English Assessment Books

Reply to English Assessment Books on Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:44:47 GMT

Zeal mummy — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:44:47 GMT

mummy0502\" post_id=\"2094481\" time=\"1673157561\" user_id=\"138968:

Dear Parents,

Any recommendations for Pri 3 assessment book please?

We have used EPH and Marshall Cavendish Grammar assessment books. At P3, they read more (mostly novels/fiction) than they do the books though.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Sun, 08 Jan 2023 06:21:11 GMT

SG_KP1 — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 06:21:11 GMT

mummy0502\" post_id=\"2094481\" time=\"1673157561\" user_id=\"138968:

Dear Parents,

Any recommendations for Pri 3 assessment book please?

Hi. I think the key for English is to understand what subcomponents of the (Full) Exam paper the student needs practice with. This will help with efficiency / not waste time doing things one is already competent in.

For Paper 2, I've found the following helpful:
a) Marshall Cavendish Grammar and Vocab \"Explained!\" books are not too bad.

b) I think Editing and Comprehension Cloze practice help a lot with spelling new words and vocab. I believe there is a P3-P4 version of these in the stores but I cannot see online (at least before there was also a P5-P6 Comprehension Cloze book as well).
https://www.openschoolbag.com.sg/product/100-english-worksheets-primary-5-6-editing

c) For S&T, the following book was OK for P5-P6. However, I don't think there is a middle primary version, and I recall many books for S&T were not very good.
https://www.openschoolbag.com.sg/product/psle-synthesis-transformation

You can also use the prior year papers, although sometimes the answer key is hit or miss. I.e. for Comprehension Open Ended, I think letting the student learn from what the teacher has to say (answer type, corrections, etc) may be better.

Last thing I will recommend is reading a wide variety of materials. In addition to fiction, try to get kids to read other stuff like news/current events, history/social studies, science, etc. Their range of vocab will shoot up tremendously. I've noticed that some kids do very well or not so well on editing and comprehension cloze in the P5-P6-PSLE format depending on whether the exact passage is something they have read a lot about. I.e. a dialogue between two people will be easy for the heavy fiction readers but they may get clobbered on something like birth/life of pandas, online safety, etc.

Good luck! See if any others have comments.

Edit: apologies but I cannot recall exactly how the exam format changes from P3-P4 to P5-P6.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Sun, 08 Jan 2023 05:59:21 GMT

mummy0502 — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 05:59:21 GMT

Dear Parents,

Any recommendations for Pri 3 assessment book please?

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:38:32 GMT

pokoyoko — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:38:32 GMT

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2077257\" time=\"1659582842\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2077257 time=1659582842 user_id=53606]
I used this one, which is also applicable for P6. U can see the range of acceptable answers…

https://i.imgur.com/xQVcuEI.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/hNedYBs.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/rLQQP5O.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/dFcNwov.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/8Dbvdlm.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/WPoKiZ9.jpg\">[/quote]

Thank you thank you thank you. This helps..!!!!

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 04:51:19 GMT

sharonkhoo — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 04:51:19 GMT

pokoyoko\" post_id=\"2077252\" time=\"1659581536\" user_id=\"122014:

...But still confusing when different people try to say their way is the \"right\" one...

Unfortunately, there will always be some people who like to distill everything into \"one right answer\". Even Maths and Science allows some wiggle room in the way open-ended questions are answered (although not the final numerical answer, of course), and this is even more true for languages. For ease of revision for exam purposes, I would just settle for what the school recommends (unless you disagree), but it's good to let your child know that there are several ways that are acceptable.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 03:14:02 GMT

zac's mum — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 03:14:02 GMT

I used this one, which is also applicable for P6. U can see the range of acceptable answers…

https://i.imgur.com/xQVcuEI.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/hNedYBs.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/rLQQP5O.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/dFcNwov.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/8Dbvdlm.jpg\">
https://i.imgur.com/WPoKiZ9.jpg\">

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:52:16 GMT

pokoyoko — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:52:16 GMT

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2077250\" time=\"1659580415\" user_id=\"28674:

If there are differences in the books, it means that there is a range that is acceptable, not just 1 fixed format. I would say just ask your child to follow what the school recommends. And if you have burning questions, ask your child to check with his/her teacher.

Yes, already did that. I also think that they are acceptable. But still confusing when different people try to say their way is the \"right\" one... You can see my reply above for some headaches.

I have only relied on school notes for now. That is why I am looking for a book if anyone has a comprehensive one to recommend...

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:33:35 GMT

sharonkhoo — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:33:35 GMT

pokoyoko\" post_id=\"2077242\" time=\"1659578053\" user_id=\"122014:

Anyone has recommendations on situational writing books? Quite confused by the different opinions on formatting and details to be included...

