<![CDATA[P2 Math - General Discussion]]>Moderator's Note: Please use this thread to ask for help on specific questions. Please refrain from out of topic chatter in this thread to make it easier for the community to find the answers they need.


Interesting articles which originated from a reader in the Chinese daily about Maths questions for P1.(click on the links to see the questions)

http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080412-59460.html
How far should schools push students?
Adding, subtracting and multiplying are seemingly not good enough for primary one students anymore. One school has given its seven-year-olds algebra exam questions allegedly meant for higher level kids. -AsiaOne Education

Mon, Apr 14, 2008
AsiaOne
How much mathematics do primary one students have to know?
Adding, subtracting and multiplying - the typical maths curriculum taught to these seven-year-olds - are seemingly not enough, at least for one school.
According to Lianhe Wanbao, a parent had wrote in to the morning version of the Chinese daily about several of Pei Chun Public School's maths questions (see example below) from a mid-year exam held two years ago.
He reportedly felt that the problems given in the exam were too difficult for primary one students.
The parent told the the Chinese daily that algebra was only taught to Secondary two or three students during his schooldays.
\"Taking into account the mentality and inference abilities of these seven-year-olds, besides making wild guesses, how else can they handle (these difficult questions)?\", asked the parent.
The same parent also said that such maths problems will bring frustration to both the children and their parents, continued the report from Lianhe Wanbao.
He expressed that parents who are afraid to lose out will invariably go all out to sign their kids up for more tuition, thus causing their children to suffer.

http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080412-59461.html
School's response
Pei Chun Public School explains why \"hard\" algebra sums were given as exam questions to primary one students. -AsiaOne

Mon, Apr 14, 2008
AsiaOne
According to Pei Chun Public School, the questions were not beyond the primary one students' understanding ability.
When questioned by Lianhe Wanbao, the primary school said that the maths problems highlighted by a parent in the previous report were indeed similar to its past exam questions.
The school's Head of Department (HOD) for Mathematics said that the study of mathematics should not only stick to the stipulated curriculum, but should also train a student's inference ability. As such, it was difficult to pinpoint which chapter or section of the curriculum the problems were testing.
\"This question (see graphic below) tests simple mathematical reasoning,\" he told the Chinese Daily.
Although students only learn algebra in primary six, primary one students can also solve the problem if they understand what they have learnt in their daily maths lessons and have a keen mathematical ability, he continued.
Exams are structured neither to bring down a student's confidence nor to allow all students to get a 100 per cent score, said the HOD.
Every school will set questions with different levels of difficulty with the aim of differentiating students of varying abilities, he added.


http://www.omy.sg/news/localnews/200804/20080411_1704.html
小一考代数几何 学校刁难孩童

小学一年级的数学考题，竟有代数和几何学题目，学校是否太刁难7岁孩童？
一名家长日前投函《早报》言论版，说他偶然看到公立培群学校前年年中的数学试卷，发现部分考题对小一生来说难度相当高。他列出其中两道题（见制图），指它们涉及代数和几何范围。
他记得自己是在中二、中三才学代数和几何学。“以7岁童的心智和推理能力，面对这样深奥的题目，除了随便乱猜之外，还有什么办法可以应付？”
他表示，这类题目令小孩和家长很苦恼。“家长因怕输，让儿女拼命恶补，在学习的道路上，我们的孩子实在太苦、太苦了！”
《新明》测试：仅11%小一生全答对
《新明日报》记者拿这两道考题，分别测试了43名小一和小二生，结果27名小一生中，只有3人全对，只占约11%；而16名小二生中，也只有5人答对。
接受记者测试而答对的小朋友说，在学校接触过类似题目，所以不觉得难。大部分答错的小朋友，都得经过一番解释，才恍然大悟。
校方怎么说？
学校说，题目考推理和智商，但并非超出小一生的理解能力。
公立培群学校受询时表示，单看所举的两题，确实和学校前年教学试卷的考题相似。
该校数学部主任陈老师表示，学数学不只专注课程内容，也锻炼推理技巧，因此很难说上述两题到底在考课程的哪一章哪一节。
“第一题测试简单的代数推理，虽然小六才学代数，但即使小一生，只要理解平时所学，数学感觉敏锐，是有能力回答的，数字也没超出小一生掌握的范围。”
他说，小一生都学过三角形，第二题要他们算三角形总数，属智商题，很难说在考课程哪个部分。
“考试不应摧毁信心，但也不是让所有人拿满分，每间学校都会出难度不同的题目，目的是为区分能力不同的学生。”

