Secondary 2 Streaming
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MyPillow:
MP, my girl similar thinking. Although she enjoy history and literature, she find geography more useful. So, will opt for geography.
Pure Geog is a live subject , rather project based n relavant to current context ( population , tourism , energy conservation , landscape chg due to physical temperate chg, employment , housing , immigration , birth rate , natural disasters etc ) I think it is useful to broaden the mind n read up what’s happening around the world , may have some relevance n application to GP at A level - logical / critical writing skills. History really need a lot of memory work ;love of Eng language ( my child is history elective , dun think he enjoys the memory work for exam)phtthp:
hi Janet,
between Geography & History (4 books to study), which one easier to study ? -
The secondary Geography assignments (examples, Singapore dengue cluster analysis, environment and architectural design) we receive are similar to the Sumerian civilisations etcetera studied in primary school social studies, so comfort in familiarity.
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daughter will opt for geography. son took elective history and he almost went bonkers memorising.
practising SBQ questions for history is killing my girl now. -
nms1:
The kind of maths that you cover in school is not going to be relevant in the real world. It may be worth her looking at statistics or business studies type of courses later on if she wants an understanding of how to run a business. If she is not great at maths then it may be better to stick with E maths and have more time for other subjects. My daughter wanted to do A maths just because she thought she should and because of the \"prestige\" but we have persuaded her not to do it- although I doubt she is going to qualify anyway!
After watching 'S Hook' zeh, aka Lerine Yeo, selling so well on her Facebook, I think you could be right.
It's true you don't need to know calculus, etc to be in business. But I'd think one must be sensitive to numbers (at least not averse to Math) if one wants to be a businessman/entrepreneur. If you're referring to other types of business courses like Tourism, Mass Comms, then maybe Math isn't that important.
Your daughter will be able to do H2 Math in JC/PreU and perhaps will be eligible for selective courses in Poly that require A Math, if I'm not wrong.
For now, strategically picking her strongest subjects to secure a low L1R5 is key. -
MyPillow:
There's usually at least 1 Geog-related question and 1 History-related question among the 12 qns in GP at A level. But some tweaking of your acquired content from Years 3-4 is required to score A1.
Pure Geog is a live subject , rather project based n relavant to current context ( population , tourism , energy conservation , landscape chg due to physical temperate chg, employment , housing , immigration , birth rate , natural disasters etc ) I think it is useful to broaden the mind n read up what’s happening around the world , may have some relevance n application to GP at A level - logical / critical writing skills. History really need a lot of memory work ;love of Eng language ( my child is history elective , dun think he enjoys the memory work for exam)
2017
1. ‘The past is not dead. It is not even past.’ Discuss. HISTORY
2. Can the use of animals for scientific research ever be justified?
3. In your society, to what extent is it acceptable for public money to be used for the acquisition of works of art?
4. ‘Rehabilitation, not punishment, should be the purpose of the justice system.’ Discuss.
5. Is regulation of the press desirable?
6. Do events, rather than politicians, shape the future? HISTORY/SS
7. How far is science fiction becoming fact?
8. Examine the role of music in establishing a national identity in your society.
9. To what extent are people judged more by their physical appearances than by their abilities?
10. ‘Practical ability is just as important as intellectual skills.’ How far is this true in your society?
11. Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective. GEOG
12. ‘The quality of written language is being destroyed by social media.’ What is your view?
2016
1. ‘Any adaptation of a novel for a film, television or the theatre is never as effective as the original.’ Discuss.
2. Assess the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society. HISTORY/SS; GEOG
3. ‘Longer life expectancy creates more problems than benefits.’ Discuss. GEOG
4. Considering the money involved, should developing countries be allowed to host major sporting events?
5. ‘Human need, rather than profit, should always be the main concern of scientific research.’ Discuss.
6. ‘Countries experiencing conflict should be left to sort out their own problems.’ How far do you agree? HISTORY/SS
7. How far has modern technology made it unnecessary for individuals to possess mathematical skills?
8. ‘People who do the most worthwhile jobs rarely receive the best financial rewards.’ To what extent is this true of your society?
9. Evaluate the claim that equality of opportunity for females is a desirable, but unrealistic, goal.
10. Assess the view that most natural disasters are the result of human activity. GEOG
11. Is competition always desirable?
12. ‘Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone’s opinion is of equal value.’ What is your view?
Geog O level essays vs History O level essays. Understand there are some short qns in Geog based on data/stats/graphs and qns are formulated like Science OE qns. History (and Lit) on the other hand drills students in PEEL writing skills. By the time they go to JC, they are already very skilled in answering opinion essay qns that require critical thinking skills and logical writing skills. -
For your reading pleasure

Written by: Professor Tommy Koh
https://www.ipscommons.sg/moulding-the-future-of-our-nation-the-role-of-the-humanities/
Why Study History?
Why Study Literature?
The Case for the Humanities -
Hi parents, would like to ask a question for my sec 2 DS who’s facing streaming this year.
Is it true that pure history has super huge amount of memorising work?
What about pure lit?
DS has been strong in history amongst all his humanities subjects, but I think he’s hearing from his seniors and teachers that upper sec pure history requires huge effort on memorising. So he’s thinking of taking SS+elect hist and pure literature. We are unsure as he had never done well in eng lit in lower sec…just passing only, so we are trying to persuade him to rethink cos we think his weak eng lit foundation will make it tough for him to cope with pure lit.
At least history is a strong subject for him, so we think even though it requires a lot of memory effort, but given his interest in history, it should at least make it a lesser pain than taking pure lit.
Appreciate if some of the parents here with upper sec kids can give me some advice based on your hindsight.
Thanks! -
XYZ1:
Hi, my impression is that History is easier to score than Geography, but requires a lot more reading.DS has been strong in history amongst all his humanities subjects, but I think he's hearing from his seniors and teachers that upper sec pure history requires huge effort on memorising. So he's thinking of taking SS+elect hist and pure literature. We are unsure as he had never done well in eng lit in lower sec....just passing only, so we are trying to persuade him to rethink cos we think his weak eng lit foundation will make it tough for him to cope with pure lit.
At least history is a strong subject for him, so we think even though it requires a lot of memory effort, but given his interest in history, it should at least make it a lesser pain than taking pure lit.
Our school's upper secondary History curriculum: The world in crisis 1919-45 (The impact of WW1, The rise of the dictators, WW2 - causes & effects, Cold war), Understanding SEA 1900-independence (The Japanese in SEA, Colonialism in SEA, Rise of nationalism in SEA, Decolonisation & emergence of nation states)
How do I know if I should take History? (quoting from school handout)
Have an interest in the topic
Have an open mind
Be willing to work hard to master the content -
sky minecrafter:
son took elective history in upper sec...other than his interest in Japan, the rest of the topics were a torture.
Hi, my impression is that History is easier to score than Geography, but requires a lot more reading.
Our school's upper secondary History curriculum: The world in crisis 1919-45 (The impact of WW1, The rise of the dictators, WW2 - causes & effects, Cold war), Understanding SEA 1900-independence (The Japanese in SEA, Colonialism in SEA, Rise of nationalism in SEA, Decolonisation & emergence of nation states)
How do I know if I should take History? (quoting from school handout)
Have an interest in the topic
Have an open mind
Be willing to work hard to master the content -
I’m so happy and RELIEVED!
daughter passed 6 subjects to be promoted to Sec 3NA.
next, subject combination…hopes to take geography, food & nutrition.
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