lee_yl\" post_id=\"1939856\" time=\"1570207119\" user_id=\"17023:

Yes, 2017 maths paper was indeed a tough one. So you are an experienced PSLE parent and you agree that no tuition / no MO / no GEP can earn an A* for a tough maths paper?

Did your DC2 suffer a panic attack? Sometimes when kids panic, and time seems to ticking away, they can suddenly “blank out”. We have to accept that even if DC1 is capable of getting A* for math, it doesn’t mean that DC2 will automatically get an A* too.

No choice, we still need an objective score for secondary school selection. Unless you have a better suggestion, else we still need to take PSLE exam.

Hmm, I am bemused at how u derive that I hv a DC2 doing PSLE this year. :scratchhead:

Removing PSLE is not my point either. If u care to read properly, levelling the playing fields and remove the all-stakes notion is.

I brought up the point on my son's Maths in 2017 to show that my concern is objective, not swayed by by own child's ability or inability to do the qns. As an educator myself, I feel the struggles on the ground.

My arguments are directed at the relevance of the qns to our Pri school syllabus. Which topic does the semi circle qn fall under? The triangle type of qn (and any related past qns in school pp or assessment bks) is an over extension of Patterns. If these are critical skills, then the govt schools must train the kids and dedicate topics on it. Then, by all means, set higher order qns on these topics.

Look at how some of the parents here put all-stakes effort in trying to help their kids level up in spite of school's effort and tuition... Parents scouring Internet, Assessmt bks, past year papers to address qns not addressed in the schools, take leave, quit jobs due to PSLE etc. These kids are fortunate hv such parents, but not all kids are that lucky. Where is the level playing field?

Most parents don't go to such extent for O or A lvls. Is it they see they can't help much at that lvl, or they hv left it to the schools or tuition? Or simply because they know their 16 yr olds are equipped to handle? Why can't this be the attitude for psle? Because some PSLE qns are beyond scope? Because our 12 Yr old are not able to handle the psle rigour? That's why parents rushed in to fill the gaps for them. It's a never-ending struggle n over-commitment for parents(shouldn't it be the students?) if these are not addressed.

lee_yl\" post_id=\"1939852\" time=\"1570204132\" user_id=\"17023:

I have a feeling that those parents who are very vocal are hoping MOE can do a review of the maths paper. Maybe their kids have not done as well as expected and the parents and now jumping up and down like a jumping jac (just kidding).

Yes, the paper may be tough but is it so hard until every question can’t be solved? So far I have asked a few parents, all their kids did reasonably well, and felt that the paper was tough but manageable.

Btw, previous PSLE papers are sold at $1 each at school bookshop, not very expensive. And what Dylanmummy2003 said is very true. So long one has practised enough past year papers, one should be able to do well. The paper is quite standard, we know there’s sure to have one question on speed, one question on circle, maybe one heuristics question, one on surface area or volume will surely appear in the paper.

It is inevitable that parents with kids who can solve those qns see such comments like mine as narrow minded, petty or Chinese saying as 输不起. The truth is, my son did his psle in 2017 (also deemed as a tough year by many) , no tuition or MO or GEP (any other tags I missed? ) , can handle the so-called IQ or MO tough qns, and earned A* for his Maths. I am an educator myself and I speak objectively, for the good of the children's foundation years.

By past year papers, I mean the schools past year papers not only the PSLE ones.

And no, there is no need to hope for review of paper as the bell curve(ah, the beauty of it) will address it.

See this issue objectively, as building primary maths foundation and life long interest in it, then only can you see our side of arguments. Focus is to BUILD it, not just test it.

O_O_Dad\" post_id=\"1939834\" time=\"1570195041\" user_id=\"61178:

Are children prepared to handle the stress from taking high-stakes examinations such as PSLE? If not, what should be done? Hopefully my stories give you some answers. In particularly, I believe you will be inspired by a teacher’s effort to help her student cope better.
https://livetill100.blog/2019/10/04/076-how-to-prepare-children-for-unexpected-psle-results/

The crux of the matter on hand, is that everyone treats the PSLE as a high stakes exam, coupled with the finely differentiated cut off points to the prestigious schools, whose names we know will be a trophy for life for our kids from their admission to top unis to employment with the best employers.. Basically PSLE is seen as the first major key to a 'good' life to many.

That's why it is no wonder, that parents and teachers now have to form a formidable support network to cushion and uphold the kids morale, esteem and what hv u.

Indeed, resilience is to be nurtured from young, but it has to be an ever-ongoing process and a journey for life, not a big bang approach at the early stages.

It's the social and education system tussle that needs to be addressed - Make PSLE an all-stakes exam, and you need to put in all stakes to support the kids psychologically to avoid its repercussions to adulthood.

entei17\" post_id=\"1939792\" time=\"1570178140\" user_id=\"162440:

I think your solution is still overly complicated. There is no need to shift the semi-circles nor visualize anything. The solution is just 3 lines, does not involve algebra and easier than model method:
Top=Bottom
3D + 12 + 12 = 2D +22 + 22 +16
D = 36

As for the triangle question part (c), the suggested solution by one of the tutor is overly complicated too, and he is a tutor! Primary school maths and national exams do not need rocket science to solve, to a certain extent,it extends to math olympiad questions too. So one additional heuristic should be added to the top of your tools, and that's the maxim \"PSLE question is meant to be easy, there has to be a shortcut somewhere.\"

The solution for the triangle question part (c) is:
Note that the difference between the white and grey triangles are 1, -2, 3, -4, 5, -6,....., 249, -250
So there are 250 more grey triangles than white triangles
So there are (62500-250) / 2 = 31125 white triangles
31125+250=31375 grey triangles

But even though the questions do not need elaborate solutions, it does not mean they are easy to comprehend and frame a solution, especially when most PSLE students would not have exposure to these question styles. This put an unfair advantage to GEP, E2K students and MO trained students who have gotten exposure to these question types. There is also an element of luck in being able to find the key to the above solution. Under exam stress and time constraint, sometimes you just can't 'see' it.

