The Sec 1 posting results were out recently. Here's an article on tips for helping your kid adjust to Secondary 1. A good read for parents with kids moving on to Sec 1.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/5-tips-for-adjusting-to-secondary-1-now-that-psle-is-over-045841685.html
Saturday, 24 December 2016
Monday, 7 November 2016
2016 PSLE Question on Carrier Crab and Sea Urchin - Check out this video
In the 2016 Science PSLE, pupils were asked an open-ended question on the carrier crab and sea urchin.
Watch this video (posted on Youtube) to see the carrier crab in action.
Watch this video (posted on Youtube) to see the carrier crab in action.
Science Concepts:
This is an example of symbiosis or interdependence between the carrier crab and the sea urchin. The carrier crab carries the sea urchin on its back as a spiny shield to protect itself from predators. In return, the sea urchin gets a free ride to new feeding grounds in the ocean so that it can get more food.
Thursday, 3 November 2016
Good Read - Frindle by Andrew Clements
Recently, I gave my nephew, E, a book, "Frindle", by Andrew Clements as part of his birthday present. E enjoys reading the book as it is humorous.
The book is about a boy, Nicholas Allen, who has plenty of ideas. Mrs Granger, the language arts teacher, has X-ray vision and nobody gets away with anything in her classroom. To make matters worse, she is also a fanatic about the dictionary. However, when Nick learns an interesting tidbit about words and where they come from during Mrs Granger's lessons, he is inspired to invent a new word. A pen is no long a pen - it is a frindle.
Soon, the excitement about invented words spreads beyond Nick's school and town.
I would recommend this book to kids who are in Primary 3 and 4. If you have a Primary 2 kid who is an advanced reader, this book may be suitable for him or her too. In a nutshell, this imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will intrigue young readers.
The book is about a boy, Nicholas Allen, who has plenty of ideas. Mrs Granger, the language arts teacher, has X-ray vision and nobody gets away with anything in her classroom. To make matters worse, she is also a fanatic about the dictionary. However, when Nick learns an interesting tidbit about words and where they come from during Mrs Granger's lessons, he is inspired to invent a new word. A pen is no long a pen - it is a frindle.
Soon, the excitement about invented words spreads beyond Nick's school and town.
I would recommend this book to kids who are in Primary 3 and 4. If you have a Primary 2 kid who is an advanced reader, this book may be suitable for him or her too. In a nutshell, this imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will intrigue young readers.
Wednesday, 2 November 2016
What should you do after your kid has shown you the examination scripts?
It's the time of the year when kids take home their examination scripts or report books. After you have identified areas that your child has improved in and acknowledged the improvement, what could you as parents do?
The next step will be to identify the areas for improvement. Do not be too quick to judge your child and make comments such as "Why did you do so poorly this time round? Did you put in effort?" Yes, there will definitely be times when you feel disappointed in your child's results. However, before you make any comments, I would suggest that you calm down and look through the examination script first. Ask yourself:
- Is the examination challenging?
- Are there questions that are higher-order? Are these the questions that your child stumbles over?
- Are there concepts that have been taught and yet your child still gets the concepts wrong?
- Is your child weak in certain sections of the paper or certain topics?
A friend of mine was sharing with me recently how her daughter's school had incorporated a number of higher-order questions in the examination. As a school teacher, she knew that her daughter would probably not get some of these questions right as she did not have enough exposure in school. There was one Heuristic question that was taught in school but her daughter got the question wrong. She commented that it was a signal to her that her daughter had not internalised what was taught. Hence instead of reprimanding her daughter, she told me that she would work on the weaker areas during the December holidays.
I agree with my friend's approach. I think it is important to look through the examination scripts and identify the areas for improvement. Make use of the December holidays to revisit the concepts or topics that your child does not understand. Work on the sections that he or she is weaker in. If you follow this strategy, you will realise that you can achieve much more than just doing assessment book after assessment book or paper after paper. This focused approach will be more effective given the fact that kids have little time as many still need to go to school for CCA sessions or supplementary lessons, especially the P6 kids.
There is a Chinese saying that highlights the importance of diagnosing an illness and prescribing suitable medicine after the diagnosis. I think it will be more effective if we spend time diagnosing the areas for improvement and work on them during the December holidays.
The next step will be to identify the areas for improvement. Do not be too quick to judge your child and make comments such as "Why did you do so poorly this time round? Did you put in effort?" Yes, there will definitely be times when you feel disappointed in your child's results. However, before you make any comments, I would suggest that you calm down and look through the examination script first. Ask yourself:
- Is the examination challenging?
