2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[fifiyeo]

Our focus was all on Math this term. DS grades for Math up 12 marks to 75. First time in 9 months we see a 70+ for Math.

[Essential]

Gd morning everyone ! Fifiyeo , my DS improved in math by 12 marks so we need to focus in science . Btw how u revise with your child for languages?

[PiggyLalala]

Chenonceau:

Yes yes yes... we must upload the difficult questions. Piggy will tell us from her experience if PSLE is easier or more difficult!!


:please: :please: :please:

I will upload when we get the stuff back.

Yup.. please upload the difficult questions. You may want to do a google search on PSLE questions. I remembered some students actually typed out the PSLE questions immediately after the PSLE paper on that day. The Maths papers on 2010 is relatively easy. As such, some kids can finish the paper in one hr. It is very important to teach the kids to use the remaining time to check on their answers. The skills of checking for checking careless mistake is important when the paper is easy. For the 2009 Maths, a few questions are really difficult. The kids have to read the questions and understand the 'underlying' meaning. The question on sweets and chocolate - one has to understand that if the question says A gives half the sweets to B, it means A and B have the same number of sweets in the end. For the 2011 paper, what i heard from my nephew is that the questions are not very tough but tedious. He rushed through the last few sums. So if yr child is already good, do train him for speed and accuracy.

Hi chen, my ds1 barely passed one of his chinese test. I think it is time for me to do something. If not, his chinese result will just be going down each year and each test. Yes, I will remember to pray too.

[Peony]

Zekezachzoom:

Is good to know that the teachers are more \"kancheong\" than the parents. Perhaps the teachers have a set of KPI to achieve too:)

YES! They push our kids so that they will meet their KPIs.

They set killer papers to ensure parents freak out, help the kids even more, so that they will meet their KPIs!

[Chenonceau]

Peony:

Zekezachzoom:

Is good to know that the teachers are more \"kancheong\" than the parents. Perhaps the teachers have a set of KPI to achieve too:)

YES! They push our kids so that they will meet their KPIs.

They set killer papers to ensure parents freak out, help the kids even more, so that they will meet their KPIs!

This says it all.

[Chenonceau]

PiggyLalala:

Chenonceau:

Yes yes yes... we must upload the difficult questions. Piggy will tell us from her experience if PSLE is easier or more difficult!!


:please: :please: :please:

I will upload when we get the stuff back.

Yup.. please upload the difficult questions. You may want to do a google search on PSLE questions. I remembered some students actually typed out the PSLE questions immediately after the PSLE paper on that day. The Maths papers on 2010 is relatively easy. As such, some kids can finish the paper in one hr. It is very important to teach the kids to use the remaining time to check on their answers. The skills of checking for checking careless mistake is important when the paper is easy. For the 2009 Maths, a few questions are really difficult. The kids have to read the questions and understand the 'underlying' meaning. The question on sweets and chocolate - one has to understand that if the question says A gives half the sweets to B, it means A and B have the same number of sweets in the end. For the 2011 paper, what i heard from my nephew is that the questions are not very tough but tedious. He rushed through the last few sums. So if yr child is already good, do train him for speed and accuracy.

Hi chen, my ds1 barely passed one of his chinese test. I think it is time for me to do something. If not, his chinese result will just be going down each year and each test. Yes, I will remember to pray too.

Piggy... if I upload the questions then people will know which school my son is in... and which class. Since I have complained so much about his English teacher, I am not keen to have that generally known. Can I PM you for your email and email you?

Thanks for the head up on the PSLE questions. I will go and google. Never thought of doing that!

[Chenonceau]

PiggyLalala:

Hi chen, my ds1 barely passed one of his chinese test. I think it is time for me to do something. If not, his chinese result will just be going down each year and each test. Yes, I will remember to pray too.

All the best to you. :snuggles:

Does your DS still listen to you? DD by Sec 2 kinda kicked me outta her life. I learnt to stay out of her life judiciously or have rows. I basically resigned myself to her doing badly in Chinese.

Do be wise about it eh? One of DD's classmates (extremely bright) used to spend nights at school, so as not to have to go home and face his Mom. Another one told my DD in a fit of pique \"When I start work, I'll GIRO an allowance to my Mom and make sure I never see her again.\"

Neither child did well at A levels. To do well at A levels, the child needs family relationships that are harmonious and loving, not contentious. Then that child will find or ask for the resources to scale his personal mountain. In the case of DD, she did poorly in Sec 3 AND Sec 4 Chinese... Her school put her into the same remedial class with little Sec 2s in Sec 4. When her friends (all with A's in Chinese) saw how poorly she was faring, they all pitched into coach her. Taught her short cuts. Gave her lists. Sat with her to test her on stuff memorised. She began working really hard because her friends were egging her on... and the result was an A.

Don't worry so much. If the price for success in Chinese is peace at home then perhaps it isn't worth it. Your DS is bright and goes to school with other bright kids... and if in a top school, the resources should be ample enough. When push comes to shove, trust your DS to find his way.

But well... I dunno much about your situation (and your DS might not be as stubborn as my DD)... so I think you still know best. Just sounding a word of caution.

[pixiedust]

PiggyLalala, thanks for the sound advice. I have same concerns as Chenonceau.


I looked through the paper, it was not really very "killer", in my opinion - just that those typical Q18 questions, they gave 3 of it, Q16,Q17,Q18. and the pattern question, they incorporated area.

I believe most of the kids were stumped due to lack of time management skills. My son completed the paper but he spent a long time back-checking one of the problem sums…anyway, CA is done and over. We are moving forwards.

[Zekezachzoom]

znzyzyzx:

Can I check with all the P6 parents here. Do you allow your son to go out alone , after school ? My son is complaining that we dont give him freedom.

I would not allow to let my son to go out alone with this peers without any parents. He is increasing asking me to let him takes his own bus back (which I am fine with it) and arrange outings with his friends (movie, skating). I will normally just tag along with them to make sure things are in order if there is no other parents there.

[Zekezachzoom]

After seeing the strict psle marking standard that his science teacher applied on the CA1 paper, I think I need to revisit this subject again. It used to be my DS strong subject, but he is now demoralized by his ca mark.Fortunately he is still holding his fort well for the math. I am going to focus more on his science and Chinese compre for this coming holiday