8/3/2015

1

PARENTS’ BRIEFINGON

PRIMARY THREE ENGLISH

Presented on 7 March 2015

STrategies for English Language

Learning And Reading

Aims to move EL learners towards

independence using authentic texts and

learning activities that motivate and engage

different learners

STELLAR

8/3/2015

2

3

The The The The STELLARSTELLARSTELLARSTELLAR VisionVisionVisionVision

Children who

�love reading and

�have a strong foundation in the English Language

English Language Learning is achieved through:

☺ vocabulary learned in booksvocabulary learned in booksvocabulary learned in booksvocabulary learned in books

☺ expression of thoughtsexpression of thoughtsexpression of thoughtsexpression of thoughts in oral

and written forms

☺ discussionsdiscussionsdiscussionsdiscussions with other children and

the teacher

☺ informal peer interactionpeer interactionpeer interactionpeer interaction

4

With With With With STELLARSTELLARSTELLARSTELLAR …………

8/3/2015

3

PAPER COMPONENT MARKS DURATION REMARKS

1Continuous Writing

20 50 mins

Choose one of 2 qns

2Language Use and

Comprehension50 1 h 15 mins

3Listening

Comprehension14 About 30 mins

Picture-matching, Note-taking & Comprehension MCQ

4Oral Communication

16About 11 mins (5 mins prep)

Reading Aloud &

Stimulus-Based

Conversation

TOTAL 100

P3 EL Semestral Assessment Papers

Paper 1: Continuous Writing Paper 1: Continuous Writing Paper 1: Continuous Writing Paper 1: Continuous Writing (Choice 1)(Choice 1)(Choice 1)(Choice 1)

Write a story of at least

100 words based on the

pictures. Give the story

your own ending.

8/3/2015

4

Paper 1: Continuous Writing Paper 1: Continuous Writing Paper 1: Continuous Writing Paper 1: Continuous Writing (Choice 2)(Choice 2)(Choice 2)(Choice 2)

Write a composition

of at least 100 words

about a good deed

that you had done.

� Vocabulary – focus on topics (e.g. describing feelings, people, actions) rather than themes (e.g. fire, accident)

� Easy access to dictionary/thesaurus

� Encourage your child to write; focus on content rather than language

How You Can Help Your Child

8/3/2015

5

• Grammar Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

• Vocabulary MCQ

• Grammar Cloze (with helping words)

• Comprehension MCQ

• *Synthesis

• *Visual Text Comprehension MCQ

• *Comprehension OE (with varied answer forms)

*new

Paper 2: Paper 2: Paper 2: Paper 2: Language Use & ComprehensionLanguage Use & ComprehensionLanguage Use & ComprehensionLanguage Use & Comprehension

• Focus on comprehension skills and strategies– Sequencing, Using contextual clues,

Locating and retrieving accurately, Referencing, etc

– Ask:

• What happened first? What happened next?

• Which word in the story has the same meaning as…?

• Retell in your own words.

How You Can Help Your Child

8/3/2015

6

• Don’t give too many answers away; get your child to infer– Using a combination of what you child

already knows and contextual clues found in the text

As I walked into the classroom, I noticed Phillip reading a small red book. Just as Susie returned, he quickly placed the book on her table and went back to his seat.

Q: Who owned the little red book?

How You Can Help Your Child

Paper 3 (Listening Comprehension)

• Focus is on whether the child has understood the text and can select the best answer out of all the options/distractors

• Tip: Pupils should learn to visualise what has been said

8/3/2015

7

Stimulus-based Conversation

– Stimulus is a springboard for conversation

– Total of 10 marks

– Assessing speaking skills; Increased emphasis on expressing oneself clearlyand effectively during a conversation

Paper 4: Oral CommunicationPaper 4: Oral CommunicationPaper 4: Oral CommunicationPaper 4: Oral Communication

(a) Look at the picture. These fruits can be found in Singapore and many other countries in Asia.

• Which of these fruits do you like to eat and why?

(b) Teachers and parents often tell you to eat more fruit and vegetables every day.

• Why do you think they would like you to eat more fruit and vegetables?

(c) Name the vegetables you like to eat and those you do not like. Tell me more.

Local Fruits

8/3/2015

8

How You Can Help Your Child

� Identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses in fluency, enunciation and pitch (practise makes perfect)

� Use online dictionaries to check correct pronunciation

• Encourage your child to express their opinions and justify with reasons

• Use real-life, authentic scenarios

• Get your child to make connections to themes/topics once they see a picture

• Practice with school’s resources

How You Can Help Your Child

8/3/2015

9

STELLAR needs Parents’ SupportSTELLAR needs Parents’ SupportSTELLAR needs Parents’ SupportSTELLAR needs Parents’ Support

• Home supportHome supportHome supportHome support – help your child learn English by providing English language reading materials at home.

• Activate child’s interestActivate child’s interestActivate child’s interestActivate child’s interest – show your child that you believe learning English is both enjoyable and useful in your daily life.

17

• Role model Role model Role model Role model –––– use of Standard English

• UnderstandingUnderstandingUnderstandingUnderstanding – English language learning requires frequent exposure to listening, speaking, reading and writing opportunities and activities rather than use of worksheets alone.

18

STELLAR needs Parents’ SupportSTELLAR needs Parents’ SupportSTELLAR needs Parents’ SupportSTELLAR needs Parents’ Support

8/3/2015

10

• Explore the resources and tips on the STELLAR website:

www.stellarliteracy.sg

19

How you can help your childHow you can help your childHow you can help your childHow you can help your child

Encourage Your Child to… Read, Read, Read!

� Physical libraries

� Online libraries- E-Resources:

National Library Board (www.nlb.gov.sg)

8/3/2015

11

• Helping your child learn more interesting words by thinking of new words to replace known words, for example, ‘big’ –huge, enormous, large, gigantic, etc.

• Getting your child to retell a story to you in his or her own words

• Suggesting that your child give a different ending to the story read

21

Some language activities you can do Some language activities you can do Some language activities you can do Some language activities you can do with your child include…with your child include…with your child include…with your child include…