P1 workload
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Actually the key is that you need to test the child in a timed environment. Kids who have not been in a CA environment tend to feel very relaxed and do not know that results/bands are given to the child, which subsequently they get graded like how we parents know it.
Schools are now abolishing CAs and it seems common.
Actually I thought that was an excuse for giving the teachers more lax time.
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winth
I don’t agree with your statement "Kids who have not been in a CA environment tend to feel very relaxed and do not know that results/bands are given to the child".
Schs without CA has topical tests instead. Though they are not counted towards final marks in report book, they give parents and child an idea how much they have grasped the topic, then we oursellves zoom into area of weakness for revision for SA. On the topical test, there would be indication of class average & highest mark. So we know where we stand.
luanee, take note that average mark is not medium or high+low/no. but the mark obtained by the majority.
To me, sch with CA are indeed stressing the parents and kids. It is like every 2 mths or so, there are formal tests/exams. There is no time to cover others that are outside text (ie text’s content/syllabus are not enough to tackle exams) and slowly digest/practise weak topics. -
Luanee:
Were informed thru school's announcement letter.BTW how do u ppl know whether ur kids school having CA or SA? I dont even know whether mine has or not!
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SMILEY:
Got to know during P1 Parents' Orientation.
Were informed thru school's announcement letter.Luanee:
BTW how do u ppl know whether ur kids school having CA or SA? I dont even know whether mine has or not!
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Hi caroline,
Sorry that I might be generalising on my previous statement. I hope you don’t feel offended.
It’s true that schools replace CAs with Topical tests but maybe it’s because it’s not taking into account into their final year score that parents/children don’t really prepare for them or might not feel that it’s very important?
The trend seemed true with the students that I’ve taught in the past for various levels and various schools. Even for my girlfriend, she felt the same way with her DD and said that CA could have better prepared her daughter as compared to small class tests or project work. For her DD’s school, even daily class assignments’ are regarded as part of the topical tests.
So, what happened was in her P1, she was too shocked in her SA that she left her problems sums blank. When it was time’s up, she was only halfway into her paper. Now, my friend is trying to create a stressful environment for her so that she can complete her ‘exam’ within x mins. But still… Sometimes, she still curse and swear why she went through so much to get her into a good school…
Like what buds commented, even without CA, parents can still reinforce with daily assignments to their children. It’s important to give children this responsibility of getting their daily assignments completed and knowing that they are studying for themselves, not for their parents. -
winth
no worries, I am not offended.
While it is true to some extent some parents may feel topical test are not important, it may be because they have no time. Time is spent on learning things that are outside of text, to meet the unexpected questions in SA. Meaning to say, channel time & effort towards exams that count in report book.
To handle a class of 40 students of varying capabilities / learning pace, usually homework are relatively easy and there are tonnes of such easy activity books’ homework which take up substantial time for revision / learning wider/in depth scope. And these homework can’t compare to topical test, don’t even mention exams in terms of difficulty level. So naturally, parents would be shocked to see the exam results. If the topical test or worksheets homework are almost on par with exam questions, I think lesser parents would complain. -
winth
The reason for shocked SA results is the lack of keeping on toes by parents. Having CA is just a tool for parents to be on the ball.
Another reason is the ‘playing cheat’ of teachers who set questions not taught before to sieve out the cream of crop. These cream of crop are the ones who have attended very good tuition centre like learning lab. The sch wants to identify who are these top students and then stream them into top 2 classes. -
Heyya caroline3sg,
Yes, usually in the exam papers for all subjects, there will be
like 2 or 3 questions outta context. Errmmmm like a critical
thinking question to sieve out the better students within the
level.
And winth… agree with you.
Timed environment is crucial practise to ensure our children
know how to tackle the questions accordingly. Children who
aren’t used to timed-exams may not feel the heat of completing
everything on time and tho topical tests are graded as for normal,
the intensity of the bands does not reali sink in…
I also agree with caroline3sg on the area mentioned that the CA
may pose a certain stress, esp for working parents. It also applies
to children who may not have formal kindergarten knowledge that
should’ve prepared them for Primary 1 curriculum.
It still boils back down to the point that children should preferably be
prepared prior to joining the P1 cohort year. For example, children
who are still not able to read and write effectively by mid K2, think
they can be prepared when their time comes?
Children will not know how to make the preparation themselves or
have a certain study timetable to ensure they get a bit of everything
including play-break, thus it is the onus of the parents to ensure these
necessary measures are in place at least 2 years before the child
enters P1. This in turn will not result in undue stress to the child nor
to the parents, with or without the implementation of CA in the school
they are to attend… -
What is CA and SA? :?
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allseasons:
What is CA and SA? :?
Continual Assessment (Usually test in Feb and Aug)
Semestral Assessment (What we know as 'Mid/End of Year Exams', usually in Apr and Oct)
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