- Are there questions that are higher-order? Are these the questions that your child stumbles over?
- Are there concepts that have been taught and yet your child still gets the concepts wrong?
- Is your child weak in certain sections of the paper or certain topics?
A friend of mine was sharing with me recently how her daughter's school had incorporated a number of higher-order questions in the examination. As a school teacher, she knew that her daughter would probably not get some of these questions right as she did not have enough exposure in school. There was one Heuristic question that was taught in school but her daughter got the question wrong. She commented that it was a signal to her that her daughter had not internalised what was taught. Hence instead of reprimanding her daughter, she told me that she would work on the weaker areas during the December holidays.
I agree with my friend's approach. I think it is important to look through the examination scripts and identify the areas for improvement. Make use of the December holidays to revisit the concepts or topics that your child does not understand. Work on the sections that he or she is weaker in. If you follow this strategy, you will realise that you can achieve much more than just doing assessment book after assessment book or paper after paper. This focused approach will be more effective given the fact that kids have little time as many still need to go to school for CCA sessions or supplementary lessons, especially the P6 kids.
There is a Chinese saying that highlights the importance of diagnosing an illness and prescribing suitable medicine after the diagnosis. I think it will be more effective if we spend time diagnosing the areas for improvement and work on them during the December holidays.
Wednesday, 26 October 2016
Tricky Science PSLE Question
One of my tutees sent me a message to clarify the following tricky question that was set in the PSLE this year. Try to do the following question using elimination!
What is/are the characteristic(s) that only birds have but not other animals?
A: They have a beak.
B: The have wings.
C: They have feathers.
(1) A only
(2) C only
(3) A and C only
(4) B and C only
Put on your thinking cap and try to solve this question.
Answer: 2
Explanation: Some pupils will be tricked into choosing option 3. However, a platypus is a mammal but has a beak known as a bill. Birds are the only animals that have feathers.
What is/are the characteristic(s) that only birds have but not other animals?
A: They have a beak.
B: The have wings.
C: They have feathers.
(1) A only
(2) C only
(3) A and C only
(4) B and C only
Put on your thinking cap and try to solve this question.
Answer: 2
Explanation: Some pupils will be tricked into choosing option 3. However, a platypus is a mammal but has a beak known as a bill. Birds are the only animals that have feathers.
Monday, 24 October 2016
Real-life Application Science Question - Invisible Water Vapour
Parents can pose the following question to the kiddos.
Question:
Water vapour is not visible. How do we show that water vapour is in the surrounding air?
Approach:
The P5 kiddos have learnt about water and its three states hence one easy way to prove that water vapour is all around them is to place a bottle of cold water or a can of cold drink on the table. After some time, water droplets will form on the outer surface of the cold bottle or cold can.
Science Concept and Keywords:
When the warmer water vapour in the surrounding air comes into contact with the cooler outer surface of the bottle/can, the warmer water vapour loses heat to the cooler outer surface of the bottle/can and condenses to form water droplets.
A Peek into Our Teaching Approach:
We believe in making learning easier for the kiddos. Hence we introduce our kiddos to template answers to certain questions. Template answers contain keywords that the PSLE markers are looking out for.
Question:
Water vapour is not visible. How do we show that water vapour is in the surrounding air?
Approach:
The P5 kiddos have learnt about water and its three states hence one easy way to prove that water vapour is all around them is to place a bottle of cold water or a can of cold drink on the table. After some time, water droplets will form on the outer surface of the cold bottle or cold can.
When the warmer water vapour in the surrounding air comes into contact with the cooler outer surface of the bottle/can, the warmer water vapour loses heat to the cooler outer surface of the bottle/can and condenses to form water droplets.
A Peek into Our Teaching Approach:
We believe in making learning easier for the kiddos. Hence we introduce our kiddos to template answers to certain questions. Template answers contain keywords that the PSLE markers are looking out for.
Friday, 14 October 2016
What Parents Say About Our Programmes and Teachers...
Here are some testimonials written by our tutees (from the 2016 graduating classes) and their parents. You may like to read some of the testimonials to learn more about our programmes, teaching strategies and teachers. We will continue to upload the testimonials written by our tutees and their parents. To the tutees and parents who have written testimonials for us, thank you so much for writing the lovely testimonials :)
Testimonials from our tutees' parents:
Testimonials from our tutees:
Testimonials from our tutees' parents:
Thursday, 13 October 2016
Tapping on Newspapers and Current Affairs for Learning
We believe that it is important for pupils to be aware of current affairs and what's happening around them. Hence we tap on newspaper articles and other media such as the Internet while preparing our English curriculum. When kids deem what they are learning relevant to them, they will be more motivated to learn.
