2015 PSLE Discussion and Strategies

[AdvancedAcademia]

Always21:

Went to DS Meet-the-parents last Wednesday, the English teacher shown us a sample of the composition, no longer four picture story board but three unrelated pictures.


He was saying they can choose one picture to write about or put these three pictures and create an essay.

Don't know what he meant..really stress!!

Don't be stressed! Get informed! The change and the briefings from the various HODs from schools seem to be suggesting the following: 1) Pupils will be \"allowed\" to write any text-type as long as it is in continuous form. 2) The content of the writing must either relate to 1 or more of the pictures or to the concept provided.

Short-term view: It will seem that teaching pupils to write narratives well will still be a safe bet, as teachers themselves will take some time to come to terms with the changes and become more familiar with what is acceptable and what is not in the PSLE marking.

Long-term view: The range of writing and quality of writing will be more differentiated. Because judging by the changes, MOE seems to have recognised that many out there have resorted to formulaic learning to do well in compositions; memorizing phrases and vocabulary and regurgitating them onto paper. These types of writing might end up becoming the B+ / A paper but the top range A* will be awarded only to those who have really learnt the skills of writing and can link up conceptual ideas well.

[flametree]

Hi there,


My son’s school will be testing the new format for composition writing in CA1. However, the compo writing taught during Eng lesson is still based on the old format!

Anyone has any sample of how does the new format will look like? Are the 3 pictures related or unrelated? As it’s so easy to write out of point, anyone has any idea how will the kids be graded? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[AdvancedAcademia]

As mentioned, you don’t have to be too concerned that your child is being taught in the old format (for now) as you are still allowed to write narrative stories, which is what shld be taught. The 3 pictures could or could not be related; for e.g it could be pictures about a car, a wrench, a traffic light. (Related) or a tree, a chair, a letter. (Unrelated)


The whole idea is to see if children could use one or some of the pictures to craft a story. As for writing out of point, this is not likely, as long as the story deals with one of the pictures…

[flametree]

AdvancedAcademia,


Thanks for your reply.

[BigDevil]

flametree:

Hi there,


My son's school will be testing the new format for composition writing in CA1. However, the compo writing taught during Eng lesson is still based on the old format!

Anyone has any sample of how does the new format will look like? Are the 3 pictures related or unrelated? As it's so easy to write out of point, anyone has any idea how will the kids be graded? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

See my post http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=954217#p954217.

[HAPPYH]

Hi


Did any of your DS/DD finish new syllabus listening comprehension (SA1)? Or any practice given in your school? My DD said something like they gave multiple choices and need to choose one from the choices given and no dictation in new syllabus. She sounded not very sure like that? If you have some idea about teh new syllabus listening comprehension, kindly share. Thank you in advance.

[HAPPYH]

Hi


Just curious to know whether MCQ comprehension is removed in the new syllabus English.

Thank you in advance.

[HAPPYH]

My DD also told me that there will not be vocabulary cloze. Of course, compre cloze stays alive.


New OE compre seems to be easy (my Dd’s school did only 3 so far). May be they will increase the difficulty level slowly. I also noticed that the passages are short. Ours is a neighbourhood school. What about other schools? Do you feel the new OE compre is easy?

TIA

[mother777]

OMG seriously no vocab cloze? and no MCQ in compre also?

what else is being removed?

But I didn’t hear any such things from DD school. She is still in P3, so may be the new syllabus changes will be more visible in coming year.

Till now the composition and other exam portion still following the old format in her school…

[AdvancedAcademia]

mother777:

OMG seriously no vocab cloze? and no MCQ in compre also?

what else is being removed?

But I didn't hear any such things from DD school. She is still in P3, so may be the new syllabus changes will be more visible in coming year.

Till now the composition and other exam portion still following the old format in her school..

Huh? There definitely will be a change in composition. How is it that the examination format for composition has not changed?