Posted in A. Math, Pri Math, Sec Math

“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.

Posted in A. Math, Headstart Classes, Holiday Classes

Sec 4 A. Math Headstart Programme – Differentiation

For our latest timetable, click here =>   secbutton

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ORIGINAL POST (OUTDATED):

 

The details of the 2-day, 6-hr programme are as follows:

Date/Time (choose one pair of sessions only):

(1) Sat 10 Nov (10 am to 1 pm) and Sun 11 Nov (10 am to 1 pm);

(2) Thurs 22 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Fri 23 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm);

(3) Thurs 6 Dec  (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Fri 7 Dec (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm);

Location: Blk 627, Bukit Batok Central, 07-640.

Class size: Max 6 students.

Investment amt: $150 total for both days (6 hrs).

Topics: Calculus – Differentiation & Its Applications

Tutor:  Mr Ilyasa; M.Ed (NIE), PGDE (NIE), BSc (NUS), A-Level (RJC); 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.

Posted in Headstart Classes, Holiday Classes, Pure Physics

Sec 4 Physics Nov/Dec 2012 Headstart Programme – Electricity

For our latest timetable, click here =>  secbutton

 

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ORIGINAL POST(OUTDATED):

 

The details of the 2-day, 6-hr programme are as follows:

Date/Time (choose one pair of sessions only):

(1) Sat 24 Nov (10 am to 1 pm) and Sun 25 Nov (10 am to 1 pm);

(2) Sat 8 Dec (10 am to 1 pm) and Sun 9 Dec (10 am to 1 pm);

Location: Blk 627, Bukit Batok Central, 07-640.

Class size: Max 6 students.

Investment amt: $150 total for both days (6 hrs).

Topics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity

Tutor:  Mr Ilyasa; M.Ed (NIE), PGDE (NIE), BSc (NUS), A-Level (RJC); 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.

Posted in Pri Math

PSLE (2013) / P6 Math Headstart Holiday Enrichment Programme

 

For our latest timetable, click here =>  pributton

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ORIGINAL POST (OUTDATED):

 

As you know, Problem Solving in P6 can be quite tough for the average student. Thus we are providing 2-day, 6-hr programmes in November and December to prepare P5 students to excel in P6 Problem Solving.

The details are as follows:

Date/Time (choose one session only): 

(1) Sat 10 Nov (2 pm to 5 pm) and Sun 11 Nov (2 pm to 5 pm) @ Bukit Batok;

(2) Sat 17 Nov (10 am to 1 pm) and Sun 18 Nov (10 am to 1 pm) @ Bukit Batok;

(3) Tue 20 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Wed 21 Nov (4.30 to 7.30 pm) @ Bukit Batok.

(4) Sat 24 Nov (2 pm to 5 pm) and Sun 25 Nov (2 pm to 5 pm) @ Serangoon North;

(5) Thur 27 Nov (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Fri 28 Nov (4.30 to 7.30 pm) @ Bukit Batok.

(6) Tue 4 Dec (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Wed 5 Dec (4.30 to 7.30 pm) @ Bukit Batok.

(7) Thur 13 Dec (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm) and Fri 14 Dec (4.30 to 7.30 pm) @ Bukit Batok.

Location: Blk 627, Bukit Batok Central, 07-640, or, Blk 510, Serangoon North Ave 4, 01-346.

Class size: Max 6 students.

Investment amt: $120 total for both days (6 hrs).

Tutors:

(1) Mr Iskandar; M.Sc (NUS), BBA (NUS), PGDE (NIE), A-Level (NJC); formerly a HOD for ICT and an upper primary Math and Science teacher in a SAP school.

(2) Mr Ilyasa; M.Ed (NIE), PGDE (NIE), BSc (NUS), A-Level (RJC); ex-sch teacher, full-time tutor of PSLE, O and A Level Math and Physics (8 years).

To book a place in the programme, sms to or call Mr Iskandar at 97249422 or Mr Ilyasa at 97860411.