Comparing Science Enrichment Programs

[bsk]

Hi

Is the primary science syllabus changed/revised. I was using my older daughter purchased (4 years) ago for my younger one for P4… today when I went to popular saw New syllabus…2017… is there significant change in syllabus ? Any input is appreciated

[jedamum]

Bsk


Are you referring to the science guide? If yes, your kid is only in P4, so I suggest getting the latest one as by 2020 psle, it is 6yrs from your purchase in 2014.

My 2014 science orange guide, I only glance through and bought the lower block new syllabus guide for my son as I think I find the examples given more current. There are some minor changes on the syllabus. Thereafter, I didn't get the upper block as he did not refer much to the guide. He also uses 1 of his brother's 2014 assessment books. Latest series of assessment books has very different application based questions.

This was my post few years back.
https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=19568&hilit=Science&start=2510

I am not sure if there is any new 2017 syllabus as I only know my 2014 psle Sci resources cannot 100% use for my 2018 psle kid.

[bsk]

Thanks for the reply… I saw quite a few books saying 2017 psle format… my older one took psle in 2016, and hence I think can’t use her books for my younger one.

[laughingcat]

actually still can use 2016 PSLE books for PSLE 2018. Just some topics are no longer relevant and the exam format is different. The questions can use for practices. Not so much about testing duration completion settings.


In terms of syllabus, MOE usually do not have drastic changes between within 5 years. So if want to use 2016 PSLE book for revision and recap on relevant topics, still can.

http://schoolplus.com.sg/psle-science-2017/

[mummyxoxo]

Didn't know our kids need to learn what are reptiles and amphibians in P3 now :yikes:

[missnicky]

Hi don't worry, there is only minor changes in the format of the examinations.


Up till 2016, the exam format was 30 MCQ questions worth 60 marks and 40 marks worth of section B questions.
Section A: 60 marks
Section B: 40 marks

However from 2017 onwards, the exam format was changed to 28 MCQ questions instead, hence only worth 56 marks.
The 4 marks is allocated to section B instead hence section B is worth a total of 44 marks.
Section A: 56 marks
Section B: 44 marks

Hence its ok to reuse the science guide books from 2016, there's literally not much changes to the content of the syllabus.

bsk:

Hi
Is the primary science syllabus changed/revised. I was using my older daughter purchased (4 years) ago for my younger one for P4.. today when I went to popular saw New syllabus....2017.. is there significant change in syllabus ? Any input is appreciated

[hannyang77]

Anyone heard of Little Medical School Singapore? Saw their programs and looked very interesting. Thought of signing my kids up. littlemedicalschool.sg

[thepiquelab]

Hey Mummies &Daddies,


My name is Mervin & I'm the co-founder of The Pique Lab.

My team and I have been reviewing some of the comments left behind by some parents in the community & I'd like to take this opportunity to answer some questions around our primary school Science programmes in an open setting.

About Our Science Programmes

moment3w3:

However, there was an occasion where my child uses their standard template and only got half the mark. Her school teacher told her that keyword is missing from the answer. I believe piquelab is still new and in the process of collating standard answers from students schools exam papers and build their experience, since none of the founders are NIE trained school teachers. I told my child to just use combine whatever points that both the school and piquelab gave. ( I am not sure about the keywords too )

I'd like to assure that our materials have undergone extensive vetting by qualified professionals from the teaching forces, including MOE/NIE trained teachers. We recognise that creating the perfect primary school Science curriculum is a continuously evolving process. Rest assured, my team and I are fully committed to provide our students with only the very best. :rahrah:

About The Right Fit

moment3w3:

There is a boy in her class that didnt pass his tests and SA 1 since he joined (the boy join for about 8 months when I asked him, joined for all the extra holiday programs like the CCI). There are also pupils who did fairly well in their exams. I think students diligence and parents help are still essential in the child's journey. Cannot totally depend on the tuition centres.

mummyxoxo:

Truly agree that 3 days are too short to create miracles. Those workshops are probably more useful for students who are slightly above average. That's why during that time, I opt for long-term tuition for my dd. More money spent definitely, but the result is more practical I feel.

In addition, we also recognise that our primary school Science programme (regular classes/ workshops) isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for all learning challenges. Our Science programmes are designed to equip students with the thought processes and answering techniques needed to tackle primary school Science examination questions. Aside from getting access to these proven techniques, we need to understand that the student also need to possess a positive learning attitude in order to do reasonably well in Science.

