KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hi ,

I have a kid next year Seconday One.

I would like to check with parents here whether there is a need to start the headstart for Secondary one in 2013. I have received a few email regarding the workshop for maths headstart.

How about students here, do you think that it is difficult to follow for math?

I may regret this but since Sec 1 is a low stakes year I am not pre teaching any part of the curriculum. I would like my son to feel empowered by being left to co cope on his own. He managed to find his own enrichment activities by attending some interesting uni lectures but he is doing it for pure fun. Not to prepare for Sec 1. I am told that teachers in secondary do teach sufficiently so I dun see the need to pre teach.

I hope I won't regret this.

Prepare for wat, may I ask? Not everything needs to have a headstart right? A good headstart = winning the race? I am not sure... I think holidays are meant for lazing ard... Haha... But tt is me only...me and my laziness...

Chenonceau wrote:I may regret this but since Sec 1 is a low stakes year I am not pre teaching any part of the curriculum. I would like my son to feel empowered by being left to co cope on his own. He managed to find his own enrichment activities by attending some interesting uni lectures but he is doing it for pure fun. Not to prepare for Sec 1. I am told that teachers in secondary do teach sufficiently so I dun see the need to pre teach.

I hope I won't regret this.

Agree with u. Sec 1 is a low stakes yr. I think we shld give our children the opportunity to try and study on their own. Who knows, they may be able to cope and no tuition is needed.

PiggyLalala wrote:Prepare for wat, may I ask? Not everything needs to have a headstart right? A good headstart = winning the race? I am not sure... I think holidays are meant for lazing ard... Haha... But tt is me only...me and my laziness...

Brain is still frozen...er, preparation for what? This time, I am reluctant to think of any form of head start for my son. I am guilty of lazing too.

Well based on the past year, I feel DS still has lots of catching up to do in terms of his English grammar & writing. So this holiday is really about getting spruced up on his weak areas. DS reads but does not pay attention to the nuances of language. So I'm getting him to do lots of reading this holiday - exposing to different genres and paying attention to different literary devices - just sensitizing him to what will be covered in Literature.

In terms of Maths, I think it's just about keeping the engine well-oiled so I'm getting him to do some simple algebra.

Seeing my daughter's secondary school stuff, I think that secondary math is easier than primary school. However, Science is quite difficult so maybe get him some science guide books to read through first?

Secondary Maths is rather different from Primary Maths as the focus is more on algebra. No more Maths modeling required. Thankfully the Sec Maths questions seem more straightforward than Pri Maths.

If you do require any tuition assistance whether now or later, pls feel free to PM me. I'm a Full Time Sec Maths Specialist for 1-1 or Small Group Tuition of max 4 students.
I was formerly an NUS Top Gradute and Book Prize Winner. Very Patient, Motivating & Dedicated to my students. I build strong rapport with all the parents as I believe in good tutor-parent-student partnerships.

Half of my students will be completing their O level E & A Maths this week and next week. Thereafter I'll be able to take in new students for Sec 1-4. Pls feel free to contact me if you need any further info or assistance on how I can help your child embrace and enjoy Maths!

Thank you.