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/423/p2-math-general-discussionRSS for NodeMon, 04 May 2026 21:13:10 GMTTue, 01 Jul 2008 09:46:24 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Tue, 10 Jul 2018 10:05:21 GMT]]>

goldtrix:
I'm looking for which math enrichment programme would best suit my girl. She is barely coping in maths (average 50%). She is just not grasping the concepts on how to do the questions well and is de-motivated. It's not an English problem as she scores 80+ for English. She is shut-down and even the 1-1 tutor is not getting good results after a few months. Any programme to recommend that would help her to take in interest in math by working on the concepts in a way she will understand?

Errr...which concepts in particular? P2 maths concepts are actually P1 concepts but just with some further build-upon. Eg the + - x / are just extended by one more place from P1 to P2. Did she also struggle in P1?

Or are u talking about the new concepts introduced P2 like length, mass, etc type of topics?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1856614https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1856614Tue, 10 Jul 2018 10:05:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Tue, 10 Jul 2018 08:07:58 GMT]]>I’m looking for which math enrichment programme would best suit my girl. She is barely coping in maths (average 50%). She is just not grasping the concepts on how to do the questions well and is de-motivated. It’s not an English problem as she scores 80+ for English. She is shut-down and even the 1-1 tutor is not getting good results after a few months. Any programme to recommend that would help her to take in interest in math by working on the concepts in a way she will understand?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1856588https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1856588Tue, 10 Jul 2018 08:07:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:08:42 GMT]]>I'm rather interested in the workshop until I see....

\"Pricing: $65 per workshop, 20% off with purchase of 2 sessions\"
:gloomy:
-Have seen \"Polya’s 4-step\" but somehow feel it's rather inefficient

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1545225https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1545225Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:08:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:32:32 GMT]]>

Swift Formula:
I like Marshall Cavendish published books too.


Thank you! 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1531342https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1531342Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:32:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:08:42 GMT]]>I like Marshall Cavendish published books too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1531334https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1531334Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:08:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sat, 27 Jun 2015 23:22:23 GMT]]>School workshop are usually free or much cheaper.


Books can’t really capture a child’s attention. If they are interested, they will finish the book in no time. If they are not interested, the book will be sitting in corner of the room.

Young kids like entertainment, e.g. hands on practise or fun websites for maths. But don’t do it too regularly in case they get addicted to it and refused to do worksheets .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1529928https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1529928Sat, 27 Jun 2015 23:22:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Wed, 11 Feb 2015 23:08:31 GMT]]>long time lurker, first time poster 😄


we live in Australia, I've been looking high and low for the reference books written by eg. andrew er, fabian Ng especially those problem sums books. My P2 son is quite weak in this area so I'm hoping to get these books to help him.

I've also looked at the Sg popular bookstore website but these books aren't being sold online.
So, is there anyway of getting these books if we're overseas? would appreciate any help.

edited to add: i've even emailed the books publisher - educational publishing house, but they don't entertain unless you're a reseller. :frustrated:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1463912https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1463912Wed, 11 Feb 2015 23:08:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sun, 25 Jan 2015 15:26:05 GMT]]>Thanks all, will check out those suggestions that your helpful parents have suggested : )

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456746https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456746Sun, 25 Jan 2015 15:26:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sun, 25 Jan 2015 07:01:38 GMT]]>

trijoy:
Hi all,


Can anyone share where can I attend those maths workshop for parents ?

Thanks
There are also some organised by tuition centre like the one below. Need to pay though.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/ ... JpIjoidCJ9

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456502https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456502Sun, 25 Jan 2015 07:01:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:12:08 GMT]]>

trijoy:
Hi all,


Can anyone share where can I attend those maths workshop for parents ?

Thanks
Most schools conduct own Maths workshop, for parents.
Find out from (ask) your child's school Maths HOD -
The date & time, of running Maths workshop for parents, which level

Always seek help from your child's school HOD, if in doubt, not just for Maths, but for other subjects

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456354https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456354Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:12:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:59:44 GMT]]>

trijoy:
Hi all,


Can anyone share where can I attend those maths workshop for parents ?

