Touch-Base Parent-Teacher-Meet Primary 3 29 Jan 2016

1. Touch-Base Parent-Teacher-Meet Primary 3 29 Jan 2016

2. Agenda • School’s Focus for 2016 • Programmes and Assessment Framework • Class Processes • Teachers’ Expectations • Home-school collaboration • Q & A

3. VMV Vision Concerned Citizens, Innovative Thinkers, inspired for Excellence, Service and Influence

4. Hallmarks of our students A Cantonment student is • Innovative in thinking • A servant leader • Morally upright 4

5. School’s Focus 2016 Be confident Taking responsibility (leadership opportunities) Student Leadership Authentic values education lessons Values-in-action opportunities Character and Citizenship Education Recognition of students practising school values

6. School’s Focus 2016 Teaching students to use thinking strategies / protocols Thinking Curriculum Thinking strategies/protocols are integrated into the curriculum Different programmes for different learning abilities Effective Learning

7. Character, Citizenship & Leadership (CCLE) We believe that: • Every child has the propensity to be persons of good character; • Every child should be given the opportunity to serve and lead others; and • The school, home and community play equally important roles in shaping the child.

8. CCLE

10. CCLE • Reflections will be used as the main assessment on the students’ learning in CCLE. • Reflections to be captured in worksheet or journal.

11. Collaboration with Parents Parents’ role: • Reiterate on the importance of learning and upholding the school values • Read your child’s reflections • Reinforce the values / lessons your child should learn • Acknowledge on the reflections

12. Character and Citizenship Education • A new segment in CCE lessons “Family Time” provides suggestions for activities that allow parents to bond with their children and support CCE. • For more information on how you can reinforce the values taught in schools, please visit this website,  https://www.schoolbag.sg/

15. Assessment Framework Types of assessments at Primary 3 • Review Tests (Terms 1 & 3) • Shorter than end-of-year assessments so less pressure • Tests skill or concept that has been taught at certain milestone • Has one or two objectives for teachers to help students improve learning • Semestral written examination (Terms 2 & 4) • Tests skills and concepts that have been taught by the end ofTerm 2 and Term 4.

16. Assessment Framework Examples of Review Tests • English vocabulary, grammar and comprehension tests • Mother Tongue comprehension test • Mathematics – selected topics • Science – selected topics

17. Assessment Framework English Language

18. Semestral Assessment SOP • A student who is absent from SA1 or SA2 with a Valid Reason (VR)- because he is unwell must produce a medical certificate (MC) issued by a doctor. An MC issued by a Chinese physician or a letter from parent will not be accepted.- due to the demise of a family member must submit a photocopy of the death certificate. • A student who is unwell on the day of an examination will not be allowed to sit for the paper. • There will be no make-up papers for students who missed the examinations. However, the paper will be given to the students as a practice paper. • For a student who is absent with a VR, the following will apply:

19. Semestral Assessment SOP • For more information, please refer to the Student’s Handbook page 18.

20. English Language Avid Readers Eloquent Speakers Inspired Writers • Build a Strong Foundation in English Language with STELLAR (Strategies for English Language Learning And Reading) • Good listening skills • Good reading habits • Speak with confidence • Write with passion • EL Programmes and Events • EL Week • Class Library for Reading Corner • Readers Theatre (Oracy Programme) • Remedial

21. English Language Avid Readers Eloquent Speakers Inspired Writers • Infusion of THINKING skills in Reading Comprehension, Writing and Speaking • Making Thinking Visible • Bloom’s Taxonomy of Thinking Dimensions • Collaboration with Partners such as NLB • Student members of NLB • NLB Mobile Library • Student Reading Interest Profile • Visit to school to conduct talks • Collaboration with Parents • Check handbook for homework and correspondences with teacher • Read to and with your child • Have meaningful conversations with your child

22. Mother Tongue Languages(Primary 3) • Nurture our students to be confident and effective communicators in the Mother Tongue Languages. • Enable them to appreciate the rich culture and heritage of the Chinese, Malays and Indians (Tamil)

23. Mother Tongue Languages(Primary 3) Special Programmes • Friday Reading Programme (Morning) • MT Library periods (bi-weekly) • MT Fortnight (July) • E-Book creation (ICT Lesson) • Touch-Typing (Tamil only) • Conversational CL/ML programme (optional)

24. Mother Tongue Languages(Primary 3) Enrichment Lessons/Materials: CL • Ezhishi Weekly & Online package • Comics Writing ML • Comics Writing TL • Comics Writing

25. Mathematics(Primary 3) Pedagogical Approach: Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (C-P-A) Approach • encounter mathematics in a meaningful way • translate mathematical skills from the concrete to the abstract • leverages on conceptual development Promotes students’ active participation in learning Use appropriate manipulatives to aid understanding

26. Mathematics(Primary 3) Mathematics Enhancement Activities (Eg. Remedial) • students who need more support • develop strong basic conceptual understanding and skills • experience early success and achieve steady progress Heuristics in Problem Solving • structured development of skills in applying heuristics from P2 to P6 Math Competition Training • Primary 3 to 5 high achieving students • develop higher order thinking skills and solve non-routine problems

27. Mathematics(Primary 3) Mathematics E- Learning • On top of the WizLearn account, students will also have an account with MC online Maths portal. This is in line with the new syllabus change this year. • Maths teachers will assign lesson packages to the students after every chapter. Objectives of e-learning: • To provide students with an alternative learning experience through technology. • To encourage self-directed learning.

