Primary / Secondary Academic Learning Tips and Resources: Primary 3

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Tips for English Comprehension Cloze

Quick glance at some useful tips.
Source: http://www.psleeng.com/?p=121

Sentence Examples

http://sentence.yourdictionary.com/

In learning, to understand a word's meaning you need more than a definition. Seeing the word in a sentence example can provide more context and relevance. Good resource.

Chinese Compositions: 作文网

http://www.zuowen.com/
小学到高中作文库。可按年级和题材分类。
Rich collection of Chinese compositions ranging from Primary levels to Secondary levels.

How to Handle Comprehension Cloze

The following article is sourced from EPH website:

http://www.eph.com.sg/edutips.php?id=22

The Comprehension Cloze in the PSLE is an estimated 200-word long passage, excluding the 15 blanks that you have to fill in. This section constitutes a considerable 15 marks out of 95 marks for Paper 2. Thus, it is imperative that you do well in this section to attain an ideal grade in the subject.

The passage is usually an information report about, for example, an animal, or it could be a narrative. In a short sentence, there is usually one blank while a longer sentence could contain two to three blanks. However, you will notice that the first and the last sentences of the passage are complete sentences and do not have any blanks for you to fill in. This is because the beginning and the ending serves to paint a fuller picture of what the passage is about and will be helpful towards your understanding of the passage.

Before you even attempt to fill the blanks in, take some time to read through the entire passage once. Read through it again if you need to. Why do you have to do this? This is because you need to know what the passage is about. This is called understanding the context. Contextual clues play a very important role to getting the correct answer.

Take the example below:

The robber had short hair unlike his accomplice, whose _____ hair gave others the impression that he was a woman.

Is your answer ‘long’?

If it is, then you have most likely used contextual clues to obtain your answer.

‘Unlike’ provides the clue that the accomplice has to have hair that is different, in this case, the opposite of the description of the robber with short hair. Also, ‘the impression that he was a woman’ helps to paint a picture of the accomplice with hair that makes him look like a woman.

You will also notice that the clues come from the same sentence that the blank occurs. However, this may not happen all the time. Clues can sometimes be found in preceding or proceeding sentences, or even in other paragraphs. Thus, if you encounter a blank which you do not know the answer, refer to the lines or paragraphs before and after it to see if you can find any clues to help you obtain your answer.

There may be some blanks that you cannot find a suitable word for. Do not spend too long a time trying to think of an answer. Time is too precious to mull over a blank. Go on to the next one. After you have reached the last blank, go back to those that you had difficulty with and try to fill them in. Avoid leaving any blanks unfilled. After this, read through the entire passage to check if it makes sense and if it is grammatically sound.

To be confident in successfully handling this section, it helps to read widely. Reading just your favourite novel is not enough. Do widen your reading material to the newspapers, the encyclopaedia or even comics. As long as it is print, you never know when the information will come in handy. Sometimes, the context could be familiar because you have read it somewhere before. Thus, you would be able to make use of the vocabulary at the back of your mind.

Picture discussion for lower Primary levels

http://www.scribd.com/doc/21350377/Picture-Discussion-Lower-Primary-Level

English picture discussion suitable for P1, P2, P3

MW Tuition resources

http://mwtuition.com.sg/resources
Free past years Exam papers for downloading, from P1-P6, all subjects. FREE but registration is required.

English Compositions from Zhangde Primary School

http://www.vtaide.com/English/stories.html
Archives of English compositions written by students (P1-P6) from Zhangde Primary School.

Oral examination in Primary Schools

ORAL EXAMINATION > 15 MARKS

Section 1 : Reading Aloud ( 5 marks )

What the testers will be observing...

PRONUNCIATION
A way in which words are pronounced in reference to the correct manner

ARTICULATION
An ability to express fluently and coherently (in speech)
Ensure separate sounds and words are clear

RHYTHM
Measure flow of words; well paced

FLUENCY
Quick... easy... and flowing expression; not to fast and not too slow

EXPRESSIVENESS
Expressing words and phrases with quality intonation of voice
Ability to use appropriate pitch to convey ideas and feelings

Section 2 : Picture Discussion ( 5 marks )

What the testers will be observing...

ABILITY TO TALK ON A GIVEN PICTURE

Giving an introduction...
Good Morning, Teacher... (Not Good Morning 'Cher...)
This picture shows a... OR
This picture depicts a scene from a ...... restaurant, a mall, a library, a canteen (etc)

Tips:

Try to talk about the picture, from a sweeping glance from left to right
On my left... there are two cyclists cycling along the path...
Behind them... are two children on tricycles...
Proper use of prepositions follows on throughout the picture discussion
For example, beside the girl or above them or in between the trees (etc)
DO NOT point to the pictures.
ALWAYS USE present tense.
AVOID using "I see..." (some testers deduct marks for this...)

Section 3: Conversation ( 5 marks )

What the testers will be observing...
ENGAGEMENT IN CONVERSATION

Ability to interact with the tester with personal responses to a given topic.
Almost (usually) the picture given will be similar to the one in Section 2
Not really so much of right or wrong context here but more to be able to handle a meaningful and nonchalant conversation with the tester on the picture given.

Example..
This is a picture of a clinic.
There are many patients waiting outside at the reception area.
I go to a clinic with my parents when I fall ill.
The doctor will check all his patients in the doctor's room.
... and so on

source: http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/tackling-primary-school-oral-examinations

Primary / Secondary Academic Learning Tips and Resources