Primary ONE English Assignment

[buds]

Aaaahh here it is..

buds:

I'm not sure about older students but the school my daughters used to attend has graduating students who are currently undertaking poly diplomas or in jcs (etc) come back for mentorship programme to tutor weaker students some of whom have been identified to have learning difficulties. The approach is consistent and structured as these graduates apply the techniques using the lesson plans and methodologies created for this separate programme termed, Learning Support Programme. I was invited a few times to pilot the complete tried tested and proven Montessori Math programme in a few primary schools (by recommendation from fellow teacher-friends) for their teachers and former-student volunteers. Children identified to undergo this LSP are observed to be lacking in basic foundation to move forward with the ongoing curriculum and hence require to go back to have basic concepts embedded to move on with the rest of their peers. Once these students overcome that hurdle and are performing well, they are not required to come for the LSP sessions anymore. This bridges the gap some children may face... ie. for children who fall within the cracks of the system... perhaps due to parental ignorance of basic preps.. perhaps due to lack of funding for early childhood education.. perhaps the kindy or childcare didn't prepare them sufficiently or well yah.. perhaps the teachers in kindy didn't teach either even with a given curriculum. Many possibilities. Do not be surprised when i share that there are some of my own friends who do not believe in early childhood education at all.

I however believe that that is where children really start. All that learning thru play is the real thing.. the real learning begins then.. the foundation of what they need is via those absorbent years. As i follow up with former students i have taught, there were many who were auto pilot ie. did not need tuition for the foundation was concrete and prepares them beyond primary school for the Montessori Education prepares a child for life. Failures included.

So just echoing your thoughts really, SAHM_TAN and Busymom.. :celebrate:

[limlim]

KSP:

To me it's more like an exposure for the child to report writing. But how much can a P1 absorb from it is all depend on individual. I think no point asking and trying to find out why, why this and why that... just do it!!!

Ya lah.. but I have to figure out how to do it mah.. (i.e. how to teach/start when my kid show me the paper and ask \"how/what to do\")..

[buds]

KSP:

limlim:

Actually, if the kid knows what to do, even if wrote broken sentences and un-organised words, and graded badly.. it is not so bad.. after all children's abilities vary, and they grade based on performance.


What I'm not happy with is, the P1 kid bought the paper to me, and ask \"how to do? what to do?\". Seems to me that they did not go thru proper explanation or training in class.

Just to share, my elder kid in P2, bought back this assignment, need to draw, then write sentences, words etc.. My kid was able to, w/o assistance, start doing the homework. Drawing ugly pictures, broken English etc.., but able to start on it. Then, when certain part not sure, ask me for help. This shows that the T had clearly trained them well in the assignment before. And even if the grades not good, I'm ok, because the kid was doing work that they were taught in school. they knew what they are supposed to do.

I am only upset if the kid had totally no idea on how to even start doing the assignment and what is expected of them. They are only P1, the T should have explain more clearly to make sure each and every kid understands and knows exactly what to do. How they perform, is then, up to the individuals standards.

Just bring back an assignment and expect the parent to teach? is that the correct approach? At least, provide a sample so that if it is parent's homework, they know how to get started..

I don't think my dd can do this assignment if she was P1, but if she brings back the assignment i will definitely her coz i can't let her hand in blank sheet of paper the next day. I feel if the school work is allowed to bring back home then parents should ensure it is done and complete. If the school really want to test the children abilities then just let them complete it in school like test or exam.

To me it's more like an exposure for the child to report writing. But how much can a P1 absorb from it is all depend on individual. I think no point asking and trying to find out why, why this and why that... just do it!!!

Regardless of children's background and whether or not they have external or home support, majority if not ALL of my students are prepared for P1.. which translates to being able to do this kind of assignment with simple liners and NOT in broken English sentences but perhaps with spelling errors.

My DDs were given samples for assignments that are new (to parents) and they are supposed to convey the instructions to us on how it was to be completed. Certain assignments they had to tell me (and INSIST!) that \"Mommy, sorry teacher does not allow parents to help with this. It must be our own work.\"

The template also either came with sentence starters or hints or ideas. For example,

INTRODUCTION

1. The whole class went to _____________________________________

2. There were __________________________

BODY

3. I got to __________________________

4. It was ____________________________

5. Teacher __________________________

6. My friend _________________________

CONCLUSION

7. I enjoyed / did not enjoy this learning journey because __________________

While some parents may have the idea that finding out more from the teachers and the children can be somewhat a myopic solution, so should just echo NIKE slogan and do it..... look at it another way..... for long term solution..... that it can forge better understanding and partnership between child, teacher and parent(s) if only someone bothered to make the first move.

It has been a slogan for some guys in the army that \"Assumptions are the mother of all _____ ups.\" So, never assume. Clarify. Never assume teachers are cold and not understanding or will take issue with you and your child. For most, they are not like how they are often perceived. Feedback is reflection. With it can we only try ways to improve. Just my honest sharing.

[buds]

Btw limlim… you speak Singlish with your children arh? You mentioned broken english sentences somewhere…

[limlim]

buds:

Btw limlim.. you speak Singlish with your children arh? You mentioned broken english sentences somewhere...

Used to be Mandarin.

Now English+Singlish.

[limlim]

buds:

The template also either came with sentence starters or hints or ideas. For example,

INTRODUCTION

1. The whole class went to _____________________________________

2. There were __________________________

BODY

3. I got to __________________________

4. It was ____________________________

5. Teacher __________________________

6. My friend _________________________

CONCLUSION

7. I enjoyed / did not enjoy this learning journey because __________________

This looks good leh.. easier for parents to follow too..

[iRabbit]

limlim:

buds:

Waiting anxiously.

Will not be clarifying for this one.. (coz the assignment was posted online already..)

but will take note of your comments for the next one.

C'mon, after all the feedback, it'll be good to have a proper closure by updating us what your son's T said.

Otherwise, it'll seem like we're just LLLS for the sake of it.

[Funz]

Alternatively, ask questions base on the 5Ws and 1H.


Where did you go?
When did you go
Who went with you?
What did you see and do?
How did you find the activity/feel after the activity?
Why?

[SAHM_TAN]

Hahaha FQW thinks it’s anti-climax har? HAHAHA

[Imami]

FQW:

limlim:

[quote=\"buds\"]
Waiting anxiously.

Will not be clarifying for this one.. (coz the assignment was posted online already..)

but will take note of your comments for the next one.

C'mon, after all the feedback, it'll be good to have a proper closure by updating us what your son's T said.

Otherwise, it'll seem like we're just LLLS for the sake of it.[/quote]what's \"LLLS\"? :?