It is important to know why there is lack of motivation. (a) For some it is because they cannot do some subject well. If they are good at something, they want to do it more. If they find it difficult, they give up. One way is to be selective with assessments questions, going for questions that are easy, and gradually increase the diffculty level. (b) For others, it might be because his friends don’t study. It is not cool to study. Too little pressure from parents (d) Too much pressure from parents (e) etc.


I also suggest reading the book "PSLE Survival Guide for the Family". It is about a mischievous (a not really motivated) kid taking PSLE. It uses very simple English. Try reading it as a family. This is much cheaper than those motivational camps. Being a book, you can read it several times over several months. Perhaps, this can bring a sustained impact with little cost.

The Alternative Story:

Hi vksp,


Provided that the child writes consistently well throughout the composition and the storyline is well-developed, a story like that would get about 17 to 18 over 20 (primary 3/4), if it is over 40 (primary 5/6), the child can get about 35 to 38.

TAS (The Alternative Story)

Regarding the text you provided, why wouldn't it be a 20 upon 20? or 40 upon 40? given that the rest of the story is well developed. What else is missing? We are not talking about the Nobel Prize for Literature or Olympic gymnastics or Singapore Idol where judges would protect their dignity, or guard against any political reprisal. This is just PSLE - a very \"standard\" assessment - Not A level General Paper, not even 'O' level.

The Alternative Story:

Hi vksp,

Wisps of white smoke began curling from underneath the bedroom door (problem). I stared dumbfounded at the smoke. It could only mean one thing- a fire. (reaction) By now, the smoke was getting worse, bringing visibility to almost zero. (problem escalates) Choking on the acrid smoke, I stumbled in the gloom. Fear, raw and intense, surged through me. I had to get out. I had to. (reaction)....

TAS (The Alternative Story)

Upon 20, how many marks would what you wrote get - given that it is not out of point.

My son reads a number of novels. But his writing skills is not good. The ideas jump about and he could not keep a straight line. Instead of developing the main story, he brings in distracting sidekicks. There is also no lack of selling and grammar mistakes.


The impact of the problem does not stop here. It affects his Science - by not being able to consistently putting forth a good argument. In his oral, he could not give a logical like of thought. This also affects Chinese too. Perhaps, I am exaggerating the problem a little, but being able to keep a straight line is important. Perhaps more important than the flowery vocabulary - or "Good Phrases and Good Sentences"- as the chinese teachers would say.

So, there must be a logical sequence of importance. I can definitely develop my criteria. But if the criteria are supported by teachers, and MOE, or in general by people, perhaps I would be able to persuade my son.

Since the end of P4 I have been telling him. Nothing has changed now that he is beginning P6. So, this needs to be fixed.

I see an accepted criteria list as key.

Hi,


Is there a systematic approach to improving at PSLE oral exam? Of course, the student needs to read aloud often, etc. But is there a step-by-step approach?

Thanks

If it is kept confidential by teachers - how about tuition centres? The checklist would be a good way to diagnose pogress and put a weightage on problem areas - rather than just a grade.


Does your tuition centre have suh a list?

autumnbronze:

Yes, correct. The marking scheme is restricted. And I second ameryeducation's 2nd para. And no offence, trying to write based on the knowledge of the marking scheme is not a good start towards your sec sch education. At this point, I can only suggest that you need to ensure that you have a sound grasp of your grammar and vocab.


Anyway, along the way, during the EL lessons, your teacher is bound to highlight/provide good and not so good model essays as part and parcel of teaching essay writing skills.

Just take note of your teacher's comments in you work and ensure that you clarify if you have any doubts.

My 2 cents worth .... go for your EL lessons with a clear mind, pay v close attention in class, absorb what you have learnt and apply the skills/comments taught/given

All the best ...

Given that teachers already know these criteria, there must be a systematic path for someone to grow accordingly. For example, if a student has nice vocabulary, but have some issues with tenses - what area should he focus.

Some students might be trying to work on their storyline - how to start and how to end, but their sentence structure is weak. Then, what is the advice to them? Should they focused on improving their sentence structure first followed by improving the starting and ending. Ideally, one can improve both at the same time. However, the range of possible sentence structures is large, and having a good introduction is also not easy. For those who are already good at composition, the criteria are not an issue. FOr those weaker ones, some systematic path would be useful.

ameryeducation:

As far as I am aware, there is a marking scheme, but it is \"supposed\" to be kept confidential by teachers. It is band-based marking with characteristics per band, with discretion given to teachers to award marks as they deem fit within each band. Due to its \"restricted\" nature, it is not available publicly.


But then again, I don't think students should learn writing based on knowledge of the marking scheme. Good writing is good writing, and any decent teacher will be able to differentiate good from bad.

It is about being aware of the mistakes which one can make, and about incremental steps to improve. A poor student cannot dream about improving quickly. Something step by step is necessary.

Hi,


Is there an Chinese composition marking scheme that lists what are the checkpoints to achieve certain marks - or perhaps a range of samples with their grades - to allow us to distinguish between a poor one from a good one, or from a good one to an even better one.

Cheers

Hi,


Is there an English composition marking scheme that lists what are the checkpoints to achieve certain marks - or perhaps a range of samples with their grades - to allow us to distinguish between a poor one from a good one, or from a good one to an even better one.

Cheers