2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
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We are getting many chim stuff for Chinese too. This makes me glad that I was stubborn in insisting to Grandma at end of P4 that DS HAD to memorise the China PSLE equivalent best compos (pitched at Sec 3 and Sec 4 Singapore textbooks… I stress textbooks only because (as we all know) the real standards of exams are not calibrated to textbooks). That gave us a foundation for remembering new words and phrases. Oh boy am I glad I insisted and insisted and insisted… and finally got it done over end P4 and right through P5.
psle2011mum, you are right. There is no way that someone who is a native speaker of Chinese or who grew up with Chinese as a main language in Singapore, can understand how to teach Potato Kids Chinese. It’s a whole new ball game.
We’ve skipped school since 2nd week Jan. I documented all the work I planned, took pictures of all the resources we were using, explained to the school that DS was stressed, showed the school my NIE certificate stating DISTINCTION pass, explained that I have a PhD… and the school gave my son a 6 week leave of absence.
He has now gone back to school. He is completely unstressed and rested. CA1 is next week. -
Chenonceau:
...We've skipped school since 2nd week Jan. I documented all the work I planned, took pictures of all the resources we were using, explained to the school that DS was stressed, showed the school my NIE certificate stating DISTINCTION pass, explained that I have a PhD... and the school gave my son a 6 week leave of absence.
He has now gone back to school. He is completely unstressed and rested. CA1 is next week.
Madam, you are really COOL ! :salute: -
Zekezachzoom:
Last year, my son had Math hw everyday...but we still managed to get revision for CA/SA done. But this year, Eng worksheets everyday and last night, he had CL comprehension (not one but 2) due today :faint: i cant help much but just accompany him. If I add in anymore, I will be very inhumane. Told him he has to focus in class as there is no time to revise for CA1.
Janet, my DS too has many homework everyday especially his hmt. The 听写and 默写is a killer this year. Many chim words and long sentences. By the time he finishes all other homework to learn these, he is already totally exhausted ( he has track training the day b4 the 听写和默写. Usually comes back home around 530pm). Can't squeeze in time for revision, just remind him to be attentive in class and do his homework diligently. Serious revision will only happen when his national compeition ends in April. Hopefully is not too late ;( -
Hi 2ppamm,
May I know what US reading list you subscribe? You mentioned that the books come with comprehension questions. I'll love to know more on this if you don't mind sharing.
Thanks!2ppaamm:
Actually, I'm also in a similar situation. I've always had problems with Chinese when it comes to teaching the kids because they don't read enough Chinese books, and we don't speak it at home. But I devised a very simplistic compre method and they would score full marks for that PSLE paper (compre only) without understanding the passage at all! It even amazes the teachers.deminc:
I think it's only for those who don't read much English literature. I am doing this VERBALLY with my two young kids when I read something to them that may be beyond their life experiences, not just with books, but movies. I can't imagine having to do this for them at p6 for English. But for CHINESE, yes! Because there will be many phrases, references, and vocab they are unfamiliar with. Because they don't understand the references, they won't see the 'hidden' meaning. But for someone who is proficient in the tongue, it is clear as daylight.
I feel reading good books can be different from reading non fiction, or books that are more simplistic. So being very good at reading assessment books - or
Geronimo, Percy Jackson books - is not the same as reading a more textured and layered work that draws its material from a deeper philosophical question, or from a more complicated socio- economic background. The Giver for one, can be easily read by a P6, but not every 12 year old will be able to extract the themes from it. It remains one of the most controversial books on reading lists in the US.
