2012 school reopens. You will see all parents blogging about their kids in new schools, how can we be different :p Wen Kang is in Primary school PM class, alas he will not meet his bigger bro in Pri 3. By 2013, Nan Chiau will be single session, ie less logistic issues for us. The two smaller ones are also in their new schools. For this week, Mummy and Daddy have to look after the kids separately during orientation. Daddy brings Xin and Yi to pre-school, while Mummy brings Kang to Primary 1.
So far, our little girl is coping very well in school. She is playing, singing and eating a lot. Meanwhile, Kang still refuse to share with us his school life. Well, at least he is not resisting the change of environment. We only notice he is very tired after school :p
Be Brave Kang and Xin, we will always support you ! When Yi joins his sis, more gossips will come your way.
Meanwhile, checkout what cute little Wen Xin is doing in school. She is going to school on her own already !
We attended Boon Kang 's Primary one orientation last Thu. He will be joining Boon Wee in 2012. You can read about Kang's registration process in our previous post.
Boon Kang is outgoing and quick-witted by nature, and we believe he should be able to settle down quickly. We will also need to work on his temperamental as he can be quick temper too. We remind Kang that it will not be pleasant for us to meet his Form teacher too often :p
Nan Chiau Alumni arrange some activities for parents. The new Primary kids head to their new classroom with new classmates. Meanwhile, Principal Tan tells us about Nan Chiau and Hokkien Huay-Kuan's history. Nan Chiau wish to develop each kid to his full potential, but the school also emphasize Character molding.
Wen Wei show us his favorite food stall, Laksa.
Meanwhile, Kang enjoys a read-along session with his new classmates :)
Daddy and Mummy are eager to see Kang march on his new milestone :) As Kang leaves K2, No3 Boon Yee will become big brother to Boon Xin.
Exams, never fail to stress the kids, and more often parents and caretakers. Did you know that in Singapore, chicken-pox outbreak peaks before PSLE? Imagine the stress factors ! (unsubstantiated report from a casual chat with doctor)
We are very fortunate that Mummy is patiently guiding Wei along his Primary school curriculum. For Nan Chiau, students only need to take their Primary 2 SA2 exams. The results will stream them into Primary 3.
Personally, Daddy thinks Pri 1 and 2 is still honeymoon for kids, where they try to settle down to structured school life. But it is still tough, and challenging to ensure our kids follow through with their homework (Mummy is not a Tiger Mum).
For us, we encourage kids to work hard and play hard. We allow them to relax by playing with our phones or simply watching TV programmes. Daddy bring them outdoors to relax occasionally :)
From Pri 3 onwards, more objectives and we suspect KPI will be used to access students and their development potential ooops :)
We are happy as long as our kids put in their best effort. Wen Wei came in 12 in his class. This may be his first exam, but Wei has proven to us that we can trust him, and Mummy's effort has paid off. Actually we only hope he does not fare too badly :p
Wen Wei, Daddy and Mummy might not be so vocal in praising you , but as our first child, you are brazing a standard for your siblings to follow. Mummy and Daddy are so Proud of you.
What Pri 2 boy is expected to do today. Last time, if Daddy can form a few sentences without too much grammar errors, parents would be happy already.
For Wen Wei's project, Mummy and Daddy brainstorm with him, and offer suggestions. Wei will then draft his own story.
Along the way, as our storyline gets more ridiculous, everybody starts laughing. We will not divulge more details here, otherwise SPCA might come after us :p
Recently, Wei's Primary school got a Funfare event. Mummy took the day off to show support for Wei.
Wow, $3 to dunk your teacher, why last time Daddy/Mummy school day does not have this game (wicked smile) ?
Wen Wei enjoying his goodies :)
Mummy believe Wei enjoy his special treat today, together with his classmates, but alas, it lasted only a few hours. By the time kids had fun, and their lunch, Ring-Ring-Ring again.
Nerf gun can wait, back to class :)
On another topic, all students have to be deck in red white when they report to school. National Day must show patriotism :p
Next year Kang will be in Primary 1 afternoon class, and Wei will be in morning class. We will need to rearrange our schedules to accommodate the different school timing.
But Daddy and Mummy will continue to make an effort to engage the kids outdoors. We hope we will have more time to teach kids how to bike. Stay tune.
Every year around Jun and Jul, you will see a lot of anxious parents. Their kids are going to Primary school, and selecting their choice-school is a big deal to a lot of parents. Well, some believe the first step in society starts in Primary school, so only the "best" Primary school will do :)
Wow, our Primary One kiddos are only seven years old, do we really need to pressure-cooker them at such tender age? (Daddy would be lying when he say he is not anxious haha, but we are not paranoid :p )
For our No2 boy, he got into his Brother's Primary school in Phase 1. Daddy and Mummy are so glad we do not have to go competing for "places" again..phew.
This week is Phase 2C, when Parents go balloting for their kids. Parents have to gather in a hall, while other parents randomly pick up the "lucky" few to be allocated a placing.
Above pic shows Kang at two months old giggling. Is he really going to Primary 1 in 5 months? We hope he will quickly adapt to school life, make new friends and learn new things in school :)
Today, most schools celebrated Singapore's 45th National Day. Kids trooped to schools in Bright Red and White :) All are cheerful, and anticipating a day of Fun and Actions .
- schools are encouraged to drop Exams for Pri 1 and 2 - more projects and continual assessment (bite size) - frequent feedback between teachers and parents - children will be encouraged to learn at own pace
Before we start the session, we were shown a clip of Tomorrow's teaching medium. How does K12 students in US embrace technology, and gets equipped for 21st century?
Maybe Wei will be asking for iphone or ipad sooner than later?
