2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
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ngl2010:
While it is true that PSLE is the key exam, getting good grades for CAs and SAs is important for confidence building. Otherwise, the grades must be taken as a wake-up call. You don't just spend the last month studying for PSLE. You have to start NOW.My son has not been revising or doing any assessment books or top school papers to prepare for his CA1 next week because he is preparing for piano exam.
I would have panicked if I don't keep telling myself what Janet has been sharing in this forum that the BIG picture is PSLE. Thank you, Janet!
Remember also that performance in school exams can also be used in appeals to Secondary schools in case the child falls sick on exam days. So for all those taking PSLE this year, please take your CAs and SAs seriously. -
DD1 will be having her violin exam this month. She has to wake up at 5am daily to catch the transport (hubs opted for 1-way) at 6am. She has daily supplementary lessons (since P4). On alternate days, she practices on her exam pieces, scales arpeggios with hubs. The other days we (try to) zoom in on areas of concerns be it a concept concern.. application technique.. exam strategies.. etc.
We don't have much time together (especially since my time is divided by household chores and cooking and the 4 of them) so we maximize whatever time we can get, especially days when homework is done. Our focus can only be more of quality time (specific areas of revision at each opportunity we get together, instead of quantity (of time). Hubs has been helping out a lot either with the boys or the chores every day which I am very thankful for. :please:
As much as possible, both our girls are encouraged to finish homework in school so even if we may not do that much a revision coverage at home, they get to play with the boys.. or chill out from studying and watch some tv.. or at times we go out to play / short tea with our regular friends.. or just sleep early (to make up for days they sleep late).
Saturdays and Sundays are no work days... (as much as possible). Whole week of 5am to 4pm/5pm (on average) so we try to avoid more work for weekends. No life like that. Not just for her, but no life for me as well. :faint: Sunday mornings are scheduled for jogs with gramps for the much needed exercise and also to prepare for NAPFA in mid April. Then in the afternoon followed by either a few hours of swimming and splashing fun for all of us with the babies or we just go kai-kai.
CAs to us (myself and hubs) are always important. In lower primary, it can help bring up SA scores for final assessment. Because CAs have lesser topics covered especially from Term 1, it is the best way to boost up year-end scores. In upper primary, useful if one is keen to consider DSA (to showcase consistent progress) and for P6 (now); to reflect on the gaps that may need instant filling ASAP as they may jolly well be a concept mastery issue or maybe just mind lapses, especially when it comes to topics covered much much earlier that are/have been forgotten.
We used last December to also cover concept revision so hopefully not to much to catch up during the March holidays. :xedfingers:
The school has been actively preparing them as well. Some revision on concepts. Some exam drilling (time management) etc.. We are thankful for that. :love: -
Time management is crucial now…ca1 is less stressful compared to SA1 since there are lesser subjects…so take it as a test. Do plan a schedule of topics to revise during March holidays. June 1 month is the last and longest holiday before prelims…so revise all topics taught for science (from P3). Once school reopens, it will be super rush as there will be PSLE orals in August.
Remember to drink lots of water in the meantime…take care. -
ChiefKiasu:
:goodpost:
While it is true that PSLE is the key exam, getting good grades for CAs and SAs is important for confidence building. Otherwise, the grades must be taken as a wake-up call. You don't just spend the last month studying for PSLE. You have to start NOW.ngl2010:
My son has not been revising or doing any assessment books or top school papers to prepare for his CA1 next week because he is preparing for piano exam.
I would have panicked if I don't keep telling myself what Janet has been sharing in this forum that the BIG picture is PSLE. Thank you, Janet!
Remember also that performance in school exams can also be used in appeals to Secondary schools in case the child falls sick on exam days. So for all those taking PSLE this year, please take your CAs and SAs seriously.
What Chief has mentioned is very true.
Whether is confidence building or a wake-up call, key is to start earlier & be consistent. Dun get complacent, dun panic, dun burnt-out. And of course, understand your child & do set the right expectation & accept them. They will feel the stress/disappointment/happiness through us.
For me, I believe knowing the Sch usual standard will help in some way too.
DS took his PSLE last year.....since his school was pretty relax & he wasn't that ambitious, I pushed/nag him a little more.
DD will be doing hers this year.....besides the Sch pushing hard, there's expectation from teachers & herself. So on my part, I could not bear or dare to push much. What is PSLE if the child is to suffer a breakdown?? Hence for DD, I'm more wary of her stress level.....