For instance, pupils in the Primary 5 cohort have read our in-house resources on recent events in Singapore and in the world such as the outbreak of the Zika virus in Singapore, the origins of the Olympics and the Pokemon Go hype. Through our customised resources, pupils are kept abreast of current affairs. At the same time, we integrate essential language skills in the resources.
Keeping abreast of current affairs also gives the pupils an advantage in PSLE Oral as they can support their opinions on relevant issues with what they have gleaned from the articles.
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Post-PSLE Activity: Watch a video on Periodic Table
In 1864, Dimitri Mendeleev published the first periodic table that organized all the known elements in the world. This tool was groundbreaking for many reasons–including the fact that Mendeleev planned with incredible foresight, leaving space for any new elements that would be discovered beyond his time.
Tuesday, 11 October 2016
2016 PSLE Question on Interdependence / Symbiotic Relationship
On 25 July 2011, I wrote a blog entry on interdependence among organisms.
http://serenagreenhouse.blogspot.sg/2011/07/interdependence-among-organisms.html
When I go through some examples of interdependence or symbiotic relationships among organisms with my tutees each year, many of them will tell me that they have not come across the examples I shared with them in school. Some will even ask me if these concepts will be tested at all in the PSLE.
I will always explain to them that interdependence among organisms is within the syllabus hence SEAB can actually set a PSLE question on interdependence with a context given. I always believe that if a context is given, pupils can be tested on examples that they have not come across. Hence it is important to READ WIDELY. Parents should encourage their kids to read Young Scientist magazines and watch National Geographic channel. The kiddos' learning SHOULD NOT be restricted to only the facts and examples in the school textbooks. As an ex-teacher and a current tutor, I know that pupils may not have enough exposure to real-life examples. Hence I will always make it a point to share with them these real-life examples.
I was glad that some of my tutees shared with me that in the 2016 Science PSLE, they were tested on a question that has similar concepts to this example that I shared with them during one of my lessons:
http://serenagreenhouse.blogspot.sg/2011/07/interdependence-among-organisms.html
When I go through some examples of interdependence or symbiotic relationships among organisms with my tutees each year, many of them will tell me that they have not come across the examples I shared with them in school. Some will even ask me if these concepts will be tested at all in the PSLE.
I was glad that some of my tutees shared with me that in the 2016 Science PSLE, they were tested on a question that has similar concepts to this example that I shared with them during one of my lessons:
Thursday, 6 October 2016
2016 PSLE Composition Topic
Our Primary 6 tutees were very happy after the English PSLE as we covered the PSLE Composition topic this year, A Secret, during our Writer's Craft classes. Some kids told us, "Bingo!"
Picture 1 - girls whispering to each other
Pic 2 - a sealed envelope with the word secret on it
Pic 3 - out of bounds area with gate
After the PSLE, I checked with a few tutees on their story plots. Although we had done the same topic before, they did not write the same stories. Some of them adapted the story plot that we went through for the topic, "A secret" while others adapted story plots that we had gone through for other topics. Well done! We're really proud of their progress and achievement!
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
Registration for 2017 Classes
Dear Parents,
We have started our registration exercise for 2017 classes. Here are the details of our classes:
Classes Conducted by Mrs Teo (Ex-Math Head of Department):
(a) P4 Math* (Placement test will be conducted to ensure there is a right fit)
Sunday 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(b) P5 Math* (Placement test will be conducted to ensure there is a right fit)
Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(c) P6 Math
Sunday 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Ms Hayati (Ex-English Head of Department):
(a) P5 Writer's Craft & Oral
Saturday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
(b) P6 English Paper 2
Friday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
(c) P6 Writer's Craft
Saturday 3.15 p.m. to 5.15 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Teacher Serena (Ex- Science Subject Head):
(a) P4 Science
Friday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
(b) P5 Science
Sunday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Sunday 1.45 p.m to 3.45 p.m.
(c) P6 Science
Saturday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Sunday 10.45 a.m. to 12.45 p.m.
(d) P6 Writer's Craft & Oral
Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please send an email to serenagreenhouse@gmail.com or send an sms to 98736115 for enquiries.
