The Alternative Story (TAS) - Discussion

[isabella.026990zola]

About pure writing class, anyone knows the difference between pure writing and NSA? Which is better for new syllabus?

[sweetbaby]

How’s the pure writing class for p1? How’s the lesson conducted? My ds can read but shown little interest to write. He seems to work better in a group, more willing to try and put effort.

[sweetbaby]

Hmm… How come I can’t find the schedule for paya Lebar branch on their website? Any link to their Facebook?

[hquek]

isabella.zola:

About pure writing class, anyone knows the difference between pure writing and NSA? Which is better for new syllabus?

My limited understanding and conjecture here only.

Pure writing is just on creative writing. full stop. They may have some writing topics based on the new syllabus.

NSA is more where kids are exposed to current events and news papers and they discuss that. I am not sure how much writing will be done or if it's more discussion based.

The english class caters also to the new syllabus - i see my kids compre looking very different these days (for eg, child given an advertisement and told to provide answers by inferring based on an advertisement). If a child is strong in other areas, pure writing/nsa may be suited. but if a child has trouble synthesizing/spelling words, then a regular english class may be best.

[nicnac]

Thank you quirkymum and hquek for sharing your experience… That’s the dilemma. I think my kid is rather weak in compre, careless in grammar but then I also want him to have enough writing practice.


Do the classes, pure writing class and regular class, share the same essay topics?

[hquek]

Hi nicnac,


Careless is still ok, at least he knows. It’s probably the ‘weak’ in compre that I would veer towards the normal english class. Rest assured that during english class, they will go through compos in fair detail (tension curve, how to build up etc).

I think it’ll be good for you to go down and chat with the staff, and view their materials before making a final call. It may be that after the visit, you may go to other schools instead.

[quirkymum]

nicnac:

Thank you quirkymum and hquek for sharing your experience.. That's the dilemma. I think my kid is rather weak in compre, careless in grammar but then I also want him to have enough writing practice.


Do the classes, pure writing class and regular class, share the same essay topics?

They have similar topics but Pure writing goes more in-depth..I think if weak in compre, should go for regular class. Good to go for trial class to have a better feel..have you tried other centres?

[quirkymum]

sweetbaby:

Hmm.. How come I can't find the schedule for paya Lebar branch on their website? Any link to their Facebook?

You can look under their East schedule. That schedule is for Paya Lebar

[dark chocolate]

Hi, for those parents whose kids are currently in TAS, do your kids score well in the worksheets they do during class? DS seems to be getting very poor marks in his worksheets and I am concerned if the questions are too difficult for him. I also noticed the synthesis questions seem to be of a much higher standard compared to assessment books in bookshops.


Am just a little worried if he is absorbing what he is learning.

[sean wife]

Hi,


I also think their worksheets seem quite high standard compared to the same level assessment works. My kids are in K2 and attending their P1 class. They don’t do very well in those OE comprehension questions too. The other worksheets still not too bad, but that is also because I think teacher goes through it verbally with them first before the kids attempt.

I also find that quite a bit of time is taken for doing and marking corrections and re- corrections(maybe something to do with the standard also), leaving only a little time left the end to go through the compo part(which I thought is their forte and the reason why many parents sign up with them)…