Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Thu, 08 Dec 2022 05:25:42 GMT

chenlaoshi — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 05:25:42 GMT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJLaOWoVmbM]

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Sat, 04 Jun 2022 05:54:55 GMT

lassie girl — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 05:54:55 GMT

This mid year, this story caught my attention.

You can search for this - S'porean Navy scholar twins who failed multiple subjects in secondary school return to thank teacher before she retires.

Especially this part:
\"I thought it would be another complaint session to my parents but I was completely caught by surprise. Ms Tan was singing praises of both of us! She told my parents that we were good boys, with very good values. She said she saw potential in us and we would make it if we focus on some of our weak areas!

Indeed a good teacher will be able to turn the kids around, whether it’s a good school or “bad” school… Which reminds me of some pointers I wanted to share about Parent Teacher Meetings and hope it helps u in u and your child’s learning journey.

There are many types of teachers in every school. The productive PTMs are the ones where u collect positive feedback, and discuss with the educators on how to help your child at home. What happens if u encounter a very strict “old school” teacher who has many decades of experience and tells u that your child is too “non-compliant” in class, or like this article says - is at the bottom of the cohort?

A lot of times, a child’s perception of the teacher’s impression of him or her, will affect their performance and willingness to learn in that teacher’s class. As a parent, during the PTMs, we can also be the mediator between the teacher and your child, who obviously have different personalities and expectations of each other.

In front of the teacher, besides trying to help our child by communicating with the teacher to see how we can help them at home, we can also help the teacher to understand our child better. This is not trying to find excuses for our child’s behavior, but merely to provide a bridge for communication. If we are defensive, or worst - join the teacher and starts to complain about our child’s behavior at home, the teacher is going to confirm his/her perception of your child, and their relationship in the classroom will definitely worsen over time.

In front of our child, rather than lock, stock, and barrel give the child a piece of our mind about the teachers’ complaints, we can also “modify” the feedback that was given, and help the child see the good points of this teacher, how committed this teacher is, and help the child understand their teachers’ teaching styles. Remember - we cannot control the quality or types of teachers that our child will get every year (not saying any educators are bad but they just have their own teaching pedagogy when trying to do their jobs) but we can help improve our child’s learning journeys if they encounter any “challenges” and teaching them how to deal with different personalities along the way.

Every child loves to learn from someone who believes in them, and every teacher loves to teach someone who is willing to learn! Good luck and I hope this helps anyone who is reading this! :imanangel:

Post selected for https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/every-child-loves-to-learn-from-someone-who-believes-in-them/

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Sat, 21 May 2022 10:34:15 GMT

MrsKiasu — Sat, 21 May 2022 10:34:15 GMT

Not sure about details…but teachers do send out info on which topics to ‘test’.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Sat, 21 May 2022 08:35:23 GMT

sky minecrafter — Sat, 21 May 2022 08:35:23 GMT

Hi, sharing some observations...

Without P5 MYE, our school's writing practices (for both languages) are more focused (though not yet as comprehensive as private enrichment), & teachers could provide more specific feedback & tips for improvement (eg. 7 types of introductions, primacy effect) in order to polish up the skills required to write a strong composition. (EL compo topics: carelessness, overcoming a challenge, a pleasant surprise; CL compo: realised the importance of dialogues, that in order to fulfill a point it is not enough to just mention it but should also illustrate with dialogues) There are constant peer review & group brainstorming as well. So in this instance, more collaborations & self-directed learning, a wonderful process tweak

As for MA, WAs are often topical, & non tested topics are checked in class via non-weighted pop quizzes. So the learning progress is monitored with reduced stress on learners

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Thu, 12 May 2022 04:45:29 GMT

lassie girl — Thu, 12 May 2022 04:45:29 GMT

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2067250\" time=\"1652329274\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2067250 time=1652329274 user_id=195250]
Quite some time haven't seen your posts, how are you? Busy with guiding kids for exams?[/quote]

Oh didn’t know I will be missed online. Was busy with my offline interactions especially with all the reopenings, and not paid to be a professional forummer lol. Enjoy your lunch and ciao!

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Thu, 12 May 2022 04:21:14 GMT

Liew Nga Wing — Thu, 12 May 2022 04:21:14 GMT

lassie girl\" post_id=\"2067248\" time=\"1652328949\" user_id=\"35383:[quote=\"lassie girl\" post_id=2067248 time=1652328949 user_id=35383]

Whether neighborhood or top schools, there are different cultures and personality groups everywhere. Just pick the groups who gel with u. Enjoy and explore parenting life whichever way we can, while embarking on this learning journey with our children. Good luck![/quote]

Quite some time haven't seen your posts, how are you? Busy with guiding kids for exams?

