All About Preparing For Secondary One

[janet88]

Now waiting for posting result, then can look at assessment book for history....I saw it at Popular Clementi. Gosh, I do not know what to expect next year :nailbite: but I told son it is up to him to take responsibility...I cannot be spoon feeding him.


Another month before new school year...brand new change...Sec 1 !!!

[Coolkidsrock2]

janet_lee88:

MeKiasuLeh:

[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]Hi Parents of Sec school students,

My son is going to Sec 1 next year...would you like to share what to expect when kids go to secondary school? For eg how to manage homework after longer school days, how to study humanities subjects like history and geography?

Appreciate your advice. Thank you.

Try letting your DS watch programmes on cable TV from channels such as 'Discovery Channel(422)\", \"National Geographic(411)\", \"History Channel(401)\", \"Nature Channel(424) and even \"TL Channel(427)\" if he has not already done so.

They might just trigger or open your DS eyes to the volume of interesting articles and materials out there. I personally find these documentary channels extremely valuable not only in providing knowledge but also allow one to pick up pointers on how to write factually simply by listening very carefully to how experts present their views and narrate stories. Many a times a child knows his/her subject matters well but is not good at articulating their thoughts. So learning how to write factually and make strong references will put a child in good state right up to tertiary level and beyond.

Thanks but we do not have cable tv at home
But will try to find such related programs for him to learn...thank you.[/quote]The libraries have good magazines eg National Geographic, Time, Newsweeks, Knowledge etc for loan. I subscribe to Current Events and it comes with a comprehension worksheet. Some of the magazines are complimentary if read online.

There are documentaries in free to air channels. I review the daily TV programmes on my way to work and mark out the relevant ones. I also watch foreign channels (China, India, Russia, Europe) to get a grassroot understanding of the country.

[BeContented]

jtoh:

BeContented:

[quote=\"Augmum\"][


Current subject of history is so much different from our time ......

History consists of SBQ ( source based questions) and SEQ ( structured essay questions),
Which requires skills of analysing and critical thinking....
such as making inferences from the sources given, evaluation of reliability and usefulness
and comparing of sources....etc...

While SEQ tests on the ability to formulate valid and strong arguments.....
Pupils must able to think and analyse on the spot and yes,
they need to write real fast within the short period of time.....

Hence, is not so much of memorising.....
Geog will need more memorising.....

Orr oh. First time I start to feel worried.
How come I have no memory of doing all these during my time?? :faint:

During our time, you just needed to have a good memory and good writing skills to do well. Now it's all SBQ and SEQ. But I have to say I'm impressed with the new style of learning and testing History.[/quote]Thanks for the info. Sounds exciting but yet scary.
Guess I just gotta wait & see how it goes. Dunno what to expect since I'm also clueless. One step at a time.
Dun care, more important/urgent to finish planning my holiday itinerary for now

[kwcllf]

Augmum:

SAHM_TAN:

[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]
History is ok for me...I think I can still coach him but this subject all boils down to reading. As for Geography & Science, I taiji to hubby.

History is not all abt reading and memorising, will need analysis skills too.

Current subject of history is so much different from our time ......

History consists of SBQ ( source based questions) and SEQ ( structured essay questions),
Which requires skills of analysing and critical thinking....
such as making inferences from the sources given, evaluation of reliability and usefulness
and comparing of sources....etc...

While SEQ tests on the ability to formulate valid and strong arguments.....
Pupils must able to think and analyse on the spot and yes,
they need to write real fast within the short period of time.....

Hence, is not so much of memorising.....
Geog will need more memorising.....[/quote]May I know what topics do they study in Sec 1 History. Thinking of getting some books from library to start him reading first.

[SAHM_TAN]

For O level track will be ancient history on countries like India, China and SEA. But not sure if syllabus will remain as such for next yr sec 1.


For IP track, the schools can customise, will need to check with the school.

[mummy so kiasu]

Do they need to sit for exams in term 1? One of my friends told me that it is very common for the kids to fail 1 or 2 subjects out of the 8 subjects. Not easy for average kids to handle so many subjects. Any comment?


Btw, Anyone know Catholic High is using which book for literature? Thanks.

[Coolkidsrock2]

Any idea which is/are the subject(s) with the higher probability of failure? I know a couple of kids who fail Geography - only subject that they fail.

[janet88]

mummy so kiasu:

Do they need to sit for exams in term 1? One of my friends told me that it is very common for the kids to fail 1 or 2 subjects out of the 8 subjects. Not easy for average kids to handle so many subjects. Any comment?

There are exams in Sec 1. My aunt told me to be prepared for son to fail at the beginning. From 4 to 8 subjects, it is heavy load...which is why I am against him taking a CCA which requires several days of staying back.
Get a CCA..done and over with that day. History, Math, Geography, Lit, English, Chinese...these are toughER.

This holiday, I bought cloze assessment book to keep his brain working. Just started Chinese tuition today.

[isetan]

Yes, CCA like track n field, NPCC or NCC can take up lots of time. Heard some even needs to stay back 2 to 3 times a week.

[Coolkidsrock2]

But there is a 2-point deduction for active CCA participation and participation in the more sedate CCA will not earn sufficient points to get the 2-point deduction.


Am starting English tuition tomorrow. Bought some supplementary guides and inherited relative’s texts and notes to go through. About time to re-start the engine after so many weeks of hiatus and play.