Learning Point - Discussion

[phtthp]

Imami:

I am sourcing for an English enrichment class for my preschooler and have shortlisted LP thomson as one of those centres in which I think would be a good bet. I understand that LP has something for K1 (i.e. Read for success or RFS) and K2 (P1 head start or P1HS).

regarding kindergarten K2 (P1 HeadStart or P1HS) -
there are two intake per year - either in January or July.

It is better to take the January intake - because child need to attend only once a week.
because if join in July, become twice a week enrichment - can be v siong / tiring!
reason: if start in July - only got half a year left! The first half of the year already gone ! Limited time. Kids need to complete the entire K2 syllabus, by mid November. Hence, have to attend twice a week.

whether join in January or July - P1 HeadStart cover 4 basic standard module.
LP teach K2 kids right from scratch, from ground zero base background.
They start with grammar, then slowly move onto writing simple compo.
reason: if don't teach grammar, how to expect kids write a proper essay ?
Then, the essay will be full of grammatical, or punctuation errors.

module 1 and 2 - no homework. It is relaxed!
from module 3 onwards until end of module 4 - start to have homework coming in. Parents can supervise child at home, if kid not sure how to do.

towards end of mod 2 or beginning mod 3 - kids will be introduced to writing simple compo. The entire class of maximum 8 kids will discuss the topic first; teacher go round the class get every student to chip in, contribute comments. ie. kids to brainstorm ideas. After class discussion, K2 kids start to write. If child doesn't know how to spell a particular word, LP teacher will write on the whiteboard that particular spelling word for the child. But by K2, children are supposed to know how to spell ... at least those basic, common sight words frequently encountered.

in module 3 -
kids are taught how to use a dictionary. Teachers encourage them whenever they come across a new vocab word they don't understand its meaning, look up the word in the dictionary ! When kids read storybooks on their own and come across new words they not sure or don't understand - they'll recall what their teachers had taught in class, \"Apply dictionary skill whenever you come across new words ! Check up the dictionary what this new word means.\" This way, kids begin to learn independence. In module 3, children begin to gain momentum in writing short paragraphs compo.

every week, children will borrow storybooks from class, bring home read. They're encouraged to read widely from young, so as to gain wider, broader exposure. Parents to supervise at home - ensure that your child complete reading the storybook brought back home, before return it next lesson to borrow another fresh new book. In the beginning when your child bring home first time, the storybook is thin. But as time goes by, the storybook selected gets thicker in content - with more pages to read; more lines per page.

by end of module 4 -
i)
child supposed to have received basic, proper training in writing.
Teachers pick up the better essays written in class by the kids, & compile them into a compo book to sell.

if you wish to read some of the creative essays written by the K2 kids from various kindergarten to assess the quality / standard, you may purchase a copy of the \"Essays written by LP children - from K2 to P6\", from the admin counter, at either Simei or Thomson branch. It costs $7.50 per essay book. There are a few volume; you can choose to buy that particular volume you like (while stock last).

ii)
LP K2 teachers teach at both branches - they take turn to teach, sometimes at Simei, sometimes at Thomosn.

at end of module 4 - the teachers will assess all K2 kids (from both branches, from both January & July intake) who had gone through the entire P1 HeadStart programme, covering the 4 module. The teachers will identify or sieve out - now, who are those K2 kids so far here with us, that have demo a strong mastery command of the English language ?

If LP teacher(s) find that your child is exceptional (very good), teacher(s) will recomend your child - to attend the Primary 1 intensive \"Gifted in English\" (GIE) programme. Normally not many kids qualify for this (from both branches), unless the child is v bright. Thus, no. of classes opened here .... v few ! The curriculum in this programme is especially tailored for exceptional bright kids who not only read well, but also able to understand the content what they had just read about. The curriculum has been designed in such a way to make the kids ... think deeper. There have been cases whereby kids can read well, but unable to comprehend what they had just read in the passage... they won't be selected. So it is not up to parents to say \"Hey, I'm keen for my child to go for this, therefore i'll enrol my kid into here\" No! It is up to the teacher's recommendation / discretion - the teacher who had taught your K2 child 4 module, in \"P1 HeadStart\" programme. This GIE programme is offered only at Thomson Plaza, not at Simei.

but if your child is average, then teacher won't recommend.
When come P1 - the child will just attend the normal, ordinary P1 \" Progress in English \" (PIE) programme.
Majority of our kids join under this category. The school open many classes here, if you check their timetable.

for outsiders who did not go through in-house \"P1 HeadStart\" K2 programme, they all need to sit for a common assessment. The outcome of this assessment - will determine where to place this new child. ie. to join GIE or PIE programme ? This GIE / PIE programme - run from P1 to P6.

