Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ?

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Thu, 27 Nov 2014 08:33:42 GMT

learneatplay — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 08:33:42 GMT

I guess a good and effective time table is best planned together with your child. I have copied my article to tackle exam stress here for your leisure reading

Design a time-table together with your child, yes together!
Coming out with a time-table together will allow your child to experience and take responsibility of his/her own learning. Your child will also be more willing to accept and follow the schedules and activities planned as he/she was part of the decision making.

Sit on a couch and talk daily before sleep!
You may not sit on a couch but I meant somewhere both of you feel comfortable enough. When I say talk, it is not just hearing one another’s voice. It is a ‘debrief’ session of the day with your child for them to feel good for the things they had done well and reflect on things they can do even better. Parents have to take note of their tone of voice especially as a negative tone will simply put your child off and this session can backfire!

Work together with your child!
Your child’s best teacher is not the school teachers, me but you! Since birth, your child looks upon you and models after your actions whether you know it or not. Hard to believe, but parents, you are your child’s best teacher! Of course in reality, parents spent most of their time working to earn money for the benefits of your family. Hence, parents usually do not have much time left for learning and working together to take place. Cliche as it may sound, ‘if there’s a will, there’s a way’, I am not asking you to take a whole day’s leave to work together with your child but 15 to 30 minutes on one concept a day, is all it takes for the best quality of learning! Try it out to believe it! By doing so, your child will be able to experience the best learning process.

Work together with your child’s teachers and tutors!
Do not think of spending tons of money and throwing all responsibilities of your child’s learning to the outsiders! Yes, a trained personnel can teach better but as mentioned in the previous point, your child looks up to you! They learn fast and better with you than with an outsider since there’s already great bond and rapport built up since birth. Teachers, tutors and all other enrichment stakeholders are important for your child to unleash their potentials but if parents do not come in as the last piece of puzzle, face the fact that you are just throwing your hard-earned money to the sea because you are not there to recap and reflect with your child what was taught.

Play!
Tough as it may sound, ‘play? the author is crazy!’ – the first thought that probably come through your mind. Time is so tight and precious, how can I still allow my child to play? Yes you can, I am not saying computer games but outdoor! This is best done on a weekend and all it takes is 30 minutes to an hour. By moving about, your child’s information-heavily-loaded-mind can take a short break and during this period, your child’s mind is able to collate and organize the information and it will be a bonus when a teachable moment occur!

Open your mind and try these 5 simple tips. If you have other tips that you would like to share, do leave a comment below. I am a full-time tutor (trained in MOE) with more than 7 years experiences working in private and public education sector. Can check out my portfolio by clicking on my profile to see my wordpress link

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Fri, 07 Nov 2014 02:22:29 GMT

janet88 — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 02:22:29 GMT

before school ends for the year, I hope to finish some assessment books and revise at the same time after marking them.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:56:07 GMT

sharonkhoo — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:56:07 GMT

ChiefKiasu:
slmkhoo:
... The other headache I have is how to have one child study while the other one is free to choose what to do. My other daughter has no study plan and I won't make her do one as she did very well. I don't see that she needs to revise over the vacation, and we don't believe in studying ahead. She has a long list of things she wants to do, but none of them include study (we don't count reading as studying).

The purpose of timetable setting is to get the person to identify a goal and to then plan towards that goal. It shouldn't matter whether that person has done well or not so far.

Well, the backstory is that our stated policy with our kids is that vacation time will be discretionary if they study hard/well during term time and don't show any 'holes' that need fixing. Looking through my older girl's exam papers, there are glaring 'holes' as well as proof that she did not learn her work as thoroughly as she could have, even taking into account her inherent weaknesses. Hence the need to do more work during the vacation. Goals - currently, for her, all C's would be nice!

We feel we need to be fair to the other girl and keep to our word to let her have discretion over her vacation time even though her sister will be studying part of each day. She focuses well when studying, and her results show that she is reaching her (pretty high) academic targets, so we will not require additional work. She says a run-through just before school starts will be good enough, and we believe her. It's not that she has no goals or schedule for this vacation, just that it doesn't include revision of academic work.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:13:56 GMT

janet88 — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:13:56 GMT

I am hands off for my son, but I dare not do the same for my daughter.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:36:06 GMT

Funz — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:36:06 GMT

I am starting to hands off of kiddos already, for DD especially. Exam schedules are out very early so I print a copy for them and told them intensive revisions should be at least 2 weeks before the papers. They plan their schedule from there. Their tutors also help remind them, not to mention schools also start making them do exam papers roundabout that time so kiddos take their cue from there as well.

