Grade Two Already?

The start of the school year brings with it a certain sense of anticipation, of opportunity, of great things that could happen.

Beth and I have been preparing for this year, particularly in Jan, with lots of short random exposures to online general knowledge quizzes (she loves the history of Ancient Greece), assessment books and some hard thinking about what she can and should achieve.

For Math, the goal is to get her to memorize as much of the times table as she can manage. I know she probably compares dismally with her Sg peers, but I'm trying not to stress us both out. I just want to get her to a level where she can 'get it' and start to be more self-directed in her motivation and desire to learn.

For Chinese, we're continuing with the Werribee Chinese School, which this year has moved to Point Cook Community Centre, a much nicer learning environment than Glen Orden PS. I told Beth her Chinese school is located next to the new Point Cook library. She loves books, so a trip to the library will be one of the motivators for turning up to class every Sat and doing her homework, which from this year on will be required to be done daily.

I'm glad the WCS is starting to demand more of its students. There was a time when I was weighing up whether to continue with the school. Being a community language school, it caters to the middle (or even the lower spectrum, meaning those who come from non-Chinese backgrounds) and asks so little of its students, which of course translates into mediocre language outcomes. I even rang the Braybrook Xin Jin Shan Language School, but they don't have classes for Beth's age group. Pity. I might enrol Jordanne next year though, so that she gets a headstart in learning the language.

For music, Beth is starting her third year with Yamaha.

The old question of private-vs-group tuition is looming again, for a very practical reason. If she is to meet the entry requirements for a music scholarship, she must have at least a Grade 5 AMEB at Year 7. Working backwards, this is the year she should start on her AMEB. At the rate she is going, I'm not sure she is even equipped to sit an exam. She still struggles to sight-read and prefers to play from memory. When I try to teach her, she gets upset and I get exasperated and lose my temper. I keep thinking: why can't you focus? Why aren't you sitting up properly? What do you mean you can't read the music? A qualified, experienced teacher who loves working with kids would probably take a more positive approach.

Beth's after-school schedule is even more packed than 2009.
Wed - swimming
Thu - jujitsu
Sat - music and Chinese

Most of her classes are for an hour, except for swimming (30 mins) and Chinese (3 hrs!!). It's the driving back and forth that takes up so much time. But I shouldn't complain. I'm helping (I hope) to build my child's character, resilience, social and kinesthetic intelligence.