But since my kids has normally progressed from PSLE to a degree program, I don't really care about their Chinese beyond that PSLE (A is good enough for me, don't need A*) because they pick it up from scratch at uni. P6 level is enough to give them a headstart among real beginners. :rotflmao:
For English, I think the reading habit is very important, can't agree more. I don't really track what the kids read (which include management books and thick novels, comics, HBR and uni texts displayed on our shelves). In addition, I subscribe to a US reading list, and at the end of every book, they test comprehension of the book. DS2 reads at least a book or two from the reading list a day. I know that he comprehends the whole book (e.g. DS2 read Call of the Wild and Midsummer Night's Dream at 11) and answered all the comprehension questions correctly in an hour inclusive of reading. I am pretty sure he has read The Giver, but I am not sure if he got the themes. I believe my daughter only started looking into themes systematically at about 15 when required by the syllabus. Slowing down a kid might or might not work. If I were to slow DS2 down deliberately, he will be very angry with me. I am more worried about him thinking I do not trust him then him getting the grades. Therefore, if he loses one or two marks here or there, I don't really lose sleep because I want him to continue to love reading instead.
For reluctant readers, like DD3, I think annotation method would work, since I am not sure if he really comprehends (inferences etc) everything he reads and he is still young (P3) to think I know nothing. :skeptical: Yet, I am cautious, I might want him to find a method for himself, just like him to for Math. Having said that, I still think those who use this annotation method are excellent educators! What a wonderful way to break a huge piece into bite size pieces!
Same caution. If we tell the kid everything they need to know, they might stop exploring. I shudder to think the next generation might ask us the right method to learn to walk properly. Something that should come from instinct. :xedfingers: So I'd say let the kid try first, if he can, then leave him alone. Otherwise, whip this up and help him. I'm going to copy all of these annotation thingy and keep it in case I'll ever need it one day.
Thank you psle2011mum. What selfless sharing! :thankyou: -
janet_lee88:
Janet, it is very difficult to revise with our dc as they bring back worksheets everyday. Nowadays I monitor closely how he does his worksheets and when he brings back the marked worksheets, I sit with him and go through to ensure he understands clearly.
Last year, my son had Math hw everyday...but we still managed to get revision for CA/SA done. But this year, Eng worksheets everyday and last night, he had CL comprehension (not one but 2) due today :faint: i cant help much but just accompany him. If I add in anymore, I will be very inhumane. Told him he has to focus in class as there is no time to revise for CA1.Zekezachzoom:
Janet, my DS too has many homework everyday especially his hmt. The 听写and 默写is a killer this year. Many chim words and long sentences. By the time he finishes all other homework to learn these, he is already totally exhausted ( he has track training the day b4 the 听写和默写. Usually comes back home around 530pm). Can't squeeze in time for revision, just remind him to be attentive in class and do his homework diligently. Serious revision will only happen when his national compeition ends in April. Hopefully is not too late ;( -
Hi mn,
I accompany him when he does his worksheets...like yourself, I'll monitor how he does them and goes through the mistakes he made. For some questions like grammar or synthesis which he doesn't know, I will make an indication and ask him to show me when worksheets are marked and returned. Thinking of getting him to work on some synthesis & comprehension cloze this weekend if time permits.
Going :siao: already. -
I suddenly feel so free… I hope this lasts. We worked right through the Dec Hols (minus one week overseas hols), and we did very intensive work from 9th Jan to 10th Feb in homeschool - completed all P6 syllabus. DS is in school, he is getting his worksheets and practices, that he completes all by himself… goofs around with his friends and all. He doesn’t seem to need me very much after school now.
I am so relieved. I hope it lasts. I hope it lasts. I hope the worst is over. -
Chenonceau:
Chenonceau,I suddenly feel so free... I hope this lasts. We worked right through the Dec Hols (minus one week overseas hols), and we did very intensive work from 9th Jan to 10th Feb in homeschool - completed all P6 syllabus. DS is in school, he is getting his worksheets and practices, that he completes all by himself... goofs around with his friends and all. He doesn't seem to need me very much after school now.
I am so relieved. I hope it lasts. I hope it lasts. I hope the worst is over.
Enjoy this moment of relaxing. :imcool: -
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Hi everyone, will the schools conduct any extra classes during the 1 week holidays in September? Thanks.
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