jesschan:

8228:

According to my ds, his teacher strongly discourages algebra.

Yes, I understand that if they use algebra, the marker may not award marks for working if the answer is wrong. But I was just thinking that it is a useful tool for the kid to use algebra in MCQ questions and for checking.

Jess I cannot agree more with you on the use of algebra. However, I can perfectly understand why a teacher may not encourage algebra. Parents do note that sometimes advice like that is taken out of context and does not hold true for all students. Some of the reasons why it may hold true;

1) It is too late down the line that a student decides that it is time to focus on the algebra mtd.
2) The student has poor grasp of the other heuristic methods
3) The student has poor comprehension skills; Student does not understand what the question is asking. This occurs too frequently and it is a pure shame especially when there are simple ways to overcome it.

I notice that some of you are are truly lost on how to aid your child in preparing for their PSLE exams. Hopefully some of what I have to share with you down the road will be of use to you and your child. My focus will be on PSLE math.

To kick off.... stop worrying. No matter what grade your child gets for his/her P5 exam, don't worry. There is time. Most, not all (I'll get to that at another time), students can improve tremendously if set on the right path early. Start as soon as you feel that your child has adequately rested from the exams. Not in January, not in February but at the latest Dec.

And a quote from Stephen R. Covey to accentuate the importance of starting early....... “Did you ever consider how ridiculous it would be to try to cram on a farm -- to forget to plant in the spring, play all summer and then cram in the fall to bring in the harvest? The farm is a natural system. The price must be paid and the process followed. You always reap what you sow; there is no shortcut.”

Till next time......

concern_mum:

HI, how to add 1+3+5+7+9+....................99

Sequence : 1 + 3 + 5 …..49 + 51…….95 + 97 + 99

Add directly opposite numbers,
1 + 99 = 100
3 + 97 = 100
5 + 95 = 100
.
.
.
49 + 51 = 100

1 to 100 has a total of 100 numbers; 50 pairs
1 to 100 has a total of 50 odd numbers; 25 pairs

Thus total sum of sequence (1+3+5+7+9+....................99) = 100 x 25 = 2500

At ‘O’ lvls it is almost never the subj that makes the difference. It is usually the way the subject is learnt. Being exam smart and tailoring the way you study each individual subject will outperform someone who just keeps hitting the books without a plan.

As a tutor, I can honestly tell you that the first initiative comes from parents. Usually when parents are actively involved, children have a higher tendency to do better. Tuition is not meant to replace parental guidance. I have taught students whose parents had absolutely no knowledge that their child,who was already 11, was mildly autistic. So naturally it was a shock to them when I pointed out that their child was slightly different. Don’t leave it to the tutor who spends 2hrs a week with your child tell you about your child. Parental guidance and tutoring should work in tandem with one another.