show marker he knows the concept. Marker is not his teacher, no explanation = dunno = no marks. I'm not sure am I teaching him the right stuff, but that's the best I can do. So for the same type question, DS may phrase slightly differently every time, but I look for his ability to reason & understanding of concept.Chenonceau:
We did not have to rote learn. Learning the LiSC helped us with the mental skills of scientific inquiry. Once we got it, we were able to apply to all sorts of NEW situations that DS had never encountered before. Hope this reference will help your DS.
My daughter did not rote learn for PSLE science either. But then she wasn't in Singapore school and learned her science partly in international school (where the syllabus overlapped) and was coached at home for the rest. We didn't have any particular resource that we can recommend, and I can only put it down to the fact that my husband and I are old enough that we did PSLE long before the current craze for memorisation in science. We did stress the importance of using proper scientific terms (aka key words) in her answers. However, if kids are taught that the way to score is to memorise, then what else are they to do? At 12yo, they are unlikely to be able to decide otherwise. And unfortunately, not only teachers tell them to memorise, their tutors and parents also tell them that. I agree with many here that teachers and textbooks need to take the lead in making this change. -
I suspect some teachers give up teaching the kids to think for themselves and succumb to efficiency mode. Memorising. When i sent my ds to an intensive revision class with a gd ex-teacher, i noticed the difference in the way he grasped what the questions are asking and was able to formulate the answer for himself. This teacher helps kids to interpret qns, and then ensure the answer is complete and using scientific terms. I remembered when he sat for his sa2 exams some of his self formulated answers were quite long 3-4 lines for 2mark qn but the marker commended his answers. The school’s answer key is certainly shorter but ds answer is still considered good. So my take is good teaching still trumps everything else.
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janet_lee88:
Can borrow from public libraryHi Chen,
Thanks for informing us of that very expensive book that you bought to teach YOUR son...a CRITICAL skill which ALL students at P6 should be taught in school.
I truly admire your dedication :salute:
If that book had landed in my hands, I don't think I will be able to work miracles with my son.
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beanbear:
I suspect some teachers give up teaching the kids to think for themselves and succumb to efficiency mode. Memorising. When i sent my ds to an intensive revision class with a gd ex-teacher, i noticed the difference in the way he grasped what the questions are asking and was able to formulate the answer for himself. This teacher helps kids to interpret qns, and then ensure the answer is complete and using scientific terms. I remembered when he sat for his sa2 exams some of his self formulated answers were quite long 3-4 lines for 2mark qn but the marker commended his answers. The school's answer key is certainly shorter but ds answer is still considered good. So my take is good teaching still trumps everything else.
I concur with beanbear's thoughts in red above. Below are my own thoughts.
Mastery of key words is an important skill in scientific study. One of 1st year medical students' earliest exams consist of being able to accurately name (within time limit) every muscle in the fore arm... every single one. Science requires precision and specificity. The terms we use when referring to specific notions, principles cannot be ambiguous. Mastery of key words is an important foundational piece in scientific inquiry... BUT many schools teach key words AS IF these are ALL there is. There are OTHER important scientific inquiry skills to layer upon the \"key word\" skill.
This said, my heart goes out to MMM. It's not her fault she thought it to be rote-learning. When the teacher does not know how to teach, the easiest thing to do is to make kids memorize. It is not the syllabus that is at fault. It is the HOW the child is taught. I too faced MMM's problem when DS was in P4. The school tested these critical skills of scientific inquiry (LiSC) but only started to teach them in April of P6. I also stumbled along but I have an advantage MMM does not have. In the course of my PhD, I received training in Epistemology. Thus, I could recognise the scientific inquiry skills when I saw them in my son's exams. I bought the LiSC book in early Primary 5 and DS was at least top 3 in every Science exam. Another good resource for scientific inquiry is this - http://www.amazon.com/Things-Future-Mathematicians-Scientists-Rarely/dp/0967991544.
Otherwise, do like Becontented, get your child a good tutor who CAN teach these skills.
Once you master the skills of scientific inquiry, you will realise that there is no need for rote learning in the present PSLE science syllabus. All the best to you MMM... all the best. :snuggles: -
i borrowed some dvds from my friend on latin dance and rumba/salsa… once in a while, i play them on the tv and ask my dc to just dance along, nevermind about the steps… just have fun… and i think they really enjoy themselves… once, i secretly video how they dance and later during dinner, i show it to them… they were laughing so hard that they could hardly eat… i think releasing stress can be very simple like this… no matter how bad psle is, that’s over and we parents should look ahead and not back…
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Changed my mind
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Chenonceau:
making kids memorise the answers are jus irresponsible...beanbear:
I suspect some teachers give up teaching the kids to think for themselves and succumb to efficiency mode. Memorising. When i sent my ds to an intensive revision class with a gd ex-teacher, i noticed the difference in the way he grasped what the questions are asking and was able to formulate the answer for himself. This teacher helps kids to interpret qns, and then ensure the answer is complete and using scientific terms. I remembered when he sat for his sa2 exams some of his self formulated answers were quite long 3-4 lines for 2mark qn but the marker commended his answers. The school's answer key is certainly shorter but ds answer is still considered good. So my take is good teaching still trumps everything else.
