This is the third re-run this year of our very successful annual S1 Math Headstart programme for post-psle students (see tutor’s comments at end of page). It reflects the recognition of parents and students of the importance of Algebra in preparing for Secondary Math.
TO REGISTER, SMS <STUDENT NAME> , <S1AA> TO 97860411.
Level/Subject: Sec 1 Arithmetic & Algebra (S1AA)
Dates: Mon 29/12, Tue 30/12, and Wed 31/12 (three 3 hr sessions)
Time: 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Location: Blk 644, Bukit Batok Central, #01-68. S(650644).
Our location is just a 3-min walk from either the Bukit Batok MRT station or the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange. Buses that stop along the roads surrounding our location are numbers 157, 178, 66, 506, 173, 174, 176, 187, 985. Buses services which terminate at Bukit Batok Bus Interchange are 61, 77, 106, 173, 177, 189, 852, 941, 945, 947.
Target Group: Suitable for post-PSLE students who wish to learn more about Negative Numbers & Algebra, as well as basic Indices.
Purpose: To give post-PSLE students a HEADSTART in the THREE MOST IMPORTANT TOPICS of secondary Math – Arithmetic, Algebra and Indices, as students who do badly in Math in secondary school are usually those who have a poor FOUNDATION in these three topics.
Topics: (1) Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of Negative Numbers; (2) Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of Algebraic expressions; (3) Simplifying Algebraic fractions; (4) Basic Indices.
Focus: CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING
Format: Teaching + Worksheets + Discussions
Fee: Only $270 for all 3 sessions (inclusive of materials & refreshments)
Tutor: Mr Ilyasa (M.Ed., PGDE, B.Sc, Ex-MOE Teacher, Full-Time Tutor of PSLE, ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level Math and Physics since 2004).
Mr Ilyasa has been coaching students in ‘A’ Level & IB Physics and Mathematics for more than 7 years, as well as ‘O’ Level & IP Physics, Additional Math, E. Math and PSLE Math for more than 10 years. An alumnus of RI and RJC, Mr Ilyasa holds both a Master of Education degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with Credit from the National Institute of Education, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the National University of Singapore.
TO REGISTER, SMS <STUDENT NAME> , <S1AA> TO 97860411.
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Tutor’s comments:
The students took quite some time to understand the concept of negative numbers as it is not covered at all in the primary math syllabus. They were intrigued by the techniques of adding, subtracting, multiplying and adding negative numbers, and using BODMAS (Order of Operations) to evaluate an expression that is a mixture of these. Things became more difficult when fractions came in, but simplifying algebraic expressions become much easier when students have mastered arithmetic involving negative numbers and brackets as well as powers or indices.
Rgds,
Ilyasa
“Models (drawing of) destroyed my life.” – Sec 3 Math student
I laughed when he said it. But it’s a significant statement by my Sec 3 Math student made two days ago. It’s something I’ve been warning parents and students about, in my earlier article Beware the Critical Years in Math.
This Sec 3 Math tutee is from a top government secondary school in the west. Being mathematically intelligent, he had found it easy to use models-drawing to solve PSLE Math problems. But he had a hard time coping with Algebra in Sec 1 and Sec 2, and it’s affecting both his Math and A. Math performance now. This situation is not unique to him.
The best years of learning by your brain is probably from the time you were born to just before your teenagehood. Singaporeans around my age or older were taught to use algebraic equations to solve math problems at the PSLE back then. I remember using simultaneous equations in 1984 to solve today’s “guess & check” problems in the PSLE. Thus our algebraic skills were good and it helped us, even those who didn’t do well at the PSLE, in doing O-Level and A-Level Math.
Algebra is SO important for Math at O-level and A-level, yet our dear MOE chooses not to introduce it for problem-solving in today’s PSLE. I still don’t understand why.
It is true that some young students may not be able to understand Algebra, due to it being very abstract. But it is also true that some young students are not visually or spatially intelligent enough to draw, cut and move rectangles to solve problems. For eg, what has rectangles got to do with mass or age? (you know, those problems involving age relationships between persons or mass relationships between objects). Using rectangles or boxes to represent age or mass is just as ridiculous or abstract as using letters such as ‘x’ and ‘y’ as in algebra.
The least the MOE should do is to allow the teaching of BOTH methods to solve problems. Since those boxes start appearing in P2 or P3, algebraic expressions should also be introduced at P2 or P3, algebraic expansion in P4, algebraic factorisation in P5, and algebraic equations in P6. Sec 1 students can straightaway start on algebraic fractions etc. Do we lose anything by introducing algebra earlier in our math curriculum?
I’m glad I started my Sec 1 Algebra course for post-PSLE students in Nov and Dec last year (see Sec 1 Algebra Headstart Holiday Enrichment Programme for post-PSLE students). I think students still don’t realise how ill-prepared they are for math in sec school and JC. I dare say that if you are weak in your S1 and S2 algebra, you don’t have to take Math anymore.
Good Luck.
Rgds,
Ilyasa
(M.Ed., PGDE, B.Sc, ex-teacher, full-time tutor: 97860411)
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TUITION CLASSES:
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EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:
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By EX-MOE TEACHERS & EXPERIENCED TUTORS
@ BLK 644, BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL, #01-68. S(650644).
CALL 65694897 OR SMS 98530744 OR 97860411.
Sec 1 Algebra Headstart Holiday Enrichment Programme for post-PSLE students
For our latest timetable, click here => 
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ORIGINAL POST (OUTDATED):
From my 8 years’ experience coaching secondary students in Math, I found that even students who scored A-star in PSLE Math can end up doing badly in secondary Math. The main reason can be attributed to a poor grasp of Algebraic fundamentals in Sec 1 and Sec 2. Thus I see the need to provide post-PSLE students with a Math programme that introduces them to concepts in Algebra.
The details of the 2-day, 6-hr programme are as follows:
Date/Time (choose one pair of sessions only):
(1) Thurs 15 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Fri 16 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm);
(2) Thurs 29 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Fri 30 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm);
Location: Blk 627, Bukit Batok Central, 07-640.
Class size: Max 6 students.
Investment amt: $120 total for both days (6 hrs).
Tutor: Mr Ilyasa; M.Ed (NIE), PGDE (NIE), BSc (NUS), A-Level (RI); ex-sch teacher, full-time tutor (8 years) of PSLE, O and A Level Math and Physics.
To book a place in the programme, sms to or call Mr Ilyasa at 97860411.
Related post: Beware the critical years in math education in Singapore …