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Thu, 12 May 2022 04:15:49 GMT

lassie girl — Thu, 12 May 2022 04:15:49 GMT

4eva\" post_id=\"2064119\" time=\"1649674198\" user_id=\"197792:

I'm watching that too! My kid is in a neighbourhood school, so I didnt know the culture in top schools are like that one! Is it really so scary, are all the mums so competitive and cliquish one? I only watched the 1st 2 episodes, but I really feel like I empathise with the main character. I felt so bad for her when her son broke the violin. LoL that scene with her running away from the moms' club is so funny...

For those who are still following this.. (am watching episode 11 now).. would still recommend this even though stories and characters are somewhat exaggerated (but may not be unrealistic like super heroes :rotflmao: ). The interpersonal relationships explored in the series - between the parent/child, parent/parent (husband and wife within the family when handling parenting problems) and parent/other parents (the gossips and dynamics of parent groups) are somewhat reflective of realistic parenting life as we know it. Drama series are meant to be entertaining and would otherwise become a documentary :?

Whether neighborhood or top schools, there are different cultures and personality groups everywhere. Just pick the groups who gel with u. Enjoy and explore parenting life whichever way we can, while embarking on this learning journey with our children. Good luck!

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:42:38 GMT

Zeal mummy — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:42:38 GMT

4eva\" post_id=\"2064119\" time=\"1649674198\" user_id=\"197792:

I'm watching that too! My kid is in a neighbourhood school, so I didnt know the culture in top schools are like that one! Is it really so scary, are all the mums so competitive and cliquish one? I only watched the 1st 2 episodes, but I really feel like I empathise with the main character. I felt so bad for her when her son broke the violin. LoL that scene with her running away from the moms' club is so funny...

..Take it with a pinch of salt.. most things on Netflix are exaggerated and sensationalized so that they get more viewership..

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 11:37:07 GMT

floppy — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 11:37:07 GMT

4eva\" post_id=\"2064119\" time=\"1649674198\" user_id=\"197792:

I'm watching that too! My kid is in a neighbourhood school, so I didnt know the culture in top schools are like that one! Is it really so scary, are all the mums so competitive and cliquish one? I only watched the 1st 2 episodes, but I really feel like I empathise with the main character. I felt so bad for her when her son broke the violin. LoL that scene with her running away from the moms' club is so funny...

It’s a show.

You really didn’t think Spider-Man was real, right?

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 10:49:58 GMT

4eva — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 10:49:58 GMT

lassie girl\" post_id=\"2064056\" time=\"1649587288\" user_id=\"35383:[quote=\"lassie girl\" post_id=2064056 time=1649587288 user_id=35383]
No mid year exams means hopefully more me time for parents too.. Currently watching the “green mothers club” on Netflix… am sure all parents here will see a bit of themselves in the different characters portrayed.. good to sit back and see things from a different perspective…

Especially the part when someone says “I am not that kind of mum/parent” and the emotions/responses it evokes (from other mums)..

:siam:[/quote]

I'm watching that too! My kid is in a neighbourhood school, so I didnt know the culture in top schools are like that one! Is it really so scary, are all the mums so competitive and cliquish one? I only watched the 1st 2 episodes, but I really feel like I empathise with the main character. I felt so bad for her when her son broke the violin. LoL that scene with her running away from the moms' club is so funny...

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:17:39 GMT

sushi88 — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:17:39 GMT

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2064069\" time=\"1649634422\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2064069 time=1649634422 user_id=195250]
An interview with Minister of Education by LianHe Zaobao on the scrapp of Mid Year Exam for info.

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20220410-1260469[/quote]

He echoes my sentiments. Children today are more fortunate in terms of pursuing their dreams. In the past, putting staple food on the table was the key for most families, that's us!

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:47:02 GMT

Liew Nga Wing — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:47:02 GMT

An interview with Minister of Education by LianHe Zaobao on the scrapp of Mid Year Exam for info.

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20220410-1260469

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Sun, 10 Apr 2022 10:41:28 GMT

lassie girl — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 10:41:28 GMT

No mid year exams means hopefully more me time for parents too.. Currently watching the “green mothers club” on Netflix… am sure all parents here will see a bit of themselves in the different characters portrayed.. good to sit back and see things from a different perspective…

Especially the part when someone says “I am not that kind of mum/parent” and the emotions/responses it evokes (from other mums)..

:siam:

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 23:46:29 GMT

zac's mum — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 23:46:29 GMT

I hope your intention was merely to state your opinion rather than to diss all religions.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 14:38:09 GMT

chenlaoshi — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 14:38:09 GMT

sushi88\" post_id=\"2063096\" time=\"1648623534\" user_id=\"100857:

We should teach children to observe details in the right way but not to the extent of 钻牛角尖.

