2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[worldangel]

For compo, I categorise the phrases according to certain broad themes ie. to describe a morning/afternoon/evening scene (good to use in introduction), incidents such as fighting, fire, accident etc. Will then plan the compo together with the kids and get them to contribute to phrases which can be included in each paragraph.


I also let them have access to model compositions to have a sense of good sentence structure and how to use those vivid phrases/words when it comes to writing a composition.

[G Tan]

fightingmom:

Hi Hi,


Can i check how many compositions your DD or DS has done in schools so far since school starts in Jan ? My DD so far only did 2 EL compo but has so far done 5 CL compo in class. For the second EL compo, the teacher has yet returned us ! :shock: :faint:

TIA

my DD has done 1 comp in term 1 and 1 comp in term till now. Imagine nx week is comp exam... N not returned yet... Arggggh

[worldangel]

G Tan:

fightingmom:

Hi Hi,


Can i check how many compositions your DD or DS has done in schools so far since school starts in Jan ? My DD so far only did 2 EL compo but has so far done 5 CL compo in class. For the second EL compo, the teacher has yet returned us ! :shock: :faint:

TIA

my DD has done 1 comp in term 1 and 1 comp in term till now. Imagine nx week is comp exam... N not returned yet... Arggggh

So far done 3 Compos in Term 1, 1 in Term 2. Cannot blame the teacher also as they have a lot of other things to mark at the same time.

[tutor_ng]

worldangel:

For compo, I categorise the phrases according to certain broad themes ie. to describe a morning/afternoon/evening scene (good to use in introduction), incidents such as fighting, fire, accident etc. Will then plan the compo together with the kids and get them to contribute to phrases which can be included in each paragraph.


I also let them have access to model compositions to have a sense of good sentence structure and how to use those vivid phrases/words when it comes to writing a composition.

I used the same strategy when coaching the students in my tuition group. They have been with me for about a year. I can see the improvement in their writing as compared to a year before. At least now, they were now able to use the phrases appropriately

[fightingmom]

Hi,


Was reading today's WanBao and came across this article about a P6 girl loses her interest in her study. She spends her time watching Korean dramas, play computer games and facebook. The expert interviewed recommended 7 ways to help children who are facing such problem. So thought of just sharing it here.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2i8yluq.jpg\">

[HAPPYH]

Snow Crystal:

Honey:

Actually I was so sure since last year that there will be no vacation this June due to PSLE prep but when I see how hard dd works & the stress she faces (which we are unaware of), it pains my heart. The other day, she shared out aloud \"you have no idea the amount of stress I face\" & that broke my heart & set me thinking, ya as a mom & adult, I am very well aware of the stress of PSLE but am I truly aware of the stress that my dear child faces in school from her teachers & friends? And also her stress in managing & meeting our expectations of her? Yes, she is not even 12 yet but how should I expect my dear child to be able to handle all the stress as if it wouldn't affect her more than it would on hubby & me?

Well said! Great reflections.Yes go for your break in June!



Some general comments: The poor kids face PSLE stress and after School, more tuition homework plus parents homework. Trying their best and yet still get verbal or physical abuse by some parents at home. Parents come home from work see them relax pile more work. Maybe they have finished their school work and are just taking a break watching tv. They are not machines, they need breaks and relaxation. Parents create expectations. But these kids are going through the PSLE, not the parents. Imagine day in day out is work work work. So please take a step back, lower our expectations, applaud our kids' efforts and learn to accept them for who they are. At the end they would have tried their best. If they can't hit 25x, 26x, it's ok, try again in O levels. Don't overkill at this age. Even if score 26x, also not a sure guarantee to do well in secondary school. Some 25x, 26x are not performing well in secondary school. Just go with their current ability. Try stepping into their shoes going through a major PSLE - much more major than the PSLE you have taken with huge expectations - how well do you think you can fare in this PSLE if you were them?! Give them a hug, a smile and some kind encouragement. :hugs:

:goodpost:

[HAPPYH]

fightingmom:

Hi,


Was reading today's WanBao and came across this article about a P6 girl loses her interest in her study. She spends her time watching Korean dramas, play computer games and facebook. The expert interviewed recommended 7 ways to help children who are facing such problem. So thought of just sharing it here.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2i8yluq.jpg\">

Will greatly appreciate if someone summarises this in English. TIA

[janet88]

I am facing this prob now. :frustrated:

Son has school hw and spelling...are they sufficient for SA1 ? No, bcos even basic 'skeleton' is not taught in school, but have to do school hw. Tutors are the ones who make sure he understands and be ready for SA and PSLE.
I cannot add anymore work...if he has a breakdown now, the whole PSLE is gone !!! Is PSLE supposed to be like this ? For kids who make the grade, are tutors the ones who coached/guided them all the way through ?

How and where do I draw the line ? Any advice ? Thanks.

[tutor_ng]

janet_lee88:

I am facing this prob now. :frustrated:

Son has school hw and spelling...are they sufficient for SA1 ? No, bcos even basic 'skeleton' is not taught in school, but have to do school hw. Tutors are the ones who make sure he understands and be ready for SA and PSLE.
I cannot add anymore work...if he has a breakdown now, the whole PSLE is gone !!! Is PSLE supposed to be like this ? For kids who make the grade, are tutors the ones who coached/guided them all the way through ?

How and where do I draw the line ? Any advice ? Thanks.

What do you mean by 'basic skeleton'? What do you define as that and how do you know that the teachers in school are not teaching him that?

As a tutor, usually I will go through the homework with the kids first and ensure he understands the concept taught in school before moving on to past year papers & assessment books. Of course different students will have different requests from the parents - some prefer me to concentrate on helping them cope with their homework (which can be really difficult at times) while some rather I spend time guiding their children through the questions in top school past year papers.

[janet88]

tutor_ng:

janet_lee88:

I am facing this prob now. :frustrated:

Son has school hw and spelling...are they sufficient for SA1 ? No, bcos even basic 'skeleton' is not taught in school, but have to do school hw. Tutors are the ones who make sure he understands and be ready for SA and PSLE.
I cannot add anymore work...if he has a breakdown now, the whole PSLE is gone !!! Is PSLE supposed to be like this ? For kids who make the grade, are tutors the ones who coached/guided them all the way through ?

How and where do I draw the line ? Any advice ? Thanks.

What do you mean by 'basic skeleton'? What do you define as that and how do you know that the teachers in school are not teaching him that?

As a tutor, usually I will go through the homework with the kids first and ensure he understands the concept taught in school before moving on to past year papers & assessment books. Of course different students will have different requests from the parents - some prefer me to concentrate on helping them cope with their homework (which can be really difficult at times) while some rather I spend time guiding their children through the questions in top school past year papers.

The science taught in school is minimal. But yet the exam questions require greater depth of knowledge. My son's tutors will coach him what is required for SA/PSLE. Then get some questions in past year papers to reinforce some methods (eg math). For eng/CL, there are more components like oral, compo and compre. So it's much tougher.

By this time, he should be able to start getting SA1 papers done, but no, he doesn't know what forces in detail are.