We have been very upfront with parents about the right fit whenever they share their child's learning challenges with us. For instance, 1 to 1 tuition have been recommended to parents who shared that their kids are highly resistant to change or unable to function well in group environments. Of course, we felt that these tutors would be better able to meet their learning needs. :imanangel:

As part of our post-programme support, students who have been through our programmes can clarify any doubts or misconceptions they have on our Parent Support Group on Facebook. We'd strongly encourage any student who have doubts to clarify with us directly, so we can personally understand the issue and ensure that the child takes away the right learning points.

For more information, you may check out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/279058918884463/

Seeking The Right Answers

mummyxoxo:

There was 2 occasions when the teacher cannot answer my child's questions on that topic that he is teaching and went to search for the internet for the answers. I found that unacceptable.

One of the greatest assets children possess is their natural inquisitiveness. That is the fashion in which they learn quickly and satiate their curiosity. As teachers, we often receive a broad range of questions that sometimes venture beyond the realms of the subject being taught.

Far be it for us as educators to dismiss the questions, we are trained to be receptive to all types of questions and where it helps, leverage on wider information sources to answer them. This could come in the form of asking a colleague, checking higher level textbook or conferring with Internet sources.

While we can't expect our tutors to be human encyclopaedias, we surely can equip them with the tools they need to help them cope with the daily demands, quickly and accurately.

For instance, on the topic on Adaptations: If a student is curious about a particular animal and we have never came across such an animal, it's our responsibility to conduct the necessary research to make sure that the facts shared with the student are accurate. Of course, we'll also go the extra mile to help the student link the facts with what is expected of them in the PSLE Science syllabus.

About Our Teaching Team & Track Record
[quote]Hello raisintan, i have replied to your post at MS. I think you should not consider Pique Lab as they are not NIE-trained leh. The centre informed 41.1% of their 2017 students scored A/A*. Research more in this forum and you can find out more. Between Pique Lab and MS, the latter is a much better choice. But do find a good teacher. Before you plunge into it, go for trial lesson to test out the teachers first.[/quote]Over the past 4 to 5 years, our students have clocked an average of 80% A/A*s in the PSLE Science examinations. Among the parent community, we're known for building rapport with our students fast and helping them to achieve tremendous improvements in their Science results in under 3 to 6 months.

Don't just take my word for it. In fact, I'd like to invite you to check out what parents have to say about our Science programmes on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ThePiqueLab/reviews/

We also have a huge collection of testimonials that we receive on a weekly basis from students who have been through our programmes. If you'd like to see them, we can share them with you as well.

I also agree that the best way to start exploring a Science programme is to attend a trial lesson or a workshop, so that your child can better assess if the Science programme (and teacher) is a right fit for his/her learning needs.

If there're any parents who need further clarifications, you can also reach me directly at [email protected] :rahrah:

Thank you & have a great week ahead!

[deardear07]

My child just joined Mindstretcher recently… and the teacher noted on my child’s worksheets a few times that he needs to ‘use specific answering techniques’ to improve on his marks even though he explained and understood what was being requested of him… keep saying ‘need to improve his Open ended techniques’ but yet I don’t see any method they teach… does anyone know of this method from MS? Do they teach the method at all?


method i mean like… answering with comparison words, results… etc…

[Estéema]

deardear07:

My child just joined Mindstretcher recently... and the teacher noted on my child's worksheets a few times that he needs to 'use specific answering techniques' to improve on his marks even though he explained and understood what was being requested of him... keep saying 'need to improve his Open ended techniques' but yet I don't see any method they teach... does anyone know of this method from MS? Do they teach the method at all?


method i mean like.. answering with comparison words, results... etc...

If u've paid Mindstretcher for Sc lessons, the centre shld engage teachers who are able to teach & explain how to apply OE techniques. Most do not know how to teach fr our past experiences even with TLL had heard one forumer mum shared her sister specialized in English was rope in to teach Sc with their set of answer keys.

I've no issue with teachers marking & pointing out key words/concept not used or processes not elaborate & observations not detail or missing steps, but teachers shld explain to their student exactly how to use those in the specific topic the child is working on. Owise, there is no value in the enrichment or tuition, whatever u call it or whichever centre the child goes to. JMHO