Yeah, sushi88, I agree. Important differences/mistakes definitely need to be highlighted (e.g. the 部首 of 会 vs. 公) although your earlier example of 月 is too extreme (can understand if it's from calligraphy teaching point of view cos of the 审美观 involved, but not in normal penmanship).

https://i.imgur.com/OSgIqGY.jpg
">

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 09:22:30 GMT

sushi88 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 09:22:30 GMT

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2063105\" time=\"1648627027\" user_id=\"28674:

Same with English fonts vs handwriting. Kids just have to learn what is acceptable and not.

Actually English is not as strict unless the kids' handwriting is seriously bad like writing \"d\" like an \"a\" or \"g\" like an \"a\" or \"q\" like an \"a\". I have encountered such students...such a pain to read what they write.. :slapshead:

The anecdote shared was specific to a school teacher only, just pointing out what are extreme examples of asking kids to follow unnecessary stuff. Having said this, most things standardised by MOE taught in school have a good rationale behind them though we may not see it at first glance.

For example, in Science, writing in keywords is not only for marking purpose. It is for scientific accuracy in describing a science phenomenon instead of writing in layman's term to bring out the science principle behind it.. Whenever I read medical lab reports, I always think of the keywords taught in science in school. Think of it as technical writing.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:57:07 GMT

sharonkhoo — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:57:07 GMT

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2063077\" time=\"1648618384\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2063077 time=1648618384 user_id=53606]
Ya my kid has asked me why certain Chinese characters look quite different when printed in different font…and which is the “acceptable” way to write the word…I guess just follow the CL textbook…but then again the 6B CL textbook pages 81-84 are in a cartoony font :slapshead: [/quote]

Same with English fonts vs handwriting. Kids just have to learn what is acceptable and not.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:06:19 GMT

sushi88 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:06:19 GMT

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2063077\" time=\"1648618384\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2063077 time=1648618384 user_id=53606]
Ya my kid has asked me why certain Chinese characters look quite different when printed in different font…and which is the “acceptable” way to write the word…I guess just follow the CL textbook…but then again the 6B CL textbook pages 81-84 are in a cartoony font :slapshead:

https://i.imgur.com/CAn6Vsm.jpg\">

Don’t the 口 and 团团 look like circles instead of squares? Etc…[/quote]

Oh I love your analogy from another font. Seriously, how can we base our standards on computer fonts? There are hundreds of fonts out there... We should go back to the basics of origin of the characters on first principles and not be too much nit-picking.
I think if \"yue\" is written with the horizontal lines both exceeding the vertical lines (出线), then perhaps that is blatantly wrong.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:58:54 GMT

sushi88 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:58:54 GMT

chenlaoshi\" post_id=\"2063084\" time=\"1648619559\" user_id=\"162894:

Lol Yes, Chinese font can be a headache at times - so ideally we'll stick to 楷体 KaiTi font (for main text/content, at least).

Hello chenlaoshi....你好！
How about those days when we grew up without a computer? Maybe you are very young, so computers were already available during your growing years. Also, I do not think there was a major announcement that we have to follow new font guidelines for Chinese by China or SEAB.

Otherwise the earlier generation learn from 象形字 or typewriter font gotta relearn?

https://postimg.cc/XX1QFn9t

In the evolution of 月 from 象形字, it has the origin of joining from the pictorial form and I believe in current internet age, all forms except the pictorial form are legitimate versions of 月。 See the automatic font on my computer produced the \"yue\" with lines joining the vertical line on the right? :lol:

We should teach children to observe details in the right way but not to the extent of 钻牛角尖.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:24:03 GMT

phtthp — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:24:03 GMT

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2063045\" time=\"1648606295\" user_id=\"3:

Lol. That's why I gave up trying to teach my son science. The Science Subject in primary school is simply a case of memory work and English. Kind of like history.

In PSLE Science,
if use simple English layman terms to explain the results / interpretation of the scientific experiment finding(s), without using any keyword or any scientific terminology or use the wrong scientific principles / concepts applied, students can get zero mark for open-ended Structured questions Section, can fail this whole section.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:10:39 GMT

lee_yl — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:10:39 GMT

phtthp\" post_id=\"2063076\" time=\"1648618369\" user_id=\"35251:

The teacher should just tell the boy to read the instructions carefully. The qn asked for 3 stage, not 5 stage life cycle. So, tell the boy \"Do not add in extra stuff, stick to the qn, please ! \"

Then the teacher continue to tell the student. In class, at home, u can describe the 5 stage to your siblings / parents. You can impress all those around you at home, with your 5 stage expertise knowledge.