Thanks

Attend those Math workshop for parents in your child's primary school. You should ask your child's teacher. Most schools offer math workshops for parents.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456342https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456342Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:59:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:32:30 GMT]]>Hi all,


Can anyone share where can I attend those maths workshop for parents ?

Thanks

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456340https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1456340Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:32:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:39:33 GMT]]>

happyheart:
I like to think that my DS2 is naturally inclined towards maths as he is not only interested in numbers, he is also quick to grasp concept e.g age difference concept. The only problem is...I realised he has been very careless with subtraction for 3- digit numbers onwards. Hence, even if he can do the 3steps question, he almost always end up with no marks. Can anyone advise how to correct this before it get worse?

He just need more practice to do vertical subtraction sums.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377074https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1377074Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:39:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:40:27 GMT]]>should start reading as a leisure.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1235517https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1235517Tue, 11 Mar 2014 02:40:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:32:02 GMT]]>

Mummy-oan:
May I seek your advise:

a) how to encourage children to love reading? My boy has no patience and not consistent to read story book. He dun like to write. I have asked him to write book review and he any how finished it.
not sure if my tip is useful...but i myself love to read and my DD1 always see me reading and she has her own collection of books which is always within her reach...and she always pick one or two out to read by herself or ask my wife who reads a story to her every night...

yes, though my DD1 is just 3 year old but I think the reading habit starts young...if you love to read, it will be easy for your children to like reading as children are always modelling after their parents...

hope some other parents with children nearer to your children's age group can help 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/992937https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/992937Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:32:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:01:49 GMT]]>May I seek your advise:

a) how to encourage children to love reading? My boy has no patience and not consistent to read story book. He dun like to write. I have asked him to write book review and he any how finished it.
b) how to train attention? My bb has very short attention. If you go beyond 10mins, he will stare at you and his ear just shut down. lol lor…
c) how to train composition writing?
Pse advise.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/992711https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/992711Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:01:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:59:18 GMT]]>I like to think that my DS2 is naturally inclined towards maths as he is not only interested in numbers, he is also quick to grasp concept e.g age difference concept. The only problem is…I realised he has been very careless with subtraction for 3- digit numbers onwards. Hence, even if he can do the 3steps question, he almost always end up with no marks. Can anyone advise how to correct this before it get worse?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/853328https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/853328Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:59:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:42:31 GMT]]>Not all exam paper from elite school would be suitable and a fine tips I got before a teacher, the exam in this year would not be tested similar to the last year one!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/750889https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/750889Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:42:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:47:07 GMT]]>anyone has recommendation for maths tutor or good tuition centre for p2 maths?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/639932https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/639932Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:47:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:53:43 GMT]]>@Kitty75


I have moved your Q&A post to the proper thread: http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=25114

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/613519https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/613519Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:53:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:53:18 GMT]]>Child started at 6 years old. Personally, I did not learn the formulas, however, they are taught gradually by CMA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/561633https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/561633Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:53:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:20:55 GMT]]>

WCW:

thanks, baobei, for answering to my doubts.
DS is hyperactive, that's why not so sure is abacus suitable for him, i worried he cant sit down to finish. heard that there are abt 30 questions each day for abacus? i know it is good to practice but i also worried it will kill his interest in maths.
Yes approx. for homework each week. It kind of kills the child interest unless you motivate the child. Abacus learning claims that it helps the child to focus and concentrate. I feel that it is true only when answering questions within specific time, challenged and motivated, otherwise, child will be reluctant to go for the classes. It happens to mine initially, especially he is more of a linguisic person. Having said that, he loves to go to the classes after he feels good at it. This is the same for all when we get better at the things we do.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560991https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560991Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:20:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:14:02 GMT]]>

WCW:
may i know does abacus help in P1 maths :?

Abacus does help in getting the child to calculate faster. However, we need to reinforce the number bonding and the typical way of Maths calculation with child as child is expected to show the workings. It is kind of confusing for the child in the beginning but after a while, child get used to it and actually helps. Especially if you have a hyperactive child that could not sit still to do work, abacus help ensure child complete the test.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560117https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/560117Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:14:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to P2 Math - General Discussion on Sun, 14 Aug 2011 02:48:29 GMT]]>

bigsnoopy:

Mine started at K1.. 🤷
Wow to do number bond in K1 is very impressive. Do you teach you child at home or he/she learns from kinddy?

😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/544977https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/544977Sun, 14 Aug 2011 02:48:29 GMT