Tuesday, May 31, 2016

A Busy Mum's Cheat Sheet: Composition Writing Made Easy eCourse by Big Ideaz Education (Review + Giveaway!)

I recently had a chat with a friend who shared wisely reading and writing should not be seen as "work". How true that is. As one who is in the early childhood industry, I would love for children to have more time to acquire the love for the language naturally and by naturally, I mean to read to and read, many many times over, with them. 

Alas, things are somewhat different when children enter mainstream school. Though tests are now called holistic assessments (which are basically tests broken down into bite size assessments and last over a span of 4 – 5 weeks!), end of the day, marks are still given and the papers are still graded. I have previously blogged about my thoughts on composition here



Creative writing is a skill which needs to be wielded like a sword; to mesh different materials together using a variety of tools and techniques. With Primary 2 being an important year for her (the school will be streaming them into different classes), Dumpling has expressed an interest to learn more and hone her writing skill and we were blessed to have the opportunity to review a Composition Writing Made Easy eCourse by fellow mummy blogger - Hui Ing. 

:: The eCourse 

This eCourse spans over 8 lessons covering a range of techniques which includes:
  • Writing a good introduction
  • Describing events and problems
  • Creating suspense, etc. 
What you need:
The eCourse is pre-recorded where you will need a working laptop / PC, internet connection and printed course notes. The page / materials are easily available with a simple log in where the each lesson focus is very clearly titled. 


What it entails


Each lesson comes with 3 components

  • A pre-recorded video clip (which lasts about an average of 8 mins elaborating on each of the topic)
  • Comprehensive course notes as well as 
  • Weekly assignments



Hui Ing, in her videos, reminds the children weekly to print the course notes and have them ready before she starts. The files for the weekly course are all in PDF where it maps back to the videos and the students makes the connection with the video viewed and attempts the questions on the spot.

(The above are all discussed in the video and Dumpling would pause the video to fill in the blanks)

So basically, for each lesson, the children are to watch a video, complete the notes and then work on their weekly submissions and then submit the work. Submission can be via a scanned  PDF file / good quality jpeg file. The turnaround time for Hui Ing is 3 working days. 

:: Our assignment

Dumpling is not familiar with the new PSLE format though she is attempting 4-picture compositions in school. With the new PSLE format, the good thing is that it allows for more imagination and creativity but the concept can be a tad "abstract" for the younger children or for children who are not articulate as they may lack the vocabulary and skill set to elaborate on the essay. 

The below is a portion of Dumpling's writing assignment from Lesson 3 and Hui Ing's comments. (Lessons 1 and 2 were focused on introductions so I am not sharing here.)



:: Our thoughts and experience

A busy mum's cheat sheet!
Being a FTWM, my worst enemy is time. It is hard to schedule my time and send Dumpling for classes in addition to her already busy schedule peppered with CCA, Art, Violin, etc. So this course is like a busy mum's cheat sheet as it works like a dream. It allows us to work on things anywhere and yes, the kiddo can even watch the video on my iPhone too! How's that for mobility? 

(Print screens of the video clip from my iPhone!)

The kiddo went through the first two lessons like a tornado as she found it to be really useful. Hui Ing was able to bring the point across in a short and succinct manner for e.g. using acronyms such as "SAFE" to prompt the children to be more intentional in their attempts at writing direct speech (elaborated below).

The marked paper was also sent back within 3 working days promised where she requested for a final draft to be sent back to her. :)  

:: What I like about it:

No memorising of fabricated phrases
In my opinion, Hui Ing made some simple but sharp suggestions on Dumpling's essay. In one of the holiday workshops that Dumpling has attended (and apparently at a rather "famous" writing enrichment centre), Dumpling shared that the teacher wrote some "power phrases" on the white board and the children were told to choose from the list to use it in the composition. She hated that. 

With Hui Ing's comments, as you can see, there was none of those. Hui Ing basically worked with the children's essays and guided from there. In the weekly course notes, examples of good phrases / vocabulary are given but she also requests for children to add on to the list to build up their own phrases / vocabulary bank. 

With Dumpling's compositions, the issue is not on grammar or on the vocabulary. As her stories tend to run a bit long, she sometimes does not elaborate enough on the "climax" / problem and Hui Ing was able to pick that out and zero in from there. Thereafter she gave a suggestion to guide Dumpling in her thought flow. In her email reply to Dumpling, Hui Ing was very encouraging too and I could see that was a confidence booster for the kiddo. 

Systematic approach on framework
The eCourse outline is well thought through and well planned. The lessons are systematic and the content short yet crisp. It has a very strong focus on helping children to get the framework right. 

For e.g. some of the courses which I have come across use the 5W and 1H approach. This I find, may be too generic for young children. In the children's writing, they could have all these 5W and 1H information but the story may not engage. In essence, the story does not draw the readers in. 

With Hui Ing's suggested "introduction" approaches and using acronyms to guide the children, it gives a framework where it becomes more intentional. For e.g. SAFE stands for Speech Action and FEelings and with such a technique, it helps the children to focus better when they are using direct speech, where the writing and thought process take on a more intentional and systematic approach. 

:: What Dumpling likes about it

"I like the lesson because there are lesson notes which are useful for me to refer to when I am writing. The videos are cool ~ I have never had e-lessons before. There are certain phrases and tips which I did not know and they were useful too." 

:: What the eCourse is NOT

The eCourse is great for the working mums as you can view the lesson anytime, anywhere. Having said that, there is support needed from us parents. For Dumpling, I had to support her in guiding her initially on this format and of course, we will also need to ensure that the children do their assignments and then send it back for marking.