We have started our registration exercise for 2017 classes. Here are the details of our classes:
Classes Conducted by Mrs Teo (Ex-Math Head of Department):
(a) P4 Math* (Placement test will be conducted to ensure there is a right fit)
Sunday 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(b) P5 Math* (Placement test will be conducted to ensure there is a right fit)
Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(c) P6 Math
Sunday 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Ms Hayati (Ex-English Head of Department):
(a) P5 Writer's Craft & Oral
Saturday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
(b) P6 English Paper 2
Friday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
(c) P6 Writer's Craft
Saturday 3.15 p.m. to 5.15 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Teacher Serena (Ex- Science Subject Head):
(a) P4 Science
Friday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
(b) P5 Science
Sunday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Sunday 1.45 p.m to 3.45 p.m.
(c) P6 Science
Saturday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Sunday 10.45 a.m. to 12.45 p.m.
(d) P6 Writer's Craft & Oral
Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please send an email to serenagreenhouse@gmail.com or send an sms to 98736115 for enquiries.
Friday, 26 August 2016
Science Video - Air expands when heated
Some kids have difficulty in visualising that air expands when heated. This video will show the concept clearly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M_XtIVE_u4&gl=SG&hl=en-GB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M_XtIVE_u4&gl=SG&hl=en-GB
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
P5/P6 Synthesis Revision - Questions requiring transformation of words
Here are some questions that your child can attempt for revision:
1) David was reluctant to participate in the school concert. His teacher noticed it.
2) The maid was negligent. The baby fell down.
Due to the maid's ____________________________________________________
Ans: Due to the maid's negligence, the baby fell down.
___________________________________________ with _____________________
Ans: Ben commented on the painting with sarcasm.
______________________________________ because of _____________________
Ans: Pete and Tom are no longer friends because of a heated argument over a minor issue.
1) David was reluctant to participate in the school concert. His teacher noticed it.
David’s__________________________________________________________
Ans: David's reluctance to participate in the school concert was noticed by his teacher.
Comment: There are two skills tested in this question:
(a) Transformation of word from adjective (reluctant) to noun (reluctance)
The word "David's" is in possessive form hence pupils have to transform the word "reluctant" to a noun.
(b) Change the sentences from active voice to passive voice
2) The maid was negligent. The baby fell down.
Due to the maid's ____________________________________________________
Ans: Due to the maid's negligence, the baby fell down.
Comment: (a) Transformation of word from adjective (negligent) to noun (negligence)
3) Ben was disobedient. He was caned.
As a result of Ben's __________________________________________________
Ans: As a result of Ben's disobedience, he was caned.
Comment: (a) Transformation of word from adjective (disobedient) to noun (disobedience)
4) Ben was sarcastic when he commented on the painting.
Ans: Ben commented on the painting with sarcasm.
Comment: (a) Transformation of word from adjective (sarcastic) to noun (sarcasm)
5) Pete and Tom are no longer friends. They argued heatedly over a minor issue.
Ans: Pete and Tom are no longer friends because of a heated argument over a minor issue.
Comment: (a) Transformation of word from verb (argued) to noun (argument). Do note that the word "argument" is a commonly misspelt word.
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
Update on 2016 classes...
Dear parents,
We received several enquiries about our 2016 classes. Here's an update on our classes. For those who are keen to be placed on our waitlist for 2017 classes, please complete the online registration form to indicate your interest. We will start the 2017 registration exercise for our existing pupils this weekend. Details of the classes will be out soon.
Classes Conducted by Mrs Teo (ex-Math Head of Department):
(a) P4 Science (FULL)
Wednesday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
(b) P5 Math (FULL)
Sunday 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
(c) P6 Math (FULL)
Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Ms Hayati (ex-English Head of Department):
(a) P5 English Paper 2 (LIMITED VACANCIES)
Friday 4.45 p.m. to 6.45 p.m.
(b) P6 English Paper 2 (FULL)
Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
(c) P6 Writer's Craft (FULL)
Friday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Teacher Serena (ex-Science Subject Head):
(a) P5 Science
Saturday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. (FULL)
Sunday 10.45 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. (FULL)
(b) P5 Writer's Craft (FULL)
Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(c) P6 Science
Sunday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. (FULL)
Sunday 1.15 p.m to 3.15 p.m.(FULL)
(d) P6 Writer's Craft(FULL)
Wednesday 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
We received several enquiries about our 2016 classes. Here's an update on our classes. For those who are keen to be placed on our waitlist for 2017 classes, please complete the online registration form to indicate your interest. We will start the 2017 registration exercise for our existing pupils this weekend. Details of the classes will be out soon.