[Ran1977]

Hi dear, what is the assessment for LP Headstart for P1 like?

How is the child assessed?
Is this simple or complicated considering that these kids are just in K1.

[Imami]

Ran1977:

Hi dear thanks for the sharing.

What waz the name of the reader that your child had to read?
Thanks

I didn't take note of the title, don't see a néed to.... Should I have taken note of the title? Hmm... :scratchhead:

[aaaaaa]

I have tried couples of English enrichment centres like creative horizons, writers place, TAS and Learning Point. Personally, I find LP the best and can see her improvements in grades on English for both papers. Hence, I am happy that she is in LP and glad that I do not have to switch centres anymore! My girl used to write well only on those themes that she has written before but after s

[aaaaaa]

I have tried couples of English enrichment centres like creative horizons, writers place, TAS and Learning Point. Personally, I find LP the best and can see her improvements in grades on English for both papers. Hence, I am happy that she is in LP and glad that I do not have to switch centres anymore! My girl used to write well only on those themes that she has written before but after spending sometimes with LP and cos of the fact that she loves reading, her CW has improved tremendously. Now she enjoys writing and using good phrases and vocab in her writing and I like her style of writing as it is no longer so boring and she has her style of writing rather than to copy exactly what was taught. I attribute her improvement to LP and her interest in reading.


Of course, this may be subjective to different people and children and I am only giving some comments as a satisfied parent.

[Ymy]

Hi!aaaaaa,


Thanks for your feedback . May I know which level is your child? And it takes about how long for you to see the improvement?

[phtthp]

Learning Point is expanding !


just recently opened a new branch at Bukit Timah Plaza, last month October 2012.
latest newsletter released :-

http://www.learningpoint.com.sg/PRISM/prismSep2012.pdf

[aaaaaa]

Ymy:

Hi!aaaaaa,


Thanks for your feedback . May I know which level is your child? And it takes about how long for you to see the improvement?

Hi Ymy,

She is in P3 now. I recalled when I was doing her revision for CW for SA1, as she can't write well at that time hence I had no choice but to make her memories the story for her paper tmlo. We have spent so much time to memorise the theme and hopefully she cld spot on one that is similar to what she has learnt. I was quite frustrated as I knew it wasn't the way to teach/do her CW in long term. Hence, from recommendation by a friend, I got to know about LP and hence I withdrew her from Creative horizons and enrolled her in LP. Recently, before the SA2, I found that she could write so much better than before, some of her works was actually selected to show to her class which had never been before. In SA2, I di d not even have to go thru CW with her, or I did was to ask her to do some readings as now I feel more confident in her writing and trust that she can write well. And yes, she did very well for her English papers.

Hence I guess she has been with LP for only about 6 mths to see the improvements. I am a result oriented person, if I do not see improvement in her grades for 6mths, I will switch as I do not want to waste my time and money!

Hope it will work for u guys too.

[Ymy]

Hi! aaaaaa,


Thanks for sharing. My DD will be joining LP Next year. (P3) Hope I can see improvement in her comprehension. She is rather weak in this area.

[aaaaaa]

Ymy:

Hi! aaaaaa,


Thanks for sharing. My DD will be joining LP Next year. (P3) Hope I can see improvement in her comprehension. She is rather weak in this area.

I guess as parents sometimes we just need to \"trial and error\" hopefully to get the best of the best! Well, a lot of Parents from KS forum sing praises for TAS but it didn't work for me and hence, what benefits me but not benefits all. Hopefully we can hear from genuine parents giving their honest feedback for sharing. Hope this helps!