All other non-curriculum activities continue as per normal so kiddos need to work their revisions around those activities. I do not believe in dropping everything just because of exams.

They tell me their plans and I give them my opinion, eg too little or too much. I will also ask them what areas they think they are weak in for each subjects, they identify and will need to spend a bit more time on those.

My role, print past years’ papers for them. The sooner they are independent the better for all.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:35:01 GMT

janet88 — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:35:01 GMT

I’ve been planning schedules since son was in P1…it helped me to achieve objectives on a weekly basis. then 1-2 months before any CA or SA, the exam schedule will over-ride the weekly one.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:27:24 GMT

ChiefKiasu — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:27:24 GMT

slmkhoo:
... The other headache I have is how to have one child study while the other one is free to choose what to do. My other daughter has no study plan and I won't make her do one as she did very well. I don't see that she needs to revise over the vacation, and we don't believe in studying ahead. She has a long list of things she wants to do, but none of them include study (we don't count reading as studying).

The purpose of timetable setting is to get the person to identify a goal and to then plan towards that goal. It shouldn't matter whether that person has done well or not so far.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 07:16:07 GMT

BlueBells — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 07:16:07 GMT

alng:
I personally feel preparing for class and paying attention in class are the best strategies. I have seen students, who use these strategies, do not really have to revise very much for exam and still do well in exam.

But many students do not pay attention in class thinking that they have tuition to fall back on.

I subscribe to the same thinking, hence my approach has been to allow my child to continue all the activities she likes (swimming, dancing, whatever) throughout her P6.

I left the onus on her to manage her time and work - if she doesn't pay attention in class and can't keep up her work, then all those time she spent on her favourite activities will have to make way for tuition. It's either her favourite activities or tuition. It's her choice.

Surprisingly, it worked well. She takes 4S+H, has only one tuition and consistently stays within the top 20% of her school. No super A*, just As and merit but good enough for us.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 06:02:29 GMT

sharonkhoo — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 06:02:29 GMT

janet_lee88:
if one has to plan a schedule and revise while the other is free to do as he/she pleases, then there will definitely be whining and the word 'unfair' will be mentioned.

my son has to brush up his English this holiday. I've already heard my younger one whine and complain why gor gor is so free for the last 2 weeks of October.

My girls are generally quite OK when one has to study and the other not - no whining or major complaining. Just some sighs and dejected faces. I explain to them why (different exam schedules, different abilities etc) and they accept it. I feel sorry for the one who has to work, so try to keep the 'free' one out of the other's hair. I've told my younger one to do her crafts etc in the living room so as not to distract her older sister. We'll probably try to make some 'treats' for the older one too.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 02:10:57 GMT

janet88 — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 02:10:57 GMT

if one has to plan a schedule and revise while the other is free to do as he/she pleases, then there will definitely be whining and the word ‘unfair’ will be mentioned.

my son has to brush up his English this holiday. I’ve already heard my younger one whine and complain why gor gor is so free for the last 2 weeks of October.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:52:58 GMT

sharonkhoo — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:52:58 GMT

I have just talked to my 17yo about what she needs to do over the vacation. Her school has actually asked them to write down what they plan to do in terms of revision over the vacation! That gave me a good opportunity to say my piece without too much rebellion on her part. I have told her that, based on her (better than mid-year but still bad) exam grades, she should plan to spend 2-3hrs every weekday on some form of revision. What she submitted to school is very broad-brush, so I still have to make sure she draws up a more detailed timetable for herself. Actually, she only has about 3.5weeks for her study plan since her school goes on till 14 Nov, and there will be nearly 3 weeks ‘off’ because of family vacation, church camp and Christmas!

The other headache I have is how to have one child study while the other one is free to choose what to do. My other daughter has no study plan and I won’t make her do one as she did very well. I don’t see that she needs to revise over the vacation, and we don’t believe in studying ahead. She has a long list of things she wants to do, but none of them include study (we don’t count reading as studying).

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:40:48 GMT

janet88 — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:40:48 GMT

bb_ mom:
Good to start P5 Math if very familiar with P4 Math already. At the end of P4, I went thru' the whole year's work with DS again. I can't imagine how much worse he would have fared if I didn't do that.

tutor started p5 math...hubby will revise p5 and also p4.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:43:41 GMT

Misty Rain — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:43:41 GMT

alng:
I personally feel preparing for class and paying attention in class are the best strategies. I have seen students, who use these strategies, do not really have to revise very much for exam and still do well in exam.