If there are differences in the books, it means that there is a range that is acceptable, not just 1 fixed format. I would say just ask your child to follow what the school recommends. And if you have burning questions, ask your child to check with his/her teacher.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:30:39 GMT

pokoyoko — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:30:39 GMT

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2077246\" time=\"1659579267\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2077246 time=1659579267 user_id=53606]
Are there different opinions? I thought the template is quite standard for both. Only 2 types: informal and formal.[/quote]

Thanks zac's mum... Just to list a few...
- Whether or not to include a sender email address for emails, even when it's not included in the question?
- For formal letters, have to include title? Eg. To the manager of the bookstore... We were taught to go straight to \"Dear sir/madam\"?
- Still use sincerely / faithfully to end the writing? Or cheers for informal / regards for formal?

:? Help! In my personal opinion... If it is not wrong it should not be marked down? But we are kiasuparents... :?

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:14:27 GMT

zac's mum — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:14:27 GMT

pokoyoko\" post_id=\"2077242\" time=\"1659578053\" user_id=\"122014:

Anyone has recommendations on situational writing books? Quite confused by the different opinions on formatting and details to be included...

Are there different opinions? I thought the template is quite standard for both. Only 2 types: informal and formal.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 04 Aug 2022 01:54:13 GMT

pokoyoko — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 01:54:13 GMT

Anyone has recommendations on situational writing books? Quite confused by the different opinions on formatting and details to be included…

Reply to English Assessment Books on Tue, 19 Jul 2022 00:02:35 GMT

Zeal mummy — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 00:02:35 GMT

tracychew\" post_id=\"2074621\" time=\"1657874528\" user_id=\"143434:

All the best, Zeal mummy!!!! I saw some on carousell.. but I don't know if that is considered \"cheating\" to some children haha..

Thanks! So glad to have you here in the forum, brightens up my day! I will continue to let them read and borrow more books.. in hope they love reading more than collecting cards! Haha.

Have a great day ahead!

Reply to English Assessment Books on Fri, 15 Jul 2022 08:42:08 GMT

tracychew — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 08:42:08 GMT

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2074410\" time=\"1657790751\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2074410 time=1657790751 user_id=58173]
Yes there’s so many to collect, on set 4 now. We are still missing some.. but persevering! My kid says cannot give up.[/quote]

All the best, Zeal mummy!!!! I saw some on carousell.. but I don't know if that is considered \"cheating\" to some children haha..

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:25:51 GMT

Zeal mummy — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:25:51 GMT

tracychew\" post_id=\"2073616\" time=\"1657205030\" user_id=\"143434:

Did yours manage to collect the full set? After the first series... too many!!!

Yes there’s so many to collect, on set 4 now. We are still missing some.. but persevering! My kid says cannot give up.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 07 Jul 2022 14:43:50 GMT

tracychew — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 14:43:50 GMT

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2072707\" time=\"1656650650\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2072707 time=1656650650 user_id=58173]
Oh.., There’s a book bugs program in the library whereby the children can get a set of cards for borrowing books. 4 books borrowed to redeem 1 card. My girls love it! Hope your kids love reading too![/quote]

Did yours manage to collect the full set? After the first series... too many!!!

Reply to English Assessment Books on Fri, 01 Jul 2022 05:42:35 GMT

phtthp — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 05:42:35 GMT

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2064129\" time=\"1649680744\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2064129 time=1649680744 user_id=58173]
Let her read lots of books, buy some, borrow some. The library is a fantastic place to start! I’ll skip the assessment books since there’s no exams![/quote]

Yes, fully agree.

National library have a lot of good books. By bringing a young child to library often, it gradually cultivate a habit in young children, develop in them a love for reading. This is wise, instead of letting young kids watch online video game, from their handphone.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Fri, 01 Jul 2022 04:44:10 GMT

Zeal mummy — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 04:44:10 GMT

tracychew\" post_id=\"2072643\" time=\"1656596402\" user_id=\"143434:

I agree.. The library is a great place to start!!

Oh.., There’s a book bugs program in the library whereby the children can get a set of cards for borrowing books. 4 books borrowed to redeem 1 card. My girls love it! Hope your kids love reading too!

Reply to English Assessment Books on Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:40:02 GMT

tracychew — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:40:02 GMT

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2064129\" time=\"1649680744\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2064129 time=1649680744 user_id=58173]
Let her read lots of books, buy some, borrow some. The library is a fantastic place to start! I’ll skip the assessment books since there’s no exams![/quote]

I agree.. The library is a great place to start!!

Reply to English Assessment Books on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:39:04 GMT

Zeal mummy — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:39:04 GMT

Vicky2016\" post_id=\"2064080\" time=\"1649644058\" user_id=\"176407:

Hello! 🙂
I am looking for English assesment book for p1. There are so many components and can someone please guide which ones are worth buying as there are so many in the market. I cant afford to put her in enrichment centre. Hence ,would appreciate if someone could advice. Thanks. 🙂

Let her read lots of books, buy some, borrow some. The library is a fantastic place to start! I’ll skip the assessment books since there’s no exams!