But in exam, nobody ask for 5 stage, then why u add in extra ingredients ? In Chinese, what is that phrase u say ?

\"Bu yao jia yan,
Bu yao jia chu \"

Means \"DONT add in extra salt, don't add in extra vinegar, when u are not requested to\". In fact, you will be penalised because under exam condition, go straight to the point. If the boy doesn't know this, then teacher will explain to him, until the boy fully understand. Nobody is going to be impressed in exam, when the qn never even ask for extra.

Why cannot add ?

Then, teach the boy that
Because Science is \"Precise\".
Science is different from Art, because Art is creative. You can add in any extra ingredients into your Art work, to make it creative, authentic. But No, for Science. Because Science is \"Precise\". When the exam qn ask u for \"3\" stage life cycle, then answer it. DONT be key-kiang (try to be smart), turn the 3 stage life cycle into a 5 stage life cycle, trying to impress people that u are very knowledgeable.

So, what must the boy do, under tight exam condition ?

Read the question carefully, lah ! And use a pencil to underline the key question phrase : 3 stage. Then he won't go off course to answer more than what the qn asked for.

Bear in mind, one impt thing in Psle marking -

Science Tr got several thousands and thousands of students' Science scripts to mark. Where got time to be impressed, by answering beyond what the qn asked for ?

This boy must be taught, asap : different scenario, warrant different things, not try to show off

Just like in school, in working world, the requirements are all different !

I don’t think it’s a case where the boy was asked for 3 stages but ended up trying to show off he knew 5 stages.

The question could go, “How many stages are there in a frog life-cycle?” If the boy is an avid reader and has strong interest in Science, he probably picked up lots of interesting facts about animals etc. So while his classmates wrote 3, he could explain 5 but since that was not the intended answer in teacher’s marking rubric, the boy would be given zero marks

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:09:58 GMT

phtthp — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:09:58 GMT

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2063041\" time=\"1648605457\" user_id=\"17023:

I couldn’t recall where I read this article. It’s about a parent sharing about his P4 son got the answer for frog life-cycle wrong. The question asked kids to briefly describe the frog life-cycle. The boy could describe all the 5 life-cycles of a frog and the teacher was impressed but he still marked the answer wrong cos they only taught about frog’s 3 life-cycle. This is what could happen when a child learns deeper.

Be very careful how students (eg. The boy, in this case) read the exam question, under exam condition.

As u know under the new Psle marking AL scheme, is very easy to lose one point and cross over from AL 1 into AL 2.

In this case, by answering a 5 stage life cycle instead of stick to the original context, 3 stage life cycle, the student will be penalised and could end up with an AL2 instead of AL1. If he had answered the 3 stage life cycle, he could have hit 90 marks. But because he answered 5 stage life cycle, he got penalized, end up with 88 marks, instead of 90. Hence, end up with AL 2, instead of AL1.

So in Psle, stick to the original qn, don't be \"key-kiang\" (try to be impressive, try to be smart, show off that u know a lot), answer more than what u are supposed to.

The same thing, apply to Maths questions too, not just Science.

Reply to Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023 on Wed, 30 Mar 2022 05:55:01 GMT

phtthp — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 05:55:01 GMT

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2063041\" time=\"1648605457\" user_id=\"17023:

I couldn’t recall where I read this article. It’s about a parent sharing about his P4 son got the answer for frog life-cycle wrong. The question asked kids to briefly describe the frog life-cycle. The boy could describe all the 5 life-cycles of a frog and the teacher was impressed but he still marked the answer wrong cos they only taught about frog’s 3 life-cycle. This is what could happen when a child learns deeper.

This boy, whoever he is, must learn one very impt lesson, from young. And that is -

Different situation, warrant different requirements. You don't add in extra stuff, extra ingredients, to a situation that doesn't warrant, doesn't require it. And the earlier the boy understand this, the better is for him.

Why, so ?

As mentioned earlier, different situation warrant different requirement.

Example

Suppose in a working world, the real world setting, there is this \"Counsellor and Client \" situation.

The Client has a problem and so, he confided his detailed problem to the Counsellor and mentioned that he feel ... sad.

Now, suppose the Counsellor didn't hear properly, or interpreted the message wrongly, then he told the Client \" you said that you feel ... angry ?\"

What happen ?

What was the client's feeling that he himself earlier mentioned? Sad
Did the client say he was angry ? No, client didn't.

But what feeling (word) did the Counsellor use ? Angry.

What happened ?
The counsellor added in extra ingredient : angry

The meaning between sad and angry are so totally different, right ?

In a counselling session, u don't add in extra stuff, extra ingredient. Now, the counselling session been messed up.

So, the same analogy apply in exam condition. Don't add in extra ingredient. Stick to the original context. Then, u won't go wrong