So all the best to those doing PSLE 2013. -
BeContented, wah you oso still awake arh? Oh issit toilet break and you find chance to come here to peep?
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buds:
BeContented, wah you oso still awake arh? Oh issit toilet break and you find chance to come here to peep?
Waiting for owls like you
:love:
Nay, just came back from Genting & slept throughout the coach journey, so now eyes big big :scared: cannot sleep. Also recently a lot of things running through my mind, just wondering whether to start a new thread & how to pen them down
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Aaaahh.. ok.. i see.. Go Genting to gamble issit? Our last trip there was with a friend and her girl with intention to get our children to chillax to the fullest. We played the indoor rides till 1am. Just pen down oni lar..
For hubs he said my idea to go on that cheap cable car ride was the worst suggestion ever. -
Thank you for all the advice.
I think at this moment we have chosen piano exam over CA so we will stick to it otherwise DS will feel overwhelmed and stressed.
The school has also recently chose him to represent the school in the debate competition and it requires him to attend training 4 hours a week in school.
We have accepted the possibility that he won’t do well in CA. We also have given up on DSA as realistically it is not possible to get DSA as the chance is extremely low.
All the best to the P6 kids! -
ngl2010:
Hi,Thank you for all the advice.
I think at this moment we have chosen piano exam over CA so we will stick to it otherwise DS will feel overwhelmed and stressed.
The school has also recently chose him to represent the school in the debate competition and it requires him to attend training 4 hours a week in school.
We have accepted the possibility that he won't do well in CA. We also have given up on DSA as realistically it is not possible to get DSA as the chance is extremely low.
All the best to the P6 kids!
For DSA, my DS tried and personally, I think no harm trying. As some people (parent/kids) do get stressed over DSA, maybe limit to 1-2 schools for experience.
We decided to go to DSA last minute and since we thought not much chance and also think DS may not get in via PSLE, we cast our net wide ie. 4 schools.
Surprisingly, he bagged 2 CO & 1 WL ... ie. rejected by top choice
The whole DSA experience (from application to tea session) actually changed our perception and preference. We accepted one. Tho eventually, DS did do well enough to enter his top choice, I guess that's fate, it's not his to be
Note that once the DSA is accepted, no appeal or transfer is allowed after PSLE.
Currently, DS is happy in his school :love: -
BeContented:
Hi.
Hi,ngl2010:
Thank you for all the advice.
I think at this moment we have chosen piano exam over CA so we will stick to it otherwise DS will feel overwhelmed and stressed.
The school has also recently chose him to represent the school in the debate competition and it requires him to attend training 4 hours a week in school.
We have accepted the possibility that he won't do well in CA. We also have given up on DSA as realistically it is not possible to get DSA as the chance is extremely low.
All the best to the P6 kids!
For DSA, my DS tried and personally, I think no harm trying. As some people (parent/kids) do get stressed over DSA, maybe limit to 1-2 schools for experience.
We decided to go to DSA last minute and since we thought not much chance and also think DS may not get in via PSLE, we cast our net wide ie. 4 schools.
Surprisingly, he bagged 2 CO & 1 WL ... ie. rejected by top choice
The whole DSA experience (from application to tea session) actually changed our perception and preference. We accepted one. Tho eventually, DS did do well enough to enter his top choice, I guess that's fate, it's not his to be Note that once the DSA is accepted, no appeal or transfer is allowed after PSLE.
Currently, DS is happy in his school :love:
Thank you for the advice. I guess we will think about the DSA nearer to April/May. When I learned about DSA a couple of years ago, I thought we should try using his piano (he will pass Grade 8 this month) for DSA. However, reading KSP forum destroyed my hope as it appears that getting a grade 8 cert won't be enough because the school requires him to have competed nationally or internationally.
His best subject is Maths but he did not win anything in maths olympiad competition. He loves Science the best but I don't think there is Science domain for DSA. And now he is in his school's debate team which I think won't help him in any DSA but he insisted that we allow him to join (he made his teacher personally called me to persuade me in allowing him to attend the trainings. I and DH think he does not have what it takes to be a debater but how to crash a child's hope?)
There it is. My son is a generalist. How I wish that he has a specific talent e.g. Music so it is clear that he will be either a performer or a teacher. Now everything is half baked. We don't even know what domain he should apply should we decide to apply for DSA :?
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