Catholic High (Primary)

[karmeleon]

fluerdreamer:

In CHS, starting this year(for P1, 3, 5 only) for maths, they use worksheets developed by the school instead of those workbooks that come with the textbooks.

Granted in CHS they use their own curriculum for Math (yeah, no need to buy math textbooks).

My eldest boy just finished his PSLE, and I don't see the rationale of getting \"charisfaith\" to give tuition for CHS math?? :?

[Martin-MoneyTree]

My son, P6 this year, has gone through the Catholic High Conceptual teaching methods.


I’ve attended their Maths Conference middle of this year, and understand that they want the students to think out of the box when face with a problem.

The students approach a new topic in class, but being challenged why they need to study that topic.

For example, when learning about area of circle, usual method, is to know the formula, calculate the area with the given radius, etc.

But here, they are given difference circles and asked if they have the same area. Which is bigger? Why are they the same area?

I understand that they break into small groups to come up with the answers, and each group to present to the whole class. Where other groups can challenge their answers (or beliefs).

In this way, it forces the students to think deeper.
They need to find consensus in their small group to agree to a certain way of thinking about the problem. They then have to present it to the whole class. And they have to defend what they belief in.

The only set back I find amongst the P6 students. They seems to be able to do the hard questions, but they got some of the very basic questions wrong.

Why? Well, I attribute it to that the students are now conditioned to handle complex situations (difficult questions), so they tried using their "advance" methods on simple questions automatically.

Thus, they have to learn how to look at any question, and to find the simplest method to solve, if can’t, then apply more advance method.

Just my thoughts on this mater. Hope it’s of help to you.

Martin Lee

[Blessedmum]

Wow... all these sound deep to me already.... tks for explaning. Btw, do many schools use this approach?

Martin-MoneyTree:

My son, P6 this year, has gone through the Catholic High Conceptual teaching methods.

I've attended their Maths Conference middle of this year, and understand that they want the students to think out of the box when face with a problem.

The students approach a new topic in class, but being challenged why they need to study that topic.

For example, when learning about area of circle, usual method, is to know the formula, calculate the area with the given radius, etc.

But here, they are given difference circles and asked if they have the same area. Which is bigger? Why are they the same area?

I understand that they break into small groups to come up with the answers, and each group to present to the whole class. Where other groups can challenge their answers (or beliefs).

In this way, it forces the students to think deeper.
They need to find consensus in their small group to agree to a certain way of thinking about the problem. They then have to present it to the whole class. And they have to defend what they belief in.

The only set back I find amongst the P6 students. They seems to be able to do the hard questions, but they got some of the very basic questions wrong.

Why? Well, I attribute it to that the students are now conditioned to handle complex situations (difficult questions), so they tried using their \"advance\" methods on simple questions automatically.

Thus, they have to learn how to look at any question, and to find the simplest method to solve, if can't, then apply more advance method.

Just my thoughts on this mater. Hope it's of help to you.

Martin Lee

[Martin-MoneyTree]

Hi,


I can dare say that no other schools are doing it. As teachers, HOD, and other educators moved from school to school. And ideas will get to be recognised and implemented in parts in other schools too.

Best practices are sometimes shared by teachers at Teachers-Network sessions, in the different Clusters (in their different Zone), etc.

But as this initiative took place from end of last year by a group of teachers in Catholic High.

They have chosen 1, 3 & 5 levels to implement the new methodology and syllabus, and they are doing development one term earlier than the actual term.

Thus, it's very time consuming for the teachers involved.

Next year, they will do for the 2, 4 & 6 levels.

As my son's form teacher, Ms. Low is in that team, she has started using it with my son's class for P5 & P6. My son has thus benefited from this method.


I have started consolidating Questions & Solutions for PSLE Maths 2009 at my blog :
http://psle-2009-questions.blogspot.com

Do visit and contribute your comments there too.

Thanks.

Martin Lee

-----------------------------
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[Blessedmum]

Have just received the orientation kit. Looked thru the booklist… they have Science!! Will they be tested on Science?

[Momma Joan]

Hi, My son will be in P3 next year. Am just wondering if anyone stays in Katong area and wants to carpool taxi home from CHS on daily basis? I have been using the taxi driver uncle for the past year. Very reliable and safe.

[vodkacat]

my boy is gg to P1 for 2010 in catholic and anyone know wht is the time they hv to report to school? He hv to take the school bus transport so i dunno wht time he hv to wake up

[acforfamily]

Hi I understand that some schools have CCA buses going to limited areas only. Does anyone know whether the school bus go to Yio Chu Kang after CCA hours?

[Working Mummy]

Hi Vokacat.


Our boys need to be in school by 7.15am. They will have their assembly at the parade square. Lesson will start at 7.35am. You have to check with the bus driver what time he is coming to fetch your boy so that you can decide what time he has to wake up every morning.

Hi acforfamily,

CHS do have school bus for after CCA hours. You can check with the bus driver and they will let you know which bus to take. From what I know you have to pay a fee for taking the bus ride.

[vodkacat]

thks for yr info Working Mum anyway i’m gg to the orientation tis coming sat btw yr kid is in primary 1 tis year?