MOE promulgate the belief that all schools are good schools. I agree, but I also believe that some schools are better. The better schools would be able to better prepare/expose the students for these questions. The field is not even, and toughening the PSLE would make the field even more uneven. This totally run contrary to MOE's new mission to de-stress the educational system. The trend of tougher questions simply pushes parents to seek more help to tackle them, math olympiad classes will get more business and less well off students get left behind. OYK was still asking parents not to send their kids to tuition centres when they scrap some of the exams? The change to the AL system is supposedly for students to be graded based on their individual performance and they will no longer be as finely differentiated. If you are setting a tough question that almost every student has not seen before, then fine. But if some have better exposure, then they are definitely well differentiated.

But your solution is algebra and Pri algebra syllabus only involves algebra representation, and not solving the equation.

Agree that qn like this does not level the playing field for the 12 Yr olds. By all means, the govt can do screening tests i.e. GEP, DSA, to sieve out the high IQs, but not in a National Exam. Or rather is the MOE not equipping the schools adequately or some schools 'not doing their job' such that we hv such diverse reactions from the students. Are we leaving the job to the 'past year papers' or expensive assessment books? Not all families can afford to buy or know that they hv to get n drill through these. Some may not even hv the time to do so many. Many schools hv in fact given mountain loads of worksheets to drill the kids.

How is it that we do not hear such complaints from secondary schools when it comes to O lvl maths? Having gone thru O lvls ourselves, we know that the qns set, though some are v difficult, are according to syllabus and I don't hv the feeling of being 'screened' with certain 'IQ' qns. And the 12 Yr olds hv to go through this?

If indeed the MOE wants to instill spatial visual intelligence, then the standard curriculum must reflect that, else leave it to the GEP and DSA to drive and screen these abilities.

I believe I am not the only one, but can already sense many parents of the next PSLE batch scouring for tuition or Assessmt books on such qns. I hope it is not done at the expense of other maths topics which are really the heart and foundation of primary maths.

Iluvmygals\" post_id=\"1939672\" time=\"1570115299\" user_id=\"26453:

I think the solutions by the tuition centers over complicate the questions.

Just need to focus on the 2 semi circles by the side you will see the length. Don't need algebra, don't need shift the semi circles here and there.....simple circle properties will do.


https://postimg.cc/bZpQGXVK

Totally agree, the solutions presented so far are too complex. Don't use algebra or units & parts to confuse the kid. In fact, this qn does not involve any properties of circle either. You just need to see that the overlapping parts are of the same length then you can use logic to derive the other parts. Pls see my pic and logic here.

1. The green line shows the part where the 2 semicircles overlap: they are of the same length on each of the semicircle.
2. Hence, the orange lines must be the same length (i.e. 22cm) as the semicircles are identical.
3. Thus, you can derive the purple part as 22-12=10

Do the same for the other side (highlighted in pink) then you can add them to get 10 +16+10=36

Hence the working can be done in just 2 or 3 lines.

https://postimg.cc/TKbsrNmV

leeandlow:

So max deduction is 4 points? If choose SAJC which is affiliated can still deduct another 2 points?

Max is 4 points.
Btw, how did AHS do in o levels this time? P said very good but any one has the stats?

leeandlow:

I feel they should make it compulsory for all students to take HCL otherwise it depict the purpose of being a SAP school. For those that cannot make the mark later on, can still drop to normal Chinese. If they didn't offer it to all students, those who can actually score in HCL won't even have the chance to prove it. If the student did well in Sec 1 normal Chinese, will he or she be offered HCL in Sec 2?

Nevertheless, it is still beneficial for the CL students in AHS as they get to study chinese history & chinese lit plus immerse in chinese culture like tea appreciation, calligraphy etc , which i believe cannot be found in nonSAP schools.

Supercat:

jumpingjacks:

Hi, my DS in Sec1K...he is taking HCL. May I know if the classes sorted by PSLE scores? DS said there are many more girls than boys in his class (around 10 boys, 25 girls)

Hi, my DS in 1K too Do you know is there any parents' group chat for this class?

Hi, i know the class students has alreadt formed their own watsapp grp. For the parents, there shld be a watsapp grp soon as the parent supp grp has nominated 3 parents to be in charge. Actually i prefer not to join the watsapp grp, but my child to update me himself, as he shld learn to be indept and mindful, without my interference.

leeandlow:

I feel they should make it compulsory for all students to take HCL otherwise it depict the purpose of being a SAP school. For those that cannot make the mark later on, can still drop to normal Chinese. If they didn't offer it to all students, those who can actually score in HCL won't even have the chance to prove it. If the student did well in Sec 1 normal Chinese, will he or she be offered HCL in Sec 2?

I think I have read somewhere which suggests that in AHS, if a student performs well for CL in sec1, he or she may take up HCL in sec2. Perhaps you can give AHS a call & enquire or try to appeal

leeandlow:

Hi my DD in 1E, taking normal Chinese. May I ask those parents with children taking HCL, does your child took HCL in Psle? Initially I thought it is compulsory to take HCL like in CHUNG CHENG HIGH Main but is not the case here. My DD wasn't offered HCL. I'm wondering why. Anyone can enlighten?

Hi, my son took HCL in psle & now doing HCL in AHS. The psle result slip says only the top 10% psle scorers or if your child is in 11% to 30%, with at least a merit in HCL, then the child will be offered HCL in sec sch