Reply to English Assessment Books on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 11:00:31 GMT

4eva — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 11:00:31 GMT

Vicky2016\" post_id=\"2064080\" time=\"1649644058\" user_id=\"176407:

Hello! 🙂
I am looking for English assesment book for p1. There are so many components and can someone please guide which ones are worth buying as there are so many in the market. I cant afford to put her in enrichment centre. Hence ,would appreciate if someone could advice. Thanks. 🙂

P1 only, no exams 吧. Find some books that he likes, like Dork Diaries or Detective books. Or watch Harry Potter then read the books from library. Do u all speak English at home, or mainly Chinese? Speak English until his listening and speaking improve lor.

Word lists no use one for small kids. Only for big kids preparing SATs.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:14:42 GMT

SG_KP1 — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:14:42 GMT

Vicky2016\" post_id=\"2064080\" time=\"1649644058\" user_id=\"176407:

Hello! 🙂
I am looking for English assesment book for p1. There are so many components and can someone please guide which ones are worth buying as there are so many in the market. I cant afford to put her in enrichment centre. Hence ,would appreciate if someone could advice. Thanks. 🙂

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2064099\" time=\"1649660930\" user_id=\"28674:
My kids are grown up now, but I saw this question and just want to give my thoughts. For young kids, the emphasis should be on whole language development rather than focusing on \"components\". Let the school worry about components, and since there are no exams, specific question types don't matter at this stage. There are a few major things in language - listening, speaking , reading, writing. Just do a whole lot of different activities that expose the child to all these areas, and make sure he understands and can use language. Working on specifics can come later.

Popular has lots of different types of books, but choose those which are interesting to the child. It's not strictly necessary, but some kids actually like filling in worksheets and doing \"book\" work - at least mine did! Maybe because I didn't give them many to do - just a couple of pages now and again.

Hi. I will echo some of slmkhoo's comments that if your child is K2 or P1, I'm not sure assessment books with all components are necessarily needed at this stage. A lot of reading will go a long way in developing a child's language skills at this age.

I would also say that even though there are no exams in P1-P2, if you pay close attention to the various worksheets or FAs the school does, you will be able to see where the child is doing well and where they may need a bit more practice. The thing with practice is to try figure out why they don't understand and then find a way to explain it to them (or find someone that can). IMO, a lot of times we can default to buying an assessment book for everything (or sending tuition for every subject) as a precaution to \"not miss anything.\" While this can work and in some ways it is simply \"forced revision,\" it is also extremely inefficient if the child is spending time on things they already know quite well. When they are young they tend to have more time (relatively speaking) so this may not be a huge constraint but I'm not sure it is the best operating procedure for the long-run.

As for assessment books, I think the English books vary a lot in quality (both layout and explanations). Generally, I think the MC (Marshall Cavendish) or EPH (Educational Publishing House) books are usually at least half-decent and often times pretty good. But again it also somewhat depends on whether the child simply needs a bit more practice or also needs explanations as to why the answer is this or that (if only need practice, can try some of the free prior year papers as well).

Good luck!

Reply to English Assessment Books on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:08:50 GMT

sharonkhoo — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:08:50 GMT

Vicky2016\" post_id=\"2064090\" time=\"1649651594\" user_id=\"176407:

:congrats:

Hi!
Thank you for the reply.
Does it cover all the ccomponents as well? Tia

My kids are grown up now, but I saw this question and just want to give my thoughts. For young kids, the emphasis should be on whole language development rather than focusing on \"components\". Let the school worry about components, and since there are no exams, specific question types don't matter at this stage. There are a few major things in language - listening, speaking , reading, writing. Just do a whole lot of different activities that expose the child to all these areas, and make sure he understands and can use language. Working on specifics can come later.

Popular has lots of different types of books, but choose those which are interesting to the child. It's not strictly necessary, but some kids actually like filling in worksheets and doing \"book\" work - at least mine did! Maybe because I didn't give them many to do - just a couple of pages now and again.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:42:20 GMT

Tookies — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:42:20 GMT

Vicky2016\" post_id=\"2064090\" time=\"1649651594\" user_id=\"176407:

:congrats:

Hi!
Thank you for the reply.
Does it cover all the ccomponents as well? Tia

There is no exam for p1, so I don’t what does all components include. Plus my kids r not p1 now so I can’t recall entirely those components in the book.

Suggest you to go popular to have a look if it includes the components you have in mind.

Reply to English Assessment Books on Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:33:14 GMT

Vicky2016 — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:33:14 GMT

:congrats:

Tookies\" post_id=\"2064084\" time=\"1649649007\" user_id=\"124548:

Personally my kids and I like the thick book “Daily Dose of English”. The font is big, and it has different components coverage. So they find it less boring.

Hi!
Thank you for the reply.
Does it cover all the ccomponents as well? Tia