2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[JasmineTan]

Not to worry Janet.

Next year truly will be better.
Unlike the PSLE which can be maddening, the secondary mathemathematics has very clear scope and boundaries.
Children will start afresh with familiar topics such as whole numbers.
So its a good new start to reestablish foundations.

Meanwhile for your P6 child, look out for good books by Fabian Ng such as Math without tears or Essential Review in PSLE.
Fabian periodically conduct PSLE workshop too.
Quite unique kind. No gimmics no pompous just substance.
Very thorough and equip children with very effective thinking skills.
However, Fabian seems not to be very active these while.

All the best
Jasmine

[Chenonceau]

JasmineTan:

Quite True.

Its good to initiate our children early to good effective problem solving skills and good thinking strategies.
Else they will be never be ready for those killer questions that appear in the papers!

Ummmm... I rather think that early does not mean better. Some skills need to be taught only after others are mastered or else the child has a weak foundation. In languages, I think it is better to focus on increasing vocabulary and mastery of sentence structure before emphasizing inferencing. In Science, kids must understand and remember Science facts and relationships before we teach them answering techniques. In Math, they need to be fast and accurate with basic manipulation of large numbers (add, subtract, multiply) before we teach them heuristics.

This is because the higher order skills make use of the simpler skills. If the simpler skills are not in place, then the child will have problems using the higher order skills. This is de-motivating. Once the child loses motivation, 3/4 of the battle is lost.

Early is not always better. You wouldn't feed a slab of beefsteak to your 6 month old baby? You wouldn't try to teach yachting before you've taught swimming and basic sea safety.

[JasmineTan]

I agree. Fundamental foundations must be established before we teach them heuristic thinking skills.
The problem is heuristic thinking skills are often not taught well in school.
They talk about teach less learn more.
But its actually teach little test more.
Unless we equip our students to think and with the requisite skills.
Many students will be discouraged with learning of mathematics!

Jasmine

[janet88]

JasmineTan:

Not to worry Janet.

Next year truly will be better.
Unlike the PSLE which can be maddening, the secondary mathemathematics has very clear scope and boundaries.
Children will start afresh with familiar topics such as whole numbers.
So its a good new start to reestablish foundations.

Hi Jasmine,
Thanks for the assurance. PSLE is really a mad year. :frustrated:
Neighbor told me no such thing as models but focus is on algebra.
Math paper over. Son told me it was very tough. Anyway, it's over and time to focus on Chinese tonight.

[G Tan]

janet_lee88:

JasmineTan:

Not to worry Janet.

Next year truly will be better.
Unlike the PSLE which can be maddening, the secondary mathemathematics has very clear scope and boundaries.
Children will start afresh with familiar topics such as whole numbers.
So its a good new start to reestablish foundations.

Hi Jasmine,
Thanks for the assurance. PSLE is really a mad year. :frustrated:
Neighbor told me no such thing as models but focus is on algebra.
Math paper over. Son told me it was very tough. Anyway, it's over and time to focus on Chinese tonight.

My DD is having maths paper tomorrow, her weakest...

[fightingmom]

G Tan:

janet_lee88:

[quote=\"JasmineTan\"]Not to worry Janet.

Next year truly will be better.
Unlike the PSLE which can be maddening, the secondary mathemathematics has very clear scope and boundaries.
Children will start afresh with familiar topics such as whole numbers.
So its a good new start to reestablish foundations.

Hi Jasmine,
Thanks for the assurance. PSLE is really a mad year. :frustrated:
Neighbor told me no such thing as models but focus is on algebra.
Math paper over. Son told me it was very tough. Anyway, it's over and time to focus on Chinese tonight.

My DD is having maths paper tomorrow, her weakest...[/quote]Hi G Tan,

Good Luck to your DD ! :rahrah:

My DD already knew her paper 1 maths score and HCL results today while we still have 2 more papers to go ! :yikes:

Sigh... sometimes wish the teacher will release the results only after all papers are done. Imagine those who don't score well, how it would affect the child in their next paper?

[janet88]

Math paper over !!! 2moro Chinese. Then Science. I can go to Orchard Rd after that. Great Singapore Sale :rahrah: stress man the past 1 month. More stressful from july onwards.

[fightingmom]

janet_lee88:

Math paper over !!! 2moro Chinese. Then Science. I can go to Orchard Rd after that. Great Singapore Sale :rahrah: stress man the past 1 month. More stressful from july onwards.

Go, go , go ! :rahrah: :rahrah:

[mum42]

Agreed with you fightingmum, DS Eng n MT teachers have told them their paper 1 , LC n oral marks . For those whose did well it boost their confident but those whose did not do well they wil be v stress to make sure they do well in paper 2 . Why affect their mood before the paper…

[G Tan]

mum42:

Agreed with you fightingmum, DS Eng n MT teachers have told them their paper 1 , LC n oral marks . For those whose did well it boost their confident but those whose did not do well they wil be v stress to make sure they do well in paper 2 . Why affect their mood before the paper.......

I also agree. Shouldnt reveal the marks as exams still going on...