Pick up tips and strategies to help your child prepare for the PSLE
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Parents can get their queries answered by two subject experts and a senior MOE official during a forum in May.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – If a child is struggling with mathematics now, is there still time for him to make a marked improvement before the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in September?
Maths expert Yeap Ban Har, a textbook author and former National Institute of Education lecturer, thinks so.
Dr Yeap said a child who is scoring Achievement Level (AL) 6 for maths typically has his basics in place and should focus on solving problem sums well. AL6 is for the mark range 45-64.
He will share more details on how to do so, as well as other relevant strategies, at an upcoming forum on preparing for the PSLE.
The Straits Times’ Smart Parenting Forum on PSLE Prep on May 20 at Ngee Ann Polytechnic will also have a plenary session helmed by Mr Sng Chern Wei, the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) deputy director-general of education for curriculum. It will be moderated by ST senior education correspondent Sandra Davie.
Mr Sng will give parents an overview of the current PSLE scoring system introduced in 2021 and advise how parents can better support their children
He said the scoring system aims to reduce fine differentiation of exam results and is part of changes to reduce an over-emphasis on academic results, and help pupils discover and develop their strengths and interests.
“I hope the forum will encourage parents to think more holistically about their children’s interests, strengths and learning needs in their growth, including the lead-up to the PSLE,” he said.
After the plenary session, there will be two breakout sessions where parents can learn ways to support their children in either English or maths.
The English session will be conducted by Ms Alexandra Wilson, a senior teacher from the British Council, who will offer tips to parents on how to help their children as the exam draws near.
For example, a child who is scoring AL6 for English should do targeted practice and practise spelling common words.
Ms Wilson added that some parents and pupils think that the longer the answer in the written papers and oral exams, the better, when in fact, the opposite is true.
“Answers that are too long or too complex lose fluency, give more opportunity for error, and are often likely to be less cohesive than shorter, concise answers,” she said.
In the maths session, Dr Yeap will explain practical strategies based on learning theories and research, including developing three to five key abilities in maths through simple routines.
Dr Yeap said: “Many people believe that mathematical ability is inborn but the truth is mathematical ability is mainly a result of exposure and practice, and negligibly due to genes.”
Another myth about maths is that explaining a solution is the best way to help, but Dr Yeap said: “Mathematics is not a spectator sport. You can’t be better at it by watching someone else do it – you have to do it yourself.”
Running concurrent with the main forum is a PSLE English workshop where pupils will learn how to use current affairs to write compositions.
The 75-minute session will be conducted by Ms Debra Ann Francisco, ST’s news-in-education specialist who taught English and literature in MOE schools previously.
Ms Francisco said: “The news contains such rich and authentic material, and pupils will be taught tips on how to mine stories in The Straits Times to make their continuous writing pieces stand out.”
To sign up for the forum, visit str.sg/psle2023
Event details
Date: Saturday, May 20
Time: 10am to 11.45am
Official venue partner: Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Registration
$15 – ST subscriber with a promo code sent to your e-mail.
$35 – Non-ST subscriber
English workshop – $40 per pupil
If you have any queries, e-mail stevents@sph.com.sg