28. Science(Primary 3) • The school aims to nurture an inquiring mind in every child through Science. • At the end of the 4 years’ programme, we would like the students to: - enjoyscience and are curious to explore the things around them. - have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for scientific inquiry.

29. Science(Primary 3) How are Science lessons in CPS designed? 5E Learning Cycle (Engage, Explore Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate) • An instructional model which says that learners build or construct new ideas on top of their old ideas. • This learning cycle allows students and teachers to experience common activities to use and build on prior knowledge and experience, to construct meaning, and to continuallyassess their understanding of a concept.

30. Science(Primary 3) Some of the programmes that students can look forward to are • Experiential learning • Learning Journey to Science Centre • Outdoor inquiry • Keeping of a Science Journal • Exposure to external competitions • Enrichment Programmes

31. FTGP • FTGP: Form Teacher Guidance Period • FTGP lessons are conducted to build better teacher-student relations. • Good values are also taught. • Both Form Teachers conduct FTGP lessons

32. Class Processes • Homework • Remedial/Supplementary Lessons • Class Rules • Class Expectations • Absenteeism • Collaboration with Parents

33. CPS Homework Policy

34. Homework Policy What is homework? • Any learning activity that students are required to complete outside of curriculum time. • Assignments and Projects are considered as homework. • Revision of school work or studying for tests and exams are not considered homework. • There is a difference between class work that a student did not complete in class and work that is assigned as ‘homework’

35. Homework Policy Key objectives of homework • Reinforce learning and deepen understanding • Apply skills and concepts taught • Develop good study skills and habits • Encourage ownership and responsibility for independent learning • Teachers and parents can monitor student progress.

36. Homework PolicyPromoting a balanced life for our students • No homework will be given on holidays accorded for religious observances and racial celebration e.g. Hari Raya, Good Friday. This is to recognise that homework will mean time taken away from family bonding and family commitments.

37. Homework PolicyPromoting a balanced life for our students • Homework is regulated and monitored so that there is no overload on any one day. • E/M/S/MTL will not all assign homework on one day for completion by the next day. Teachers will write on the whiteboard work assigned for their respective subjects to help monitor this. Sufficient lead time is given for completion. • Homework submission date is made known to pupils. • Based on individual student needs, homework can be modified and scaled down or scaled up.

38. Parents are our partners • As far as possible, provide conducive environment for study at home • Regularly and consistently supervise to help student develop good work habits. • Dedicate a homework period/time at home.

39. REMEDIAL(Primary 3) • Targets at students who need additional support in the learning of a particular subject. • Emphasis is placed on getting students to develop strong basic understanding, experience early success and achieve steady progress. • Please refer to the letter issued for the schedule of the lessons should your child be identified for remediation. • P3 Science remedial will only start in Semester 2.

40. REMEDIAL(Primary 3) • Termly Consent forms will be sent out. • Students who miss remedial must provide a medical certificate or a parent’s letter. • In the event that remedial has to be cancelled, a cancellation form or phone call will be given to inform parents.

41. Class Rules

42. Class Expectations • Homework to be handed in on time • All books to be brought according to the time table • Duty Roster (if any) • Recognition system (if any) • Reading Programme (or any class- • students stay behind after school/ come early before school

43. Attire • All students will don the formal uniform on days when they do not have PE. • PE T-shirt and shorts are to be worn on PE days only. • Please ensure that nametags are ironed or sewn on by Term 1 Week 5. • For formal uniform, nametags are to be sewn 1 cm above the pocket for boys. • For girls, it should be in the middle of the second button and side of the sleeves.

44. Punctuality • Silent reading starts at 7.40 a.m.; students are expected to participate in this. • Flag-raising ceremony will start at 7.55 a.m. so that classes can start promptly at 8 a.m. • When students are late for school, it causes stress to the child and this affects their readiness for class. • Students need to develop the habit to being punctual. • Students are to read their English storybooks from Monday to Thursday and Mother Tongue books on Friday. • For more details, please refer to the Student Handbook, page 16.

45. Absenteeism Please call/email the Form Teacher if your child is absent. Upon returning to school, provide a • medical certificate or • letter with a valid reason (not to be used for Review Tests and Exams)

46. SUPPORT FROM PARENTS IS CRUCIAL Home-school Collaboration HELP US TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN

47. What can Parents do?

48. Communication • SNAAPP • Download SNAAPP mobile app • Teachers can message parents for • Quick updates • Reminders • Consent forms • If you have not downloaded, please take a copy of the handout for the instructions

49. Communication 2. Students’ Handbook • Platform for communication with parents • Parents should check the children’s handbook from time to time • Teachers cannot check every student’s handbook so may not get the message from parents immediately • Teachers will train the students to write their homework in the handbook

50. Communication 2. Email • Please give the teachers a lead time of 3 days to respond. 3. Phone calls • DID • General Office: For urgent message, please call the office and leave your contact 4. School website & Facebook • Regular updates