Classes Conducted by Mrs Teo (ex-Math Head of Department):
(a) P4 Science (FULL)
Wednesday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
(b) P5 Math (FULL)
Sunday 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
(c) P6 Math (FULL)
Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Ms Hayati (ex-English Head of Department):
(a) P5 English Paper 2 (LIMITED VACANCIES)
Friday 4.45 p.m. to 6.45 p.m.
(b) P6 English Paper 2 (FULL)
Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
(c) P6 Writer's Craft (FULL)
Friday 7.15 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
Classes Conducted by Teacher Serena (ex-Science Subject Head):
(a) P5 Science
Saturday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. (FULL)
Sunday 10.45 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. (FULL)
(b) P5 Writer's Craft (FULL)
Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(c) P6 Science
Sunday 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. (FULL)
Sunday 1.15 p.m to 3.15 p.m.(FULL)
(d) P6 Writer's Craft(FULL)
Wednesday 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Thursday, 11 August 2016
PSLE Oral: Stimulus-based Conversation (Part 2)
As this cohort of P6 pupils is the second batch to be tested with the new PSLE Oral Format, there are very few commercial resources on stimulus-bsed conversation available in the market. Here are a few Stimulus-based Conversation topics that my tutees were tested on in school:
(A) Theme: Physical Activities / Sports
Picture: Poster showing different activities during PE lessons (gymnastics, ball games, rock climbing)
Question 1: Which activity will you choose? Why?
Question 2: You have a friend who do not like to take part in physical activities. How can you persuade your friend to take part in some physical activities?
Question 3: How do you keep fit?
(B) Theme: Reading
Picture: Magazine on fun facts about animals
Question 1: Will you be interested to buy this magazine? Why or why not?
Question 2: What is your hobby?
Question 3: Why do you think reading is important?
(C) Theme: Bullying
Stimulus: Letter to Aunt from victim who is bullied in school
Question 1: Have you been bullied before in school?
Question 2: Do you think bullying is a wrong act?
Question 3: If you have a friend who is bullied in school, what will you do?
(D) Theme: Food
Picture: Advertisement on Instant Chicken Rice
Question 1: Would you like to buy this? Why or why not?
Question 2: Would you buy it for family members who live overseas?
Question 3: What other food would you recommend to a friend who is from overseas?
(A) Theme: Physical Activities / Sports
Picture: Poster showing different activities during PE lessons (gymnastics, ball games, rock climbing)
Question 1: Which activity will you choose? Why?
Question 2: You have a friend who do not like to take part in physical activities. How can you persuade your friend to take part in some physical activities?
Question 3: How do you keep fit?
(B) Theme: Reading
Picture: Magazine on fun facts about animals
Question 1: Will you be interested to buy this magazine? Why or why not?
Question 2: What is your hobby?
Question 3: Why do you think reading is important?
(C) Theme: Bullying
Stimulus: Letter to Aunt from victim who is bullied in school
Question 1: Have you been bullied before in school?
Question 2: Do you think bullying is a wrong act?
Question 3: If you have a friend who is bullied in school, what will you do?
(D) Theme: Food
Picture: Advertisement on Instant Chicken Rice
Question 1: Would you like to buy this? Why or why not?
Question 2: Would you buy it for family members who live overseas?
Question 3: What other food would you recommend to a friend who is from overseas?
Thursday, 28 July 2016
PSLE Oral Revision Workshop
Dear Parents,
We will be conducting a PSLE Oral Revision Workshop. We will cover reading and stimulus-based conversation during the workshop. Please send an email to serenagreenhouse@gmail.com to make enquiries.
Date: 10 August (Wednesday)
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Latest Update: FULL
We will be conducting a PSLE Oral Revision Workshop. We will cover reading and stimulus-based conversation during the workshop. Please send an email to serenagreenhouse@gmail.com to make enquiries.
Date: 10 August (Wednesday)
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Latest Update: FULL
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Lemon Battery
Science concept behind the experiment:
Batteries are comprised of two different metals suspended in an acidic solution. For the lemon battery, the two metals, copper and zinc, are suspended in the citric acid inside the lemons.
The two metals are electrodes, the parts of a battery where an electrical current enters and leaves the battery. Electrons flow out of the copper pennies and into the zinc nail through the acidic juice inside the lemon. Once the lemon battery is connected to the LED, a closed circuit is formed and an electric current flows through the closed circuit to light up the LED.
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
A Word A Week
Constrict (verb)
to become tighter or narrower; to make something tighter or narrower
Example: Her throat constricted when she heard the plight of the abused dog.
Example: The snake constricted its prey to kill it.
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