Science topics - Different school, different topics. Why?

[senseimichael]

slmkhoo:

Why do you find it unacceptable? As long the child learns all the topics before the major public exam, I don't really see any problem with it. My kids have been in a small international school overseas for many years, and often subjects like science and social studies are taught in 2-year blocks, eg. all grades 3 & 4 kids do the same topics, then the grade 3 kids will do the rest of the topics the following year, while the grade 4 kids will have done them the year before. It has worked fine for the kids. They don't do this for Maths and English though.

I have taught and managed international schools, and my two older boys went through international schools. It's different when there are no exams involved which might stream your kids into classes with \"less desirable\" fellow students (I have yet to hear of international schools that do such streaming). Once exams and Asian parents (both legal combinations) are involved, then the parents would want more accountability in the teaching and examinations.

[sharonkhoo]

senseimichael:

slmkhoo:

Why do you find it unacceptable? As long the child learns all the topics before the major public exam, I don't really see any problem with it. My kids have been in a small international school overseas for many years, and often subjects like science and social studies are taught in 2-year blocks, eg. all grades 3 & 4 kids do the same topics, then the grade 3 kids will do the rest of the topics the following year, while the grade 4 kids will have done them the year before. It has worked fine for the kids. They don't do this for Maths and English though.

I have taught and managed international schools, and my two older boys went through international schools. It's different when there are no exams involved which might stream your kids into classes with \"less desirable\" fellow students (I have yet to hear of international schools that do such streaming). Once exams and Asian parents (both legal combinations) are involved, then the parents would want more accountability in the teaching and examinations.

Since the exams and streaming are internal to the schools until P6, I still don't see it as a problem as the students are compared against others in the same school. They should all have covered the same topics as the students in other schools by the PSLE.

[senseimichael]

slmkhoo:

Since the exams and streaming are internal to the schools until P6, I still don't see it as a problem as the students are compared against others in the same school. They should all have covered the same topics as the students in other schools by the PSLE.

If all kiasu parents think like you, slm, there would (indeed) be no issue at all (like in international schools). Unfortunately, in the \"high stakes\" game of grades in Singapore, parents want to give their children as much of a head start as possible, and that means starting from as early as kindergarten. Hence the big money in prep classes.

[phtthp]

I think at P2 -

schools can consider starting a Preparatory Science course.
because I feel that suddenly introduce a new subject at P3, by throwing the kids into the deep blue sea, is a bit … un-nerving.

furthermore, the topics confusing. Some schools teach this topic, but not that, until P4. There is no standardization of all topics for Science. Science is a tough subject.

[janet88]

Thought most schools would be teaching and testing Diversity at CA1/SA1...but 'materials' parked under diversity would not be taught until term 3...instead replaced by animal and plant life cycles. In a way it is ok bcos materials with 'hard' and 'flexible' terms would be harder.

So I combed through all the past year papers for questions on life cycles which is taught at P4 for most schools

What simkhoo mentioned is true...exams and streaming is internal...and ultimately we do see PSLE as the real big thing...I do want to go easy but the high stakes exam in 3 years time has to start preparing from now...building the foundation which I missed.

[sembgal]

phtthp:

I think at P2 -

schools can consider starting a Preparatory Science course.
because I feel that suddenly introduce a new subject at P3, by throwing the kids into the deep blue sea, is a bit ... un-nerving.

furthermore, the topics confusing. Some schools teach this topic, but not that, until P4. There is no standardization of all topics for Science. Science is a tough subject.

Science can be broken down into bite-sized portions for children to learn. Study the Science syllabus and must know what will be tested. How? Check this out!
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences/files/science-primary-2008.pdf

[TheAnswer]

There are actually parents who hire tutors to prepare their kiddos for science when they are in P2 – the really kiasu parents

[sembgal]

There are even kindergartens that teach Science concepts in K1 and K2. It all boils down to what the child is able to absorb and is curious enough to want to know more.

[TheAnswer]

sembgal:

There are even kindergartens that teach Science concepts in K1 and K2. It all boils down to what the child is able to absorb and is curious enough to want to know more.

I started science with my boy in K1. Quite interesting for little kids..

[sembgal]

TheAnswer:

sembgal:

There are even kindergartens that teach Science concepts in K1 and K2. It all boils down to what the child is able to absorb and is curious enough to want to know more.

I started science with my boy in K1. Quite interesting for little kids..

Cool. Like the kindergarten my child studies in, her school worked with publisher to publish the books based on the science concepts and experiments they did and donated the money to the underprivileged home after fundraising of the sale of those books. The child's photos and name will be in the book and it's a memorable experience.