Dunman High School (Junior High)

[WeiHan]

EllyInTheSkies:

.


one maths graded assignment where you even need to explain with words how you derived your answer and what logical reasoning you used and tons of homework from other subjects.

I can recognise this as a feature of the TfU (Teaching for Understanding framework) way of testing students' depth of understanding. I have tried to explain this framework in RV's thread. So far, RV is the pioneering school using this framework for teaching. Cedar-VS alliance IP has also adopted this framework. It is very promising.

[Augmum]

mum_sugoku:

Alas DS will be in school the whole day (8am-5:30pm) today for his CCA (Scout).. Not sure if he would need to go back to school on Sat for CCA on regular basis..and I really hope not. Cos I notice that he's currently loaded with quite a fair amount of homeworks (maths, history, LA) + spelling (english + chen yi), with test (HCL, maths, history) coming up next week.. and such workload is likely to be the norm now.. Don't know how he's gonna cope!


Now I think about it, I also feel stressed..

Ya, i ever heard fr my gal saying that scouts need to go back sch on Sat and it is rather often.
Yes, time would be v tight if Sat is being used up for CCA, hope he would cope well......

[Augmum]

WeiHan:

EllyInTheSkies:

one maths graded assignment where you even need to explain with words how you derived your answer and what logical reasoning you used and tons of homework from other subjects.

I can recognise this as a feature of the TfU (Teaching for Understanding framework) way of testing students' depth of understanding. I have tried to explain this framework in RV's thread. So far, RV is the pioneering school using this framework for teaching. Cedar-VS alliance IP has also adopted this framework. It is very promising.

Wei han, this is not something new in DHS too.....
2 yrs ago i had already seen my gal 's maths assignments having questions,
asking for proving of how one derived his / her answers,
Also required full n clear explanation of why not able to use this or that methods of solving....etc....

[WeiHan]

Augmum:

WeiHan:

[quote=\"EllyInTheSkies\"]
one maths graded assignment where you even need to explain with words how you derived your answer and what logical reasoning you used and tons of homework from other subjects.

I can recognise this as a feature of the TfU (Teaching for Understanding framework) way of testing students' depth of understanding. I have tried to explain this framework in RV's thread. So far, RV is the pioneering school using this framework for teaching. Cedar-VS alliance IP has also adopted this framework. It is very promising.

Wei han, this is not something new in DHS too.....
2 yrs ago i had already seen my gal 's maths assignments having questions,
asking for proving of how one derived his / her answers,
Also required full n clear explanation of why not able to use this or that methods of solving....etc....[/quote]They probably call it by a different names but the methods may have similarities.

[Snow Crystal]

EllyInTheSkies:

As for my school's IP, it's horrifying. In just a few weeks I already have 2 science projects, one maths graded assignment where you even need to explain with words how you derived your answer and what logical reasoning you used and tons of homework from other subjects. Everyday it just keeps piling up. Usually we get 10+ sets of homework over the weekends. My class tried to negotiate with the teachers, but they often say that they did not violate our school's Homework Policy. I often need to finish my projects within a tight deadline and hence I usually sleep at 12 or 1am a few days in a row. Coupled with 3rd Lang, I always feel very drained at the end of the day. We also need to bring laptops on a daily basis, and it's really exhausting to carry it around.

Why is it that Dunman's Year 1 IP is so carefree, yet mine is so ridiculous? With my score of 264 I could've chosen Dunman as my first or second choice in the S1 posting exercise, unfortunately I had already been bound by Cedar's DSA. Now I kind of regret going to Cedar, because I'm really afraid I will breakdown one day.

Elly - firstly a hug from Aunty :hugs:
IPs are indeed a huge jump from primary Sch. You will take a while to adjust but soon in 1-2 mths you will be used to it.
There's definitely no slack IP. Perhaps your friend does work very fast or has light CCA, no tuition or outside activities. Perhaps her self requirement is not very high. Do bare minimum will suffice
Staying up late to finish work is quite common in IPs.
But it's unhealthy. You need to take a look at your daily schedule and determine what is cause of staying up so late.
Too much homework is definitely a possible cause.
Since non negotiation with school on this, then you have to cut down other activities to 'save' time.
You are definitely not alone. So don't regret your decision.
Cedar IP is new so the first batch may 'suffer' cos they need to right size the program, restructure after feedback at END of the each batch etc etc. The Raffles IP had teething problems when they first started and took a few batches to rightsize the program in terms of curriculum, school hours, extra activities etc etc. That's why I personally will be a bit scared of my kids entering new IPs.
But you are the pioneer batch, grit your teeth and go on. Look towards the holidays and at the end of year, you will rest and slack for ard 2 months.
By the way, normal secondary schools are also not having a cushy time - 9/10 subjects and uncertain future of a JC.... They have to work doubly hard to ace all subjects - does that make you feel better? Jiayou!! :rahrah:

[CloudeeDaz]

Snow Crystal:

Elly - firstly a hug from Aunty :hugs:

IPs are indeed a huge jump from primary Sch. You will take a while to adjust but soon in 1-2 mths you will be used to it.
There's definitely no slack IP. Perhaps your friend does work very fast or has light CCA, no tuition or outside activities. Perhaps her self requirement is not very high. Do bare minimum will suffice
Staying up late to finish work is quite common in IPs.
But it's unhealthy. You need to take a look at your daily schedule and determine what is cause of staying up so late.
Too much homework is definitely a possible cause.
Since non negotiation with school on this, then you have to cut down other activities to 'save' time.
You are definitely not alone. So don't regret your decision.
Cedar IP is new so the first batch may 'suffer' cos they need to right size the program, restructure after feedback at END of the each batch etc etc. The Raffles IP had teething problems when they first started and took a few batches to rightsize the program in terms of curriculum, school hours, extra activities etc etc. That's why I personally will be a bit scared of my kids entering new IPs.
But you are the pioneer batch, grit your teeth and go on. Look towards the holidays and at the end of year, you will rest and slack for ard 2 months.
By the way, normal secondary schools are also not having a cushy time - 9/10 subjects and uncertain future of a JC.... They have to work doubly hard to ace all subjects - does that make you feel better? Jiayou!! :rahrah:

dear snow crystal - i like your encouraging reply
let me give you a aunty to aunty hug :hugs:

[Snow Crystal]

CloudeeDaz:

dear snow crystal - i like your encouraging reply
let me give you a aunty to aunty hug :hugs:

Haha thanks Aunty :hi5:

[carebear]

Hi EllyInTheSkies, do not despair as this is a transition phase where you are adapting. Later it should become better.


My dd in Dunman High also got lots of homework.
Sometimes, she also has to stay up late till 12 MN - 1 am to complete her work. Usually she also has friends who do so, so they will communicate via sms or whatsapp or even facebook to keep their spirits up. They also consult one another if they have difficulty with their homework.

So you are not alone..... don't worry!

[cookie99]

Snow Crystal:

CloudeeDaz:

dear snow crystal - i like your encouraging reply
let me give you a aunty to aunty hug :hugs:

Haha thanks Aunty :hi5:

It is very heart warming to see snow crystal, cloudeedaz and carebear's posts :grphug:

Wishing Elly and all our kids all the best!!! :rahrah:

[Big Octopus]

EllyInTheSkies:

I'm a Sec 1 student in Cedar's IP and my best friend in primary school in now in Dunman's IP.


She tells me that Dunman is 'super slack' and their homework is at most a 'few pieces of worksheets'. She can afford to laze around at home everyday after finishing her homework. Also, she ends school way earlier than me (3.15pm!!).

As for my school's IP, it's horrifying. In just a few weeks I already have 2 science projects, one maths graded assignment where you even need to explain with words how you derived your answer and what logical reasoning you used and tons of homework from other subjects. Everyday it just keeps piling up. Usually we get 10+ sets of homework over the weekends. My class tried to negotiate with the teachers, but they often say that they did not violate our school's Homework Policy. I often need to finish my projects within a tight deadline and hence I usually sleep at 12 or 1am a few days in a row. Coupled with 3rd Lang, I always feel very drained at the end of the day. We also need to bring laptops on a daily basis, and it's really exhausting to carry it around.


Why is it that Dunman's Year 1 IP is so carefree, yet mine is so ridiculous? With my score of 264 I could've chosen Dunman as my first or second choice in the S1 posting exercise, unfortunately I had already been bound by Cedar's DSA. Now I kind of regret going to Cedar, because I'm really afraid I will breakdown one day.

Maybe you might want to clarify with your friend is she \"super slack\" or Duman High \"super slack\" ?

Don't talk about daily work, just project itself my ds need to complete 3 by this 2 days in order to submit by next week. They have also completed graded Maths and LA. Not forgetting with CCA already kick in and other class activities that he is assign to do and competition that he need to attend (briefing and preparation work). How to slack and carefree ?

EllyInTheSkies, do your best in the school you are in. Cedar's IP is also a good school. How well you want to do in the school depend on how hard you want to work for it. There is no way you can slack in any school and achieve good results. All the best!