But many students do not pay attention in class thinking that they have tuition to fall back on.

:goodpost:

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:41:42 GMT

bb_ mom — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:41:42 GMT

Good to start P5 Math if very familiar with P4 Math already. At the end of P4, I went thru’ the whole year’s work with DS again. I can’t imagine how much worse he would have fared if I didn’t do that.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:37:52 GMT

MyPillow — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 03:37:52 GMT

janet_lee88:
Daughter has started p5 math with her tutor.

For English and science, it will be revision of the weaker areas.

Yes Janet, good to start early if possible, I find P5 Maths
so much more in depth than P4 (although P4 is also a high jump fr P3) now P5 starts to \"abandone\" model ... other ways of equations and branching can come into Math..

Any recommedations for Eng comprehemsion cloze and synthesis book to recommend for upp Pri ( 5 &6)

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Mon, 03 Nov 2014 00:01:33 GMT

janet88 — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 00:01:33 GMT

Daughter has started p5 math with her tutor.

For English and science, it will be revision of the weaker areas.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Sun, 02 Nov 2014 07:05:16 GMT

alng — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 07:05:16 GMT

ChiefKiasu:
alng:
I personally feel preparing for class and paying attention in class are the best strategies. I have seen students, who use these strategies, do not really have to revise very much for exam and still do well in exam.

But many students do not pay attention in class thinking that they have tuition to fall back on.
Personally, I don't go for class. I usually get the lecture notes and then go off somewhere to study and research by myself. When unclear, I will go bugger the professor one-on-one in private until he clears my doubts. I find this increases my learning efficiency tremendously than to sit in a class trying to absorb whatever the guy standing there is saying. Then again, different strokes for different folks.

Chief, your method applies to tertiary students only where class attendance is not compulsory.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Sun, 02 Nov 2014 01:48:58 GMT

janet88 — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 01:48:58 GMT

chief,

your method doesn’t apply to kids in primary school.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:27:49 GMT

ChiefKiasu — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:27:49 GMT

alng:
I personally feel preparing for class and paying attention in class are the best strategies. I have seen students, who use these strategies, do not really have to revise very much for exam and still do well in exam.

But many students do not pay attention in class thinking that they have tuition to fall back on.

Personally, I don't go for class. I usually get the lecture notes and then go off somewhere to study and research by myself. When unclear, I will go bugger the professor one-on-one in private until he clears my doubts. I find this increases my learning efficiency tremendously than to sit in a class trying to absorb whatever the guy standing there is saying. Then again, different strokes for different folks.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:14:47 GMT

janet88 — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:14:47 GMT

my kids' holidays are not fun-filled neither will it be filled with work...I try to strike a balance because mummy here needs to relax and indulge in some retail therapy too...but the schedule leans towards individual ME time :imanangel:

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:34:04 GMT

MyPillow — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:34:04 GMT

Oh dear, our kids life is still tough n " miserable" during sch holidays… :0

I will plan to start the weakest subject first usu MT 3 wks before exam , followed by sci - syllabus too heavy.
For math it is the normal constant practice, even if I did not give, sch will give them quite a lot of math hw over the week ends. But ds sch exams are always challenging for math followed by sci. There are so many varieties of sums that I can hardly catch up.

Sch holidays, relax pace to try to complete the pages in assessment books. I still hope kids can enjoy childhood n not instill fear , rejection in hw/ learning.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:13:18 GMT

alng — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:13:18 GMT

I personally feel preparing for class and paying attention in class are the best strategies. I have seen students, who use these strategies, do not really have to revise very much for exam and still do well in exam.

But many students do not pay attention in class thinking that they have tuition to fall back on.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:10:22 GMT

janet88 — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:10:22 GMT

I printed calendar from oct-dec for son to plan his revision and finish up the rest of assessment books.

For daughter, her revision will commence next Monday.

Reply to Do u have a " Exam time table " at home ? on Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:08:11 GMT

sleepy — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 13:08:11 GMT

No timetable. I simply write a checklist listing down action items.

A very long checklist :evil:

Just trashed the exam checklist since exam over. Came up with a fresh one - holiday checklist.
Even longer than exam checklist

For dd1, I'm trying a new approach this time round.
I asked her to record stuff she did from beginning of this month. She managed to list 6 items to date. 1 of the items was coaching her younger sis during psle marking week.