P1 workload

[cheerysun]

SMILEY:

Luanee:

BTW how do u ppl know whether ur kids school having CA or SA? I dont even know whether mine has or not!

Were informed thru school's announcement letter.

Got to know during P1 Parents' Orientation.

[winth]

Hi caroline,


Sorry that I might be generalising on my previous statement. I hope you don’t feel offended.

It’s true that schools replace CAs with Topical tests but maybe it’s because it’s not taking into account into their final year score that parents/children don’t really prepare for them or might not feel that it’s very important?

The trend seemed true with the students that I’ve taught in the past for various levels and various schools. Even for my girlfriend, she felt the same way with her DD and said that CA could have better prepared her daughter as compared to small class tests or project work. For her DD’s school, even daily class assignments’ are regarded as part of the topical tests.

So, what happened was in her P1, she was too shocked in her SA that she left her problems sums blank. When it was time’s up, she was only halfway into her paper. Now, my friend is trying to create a stressful environment for her so that she can complete her ‘exam’ within x mins. But still… Sometimes, she still curse and swear why she went through so much to get her into a good school…

Like what buds commented, even without CA, parents can still reinforce with daily assignments to their children. It’s important to give children this responsibility of getting their daily assignments completed and knowing that they are studying for themselves, not for their parents.

[caroline3sg]

winth

no worries, I am not offended.

While it is true to some extent some parents may feel topical test are not important, it may be because they have no time. Time is spent on learning things that are outside of text, to meet the unexpected questions in SA. Meaning to say, channel time & effort towards exams that count in report book.

To handle a class of 40 students of varying capabilities / learning pace, usually homework are relatively easy and there are tonnes of such easy activity books’ homework which take up substantial time for revision / learning wider/in depth scope. And these homework can’t compare to topical test, don’t even mention exams in terms of difficulty level. So naturally, parents would be shocked to see the exam results. If the topical test or worksheets homework are almost on par with exam questions, I think lesser parents would complain.

[caroline3sg]

winth

The reason for shocked SA results is the lack of keeping on toes by parents. Having CA is just a tool for parents to be on the ball.

Another reason is the ‘playing cheat’ of teachers who set questions not taught before to sieve out the cream of crop. These cream of crop are the ones who have attended very good tuition centre like learning lab. The sch wants to identify who are these top students and then stream them into top 2 classes.

[buds]

Heyya caroline3sg,


Yes, usually in the exam papers for all subjects, there will be
like 2 or 3 questions outta context. Errmmmm like a critical
thinking question to sieve out the better students within the
level.

And winth… agree with you.
Timed environment is crucial practise to ensure our children
know how to tackle the questions accordingly. Children who
aren’t used to timed-exams may not feel the heat of completing
everything on time and tho topical tests are graded as for normal,
the intensity of the bands does not reali sink in…

I also agree with caroline3sg on the area mentioned that the CA
may pose a certain stress, esp for working parents. It also applies
to children who may not have formal kindergarten knowledge that
should’ve prepared them for Primary 1 curriculum.

It still boils back down to the point that children should preferably be
prepared prior to joining the P1 cohort year. For example, children
who are still not able to read and write effectively by mid K2, think
they can be prepared when their time comes?

Children will not know how to make the preparation themselves or
have a certain study timetable to ensure they get a bit of everything
including play-break, thus it is the onus of the parents to ensure these
necessary measures are in place at least 2 years before the child
enters P1. This in turn will not result in undue stress to the child nor
to the parents, with or without the implementation of CA in the school
they are to attend…

[allseasons]

What is CA and SA? :?

[jedamum]

allseasons:

What is CA and SA? :?

Continual Assessment (Usually test in Feb and Aug)
Semestral Assessment (What we know as 'Mid/End of Year Exams', usually in Apr and Oct)

[allseasons]

Many thanks Jedamum!!! So now i can follow this thread... :celebrate:

[Observer]

Different school of thoughts..


Somewhere I read, that one of the proposal forwarded to MOE Primary education restructuring committee is ALL exams should be abolished in primary 1. Instead the children should be weighed by regular class works, topical tests, assignments of varying grades of difficulty etc.

Personally I feel, one year end exam is sufficient for P1 and 2. My first son's school in P1 have SA1 and SA2. From P2 onwards have all CA1,2, SA1, 2. My last son's school have SA2 only for P1. The kids will be evaluated by topical tests, class works etc. We were informed of this in Orientation session.

For my case, it gives more freedom for my son in learning without exam fear or pressure. On our part, we have to make them understand and do the homeworks, check their progress from form teacher, verify their knowledge gained using their own books, build up basic grammar in English and MT, concept based learning in Maths. All this has to be done in fun filled environment. If we don't follow-up with them, we may be shell shocked when they come out with SA2 results.

My 2.14 cents (including GST)

[caroline3sg]

Many, if not all project work, assignments are all parents’ work. They do not reflect the true grade of the children. Such parents’ effort/work can still be seen in mid pri.