How will MOE's new Holistic curriculum impact Singapore's Pri 1 and 2 children?
1) Teaching and assessment methods - teachers need to engage new breed of students, who grew up on Internet - teaching method will change, with emphasize on internet and social medias (eg Facebook, DigitalStories) - bite size assessment with more quizes and tasks (easier to digest) - emphasize on oral skills, expressions of ideas, passion for subjects
2) Exam realignment - emphasize on Oral Linguistic skills (spoken, show and tell) - old school teaching focus more on written skills In the pursuit for academic excellence, Nan Qiao will still focus on character development. We need Firm moral foundation, before we can seek out the truth.
By 2013, two major milestones will impact all Primary 1 and 2 children.
- a)single session schools, the idea is to allow children more opportunities and "free" time to develop other non-academic interests - b)No exams for Pri 1 , Pri 2 (maybe)
Exciting times lie ahead. Will it be more or less stressful for kids (and parents?) Only time will tell.
Our session ends with a famous quote from Mark Luther : "Intelligence and Character is the true meaning of Education"
credits .. ipad pic taken from http://www.apple.com/ipad/gallery/
Mummy and Daddy drop by to meet Wen Wei's form teacher Ms Irene Yeo last Thursday. This is our first teacher meet parents session for Nan Qiao.
Mummy has been coaching Wei since he joins Primary one. Wei is normally hardworking, and accomplished his assignments on time. (although we sometimes have to nag nag nag )
Character and Personality Teacher mentioned that Wei is helpful, and able to articulate himself. Helpful and cheerful boy.
But he can be talkative at times. And Teacher wants Mummy and Daddy to help monitor Wei's non-sensical outbreaks. When Wei is with his buddies, they tend to sprout nonsense. (Daddy prefers talk-cork-sing-song)
Peers will boost each other's courage, and the boys can sometimes be too rowdy for the poor class monitress :)
Mummy and Daddy will pay more attention to Wei. We know Wen Wei can sometimes Yell at his siblings (especially Wen Kang), when they are contending for same thing.
Academic
Wen Wei's continual assessment are quite good, except comprehension. His Pri 1 peers also perform poorly in comprehension, as they tend to answer in single word, instead of proper sentence. (the phone text sms-generation?)
Do you know that Nan Qiao is one of the 16 Primary schools which skip SA1? - how do we access his school assessments? - will children without SA1 and SA2 be disadvantaged when they have their exams later on?
As this is a new MOE initiative, we, together with other parents, are also curious and anxious. How will children's progress be affected, benefits? No one will know until a few years later :)
Personally, we prefer this New no-exams, but continual assessment Mode. - We are supposed to be updated more frequently on children's' progress - and no Exam stress (yes, parents are often more stressed than children during exam period)
Hopefully, less route memory work for children, and more opportunities to think out of the box. After all, in life, we are faced with different challenges every now and then.
1) Academic : - English spelling (once a week), chinese spelling (twice a week) - sat extra classes for English and Chinese Hanyu Pinyin classes - Primary school curriculum is already fully pack :p
2) Curriculum/sports - Running in school parade Square - Wei tells mummy he like to go there and run with his classmates
3) Arts Wei enjoyed using his art work given by school , recently he drew a submarine from Daddy's image.
4) SengKang library Wei goes to Sengkang library twice per week. He knows which corners contain his storybooks. Mummy got him a library card, so that Wei can borrow his own books soon.
5) Daddy would like to focus on Wei's Chinese lessons, classics
Video : Daddy could not catch what Wei's 弟子规 is saying, we only know he likes reciting the verses.
弟子规http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di_Zi_Gui - literally translated as "Standards for being a Good Student and Child" - teaching and imparting morals and good virtues into children - do Good deeds
Seven chapters : Chapter 1 - At Home, Be Dutiful to My Parents Chapter 2 - Standards for Younger Brothers (and Juniors) when Away from Home Chapter 3 - Be Cautious (or Reverent]) in My Daily Life Chapter 4 - Be Trustworthy Chapter 5 - Love All Equally Chapter 6 - Be Close to and Learn from People of Virtue and Compassion Chapter 7 - After All the Above are Accomplished, I Should Study Further and Learn Literature & Art to Improve My Cultural and Spiritual Life (or "If I Have Energy Left Over, I Should Study Writings"
One week has passed.. Wei has so far, enjoy his new school. But he still wakes up and ask where is Kang and Yi and Xin (in childcare)
This is his Teacher handbook, whereby kiddos will scribble message to parents. Not sure whether all text are eligible :p His TimeTable.. Mummy paste this on notice board, and Wei need to learn how to pack his own bag (soon..)
Achievements Mon/Tue - Children lunch in, no Tuckshop. School always start with reading session at 1300.
Wed - First tuckshop, and Wei dares to buy an ice cream, Mummy's face was Black :p
Thu - Teacher Yeo assign Wei as "Little Teacher", look after class when Teacher not around. Daddy suspect Wei need more time to handle himself, and now he can mind other people business?
Wei's daily allowance is $1.20 per day. This should be enough for tuckshop food (not including treats and sweets). In addition, Mummy keep some spare cash in bag secret compartment.
Wei knows how to navigate his way to hall or classroom from gate, as Parents cannot go into school compound anymore..
He knows how to ask for permission to go toilet. Not bad. (Daddy last time got phobia, and will hold his bladder)
At dismissal, Wei knows he cannot leave school until he sees Mummy or 奶奶. Parents with school going kids will know how exits are always jam-packed !! And when it rains.. bigger jam.
Meanwhile, Daddy is still trying to teach Wei to count with coins. Wei can identify up to $1.00, but he has problem with $1.10, $1.20 and so on. Wei got problem substracting, so he will always gives "tips".