I concur with beanbear's thoughts in red above. Below are my own thoughts.
Mastery of key words is an important skill in scientific study. One of 1st year medical students' earliest exams consist of being able to accurately name (within time limit) every muscle in the fore arm... every single one. Science requires precision and specificity. The terms we use when referring to specific notions, principles cannot be ambiguous. Mastery of key words is an important foundational piece in scientific inquiry... BUT many schools teach key words AS IF these are ALL there is. There are OTHER important scientific inquiry skills to layer upon the \"key word\" skill.
This said, my heart goes out to MMM. It's not her fault she thought it to be rote-learning. When the teacher does not know how to teach, the easiest thing to do is to make kids memorize. It is not the syllabus that is at fault. It is the HOW the child is taught. I too faced MMM's problem when DS was in P4. The school tested these critical skills of scientific inquiry (LiSC) but only started to teach them in April of P6. I also stumbled along but I have an advantage MMM does not have. In the course of my PhD, I received training in Epistemology. Thus, I could recognise the scientific inquiry skills when I saw them in my son's exams. I bought the LiSC book in early Primary 5 and DS was at least top 3 in every Science exam. Another good resource for scientific inquiry is this - http://www.amazon.com/Things-Future-Mathematicians-Scientists-Rarely/dp/0967991544.
Otherwise, do like Becontented, get your child a good tutor who CAN teach these skills.
Once you master the skills of scientific inquiry, you will realise that there is no need for rote learning in the present PSLE science syllabus. All the best to you MMM... all the best. :snuggles:
u can watch a 100 episodes drama series and understood how the story goes, but u certainly cant remember every single word that the actors say...
ridiculous way of teaching.. -
Chenonceau:
Once you master the skills of scientific inquiry, you will realise that there is no need for rote learning in the present PSLE science syllabus. All the best to you MMM... all the best. :snuggles:
Thanks for the recommendation and well wishes, Chenonceau.
I have ordered the Lisc book that you recommended. Science is the toughest subject for us because both dh and I hated science when we were young.... To coach the kids, I must first overcome my barrier towards science , read up the textbooks, Lisc and see how I can guide him in a effective manner. But having said that... the textbook as some parents had mentioned makes things seem so simple and easy in comparison with the exam papers. :shock: During CA2, I recalled that I had to cross reference between assessment, ultimate science guide and text book and trying to formulate a chapter summary for ds so as to keep him focus on key concept, key words, etc...
Frankly, hearing the feedback from my kids, their science teachers (school + enrichment classes) have recommended them to memorise key words and standard answers. So for my p5 dd who is able to do it, she is able to score in science. But for my p4... this has become very challenging and I actually find it very worrying for him... because if he don't grasp it well, it will only get more difficult from P5... -
Chenonceau:
:?beanbear:
I suspect some teachers give up teaching the kids to think for themselves and succumb to efficiency mode. Memorising. When i sent my ds to an intensive revision class with a gd ex-teacher, i noticed the difference in the way he grasped what the questions are asking and was able to formulate the answer for himself. This teacher helps kids to interpret qns, and then ensure the answer is complete and using scientific terms. I remembered when he sat for his sa2 exams some of his self formulated answers were quite long 3-4 lines for 2mark qn but the marker commended his answers. The school's answer key is certainly shorter but ds answer is still considered good. So my take is good teaching still trumps everything else.
I concur with beanbear's thoughts in red above. Below are my own thoughts.
Mastery of key words is an important skill in scientific study. One of 1st year medical students' earliest exams consist of being able to accurately name (within time limit) every muscle in the fore arm... every single one. Science requires precision and specificity. The terms we use when referring to specific notions, principles cannot be ambiguous. Mastery of key words is an important foundational piece in scientific inquiry... BUT many schools teach key words AS IF these are ALL there is. There are OTHER important scientific inquiry skills to layer upon the \"key word\" skill.
This said, my heart goes out to MMM. It's not her fault she thought it to be rote-learning. When the teacher does not know how to teach, the easiest thing to do is to make kids memorize. It is not the syllabus that is at fault. It is the HOW the child is taught. I too faced MMM's problem when DS was in P4. The school tested these critical skills of scientific inquiry (LiSC) but only started to teach them in April of P6. I also stumbled along but I have an advantage MMM does not have. In the course of my PhD, I received training in Epistemology. Thus, I could recognise the scientific inquiry skills when I saw them in my son's exams. I bought the LiSC book in early Primary 5 and DS was at least top 3 in every Science exam. Another good resource for scientific inquiry is this - http://www.amazon.com/Things-Future-Mathematicians-Scientists-Rarely/dp/0967991544.
Otherwise, do like Becontented, get your child a good tutor who CAN teach these skills.
Once you master the skills of scientific inquiry, you will realise that there is no need for rote learning in the present PSLE science syllabus. All the best to you MMM... all the best. :snuggles:
I believe you are referring to Beanbear instead? She mentioned her ds went to a good ex-teacher who taught well....
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