The process of writing intertwines with other aspects of English such as grammar and vocabulary. While some of these will surface in the writing, essentially, this is a composition writing course and may not be able to deal with root problems such as poor grammar where the kid may not understand some basic grammar rules.

Lastly, like all things, practice makes perfect. The student needs to work on this consistently to be able to see an improvement over time. 

:: Extra, extras!
Keen to learn more? You can read some of Hui Ing's students' work here.

Now that you have read about this eCourse, I am pleased to share that Hui Ing will be starting a new enrollment for July! And best of all, I have a give away for 2 readers worth a total of $400!

Just take part using "Rafflecopter" below!


:: Terms and conditions:
1) The prizes are not transferable and they cannot be exchanged for cash.

2) Only entries via Rafflecopter are valid. 

3) Answers to the question via rafflecopter (What is the most challenging area in the coaching of your child's writing process?) MUST be listed in the comment box below to qualify. Please remember to leave:
- your child's age
- your name &
- your email address in the comment box too. 

4) The eCourse is for the advanced Primary 2 students to struggling Primary 5 students and lasts over 8 weeks (2 months).  The course commences in July 2016. 

5) Closing Date of Giveaway: 16 June 2016, 2359 hrs.

6) Winners must respond to my email within 48 hours otherwise, they will be given to another winner. 

7) The giveaway is not endorsed, associated with administrated by Facebook. 

Note: Hui Ing only accepts up to 10 students per eCourse intake. So if you cannot wait for the giveaway results, please add your name to the eCourse wait list here

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored giveaway. We were invited to review the eCourse so that we can give our opinions about it. We are not compensated for the post. All opinions expressed are entirely ours. 

:: About Big Ideaz Education
Big Ideaz Education is the brainchild of former MOE English Teacher Hui Ing. Big Ideaz Education provides resources for Creative Writing & Composition, Writing Workshops & Online Writing Courses for primary school children.  

The Composition Writing Made Simple eCourse is designed for Primary School students who are beginning to write compositions for examinations. It is targeted at Primary 3 and 4 students but is also suitable for more advanced Primary 2 students as well as Primary 5 students who are still struggling with the basics of composition writing. The course focuses on writing compositions based on the new (2015) PSLE format.  You can subscribe to Big Ideaz Education's mailing list here to receive the latest tips and news!

This is an ongoing series on documenting my learning and Dumpling's Primary School journey

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram 

43 comments:

  1. My son reads quite widely and his teacher says he has a big vocabulary of words for his age. However, it is frustrating to get him to pen down his thoughts in writing assignments as he is not able to elaborate on his ideas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Child is 8yo, Mary H (maryh_77@yahoo.com)

      Delete
  2. The most challenging area in coaching my child in composition writing is that she lacks creative ideas in conveying her story in her writing. This indirectly made her sort of dislike composition writing to a certain extend.

    Age of child: 8
    FB Name: Ruby Lee
    Email: rubytok@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. My child has challenges building her stories and is seen to have a weak vocabulary bank.

    Age if child: 8
    Lennie hong
    Rebbymum@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. The most challenging area in coaching my child in composition is that he just can't express himself in words. He is afraid that he will write out of topic. Thus, focusing on the picture he is confined by his vast imagination.

    - 8 years old
    - Chai Ooy Mei
    - chai.ooymei@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. The most challenging area in coaching my child in composition is she is weak in construction sentences using connector and also lack of vocabulary words bank.

    8 years old
    Kelly See Toh
    kelly250577@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  6. The most challenging area in coaching my child in composition is making the story interesting and get her ideas on paper in a smooth flow.

    8 years old
    Evelyn Hu
    Xuelyn@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. My challenge is getting my child to expand his thoughts. Somehow, laziness gets in the way or he gets distracted too often.

    - 8 years
    - Alicia
    - aliciawee@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  8. My challenge is getting my child to expand his thoughts. Somehow, laziness gets in the way or he gets distracted too often.

    - 8 years
    - Alicia
    - aliciawee@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  9. My challenge is stamina. The story usually starts well but ends very abruptly when they lose interest.

    - 7 and 8 years
    - Sally
    - sallyting22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. My challenge is to get him to write more details and expressions for the characters.

    Age: 8 years old
    Name: Irene Fock
    Email: puffish03@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. My child doesn't understand the techniques of writing. His ideas n vocabulary doesn't get translated into paper

    8yrs
    Ng Su Yin
    Ngsuyin2001@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  12. My child tends to write lengthy sentences and the most challenging is to get her understand the technique of writing story that is simple yet capture the reader attention and score on the compo.
    8 yrs old
    Debbie Ng
    Debbiengyl@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. My child tends to be very brief in her writing. She is unable to give more body and details to her story.

    8 years old
    Joanne Loo
    Jaspire@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. My boy is an avid reader, however, he faces difficulties in penning down his tHoughts and ideas on paper.

    8 years old
    Mikki Teo
    Etoilebb08@Hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. My challenge is to get my child to write in sentences that are not too long (ending up as runaway sentences).
    7yo

    ReplyDelete
  16. My child has problem elaborating her points while keeping to the main story line.

    8 years old
    JJmom Choo
    JJmom2008@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  17. The most challenging part is to get my child improve on her storyline.

    9 years old
    Amie Chen
    amycpj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. My son is an advanced reader. My challenge is getting him to create captivating plots and interesting characters by using richer vocabulary which he already knows.
    8 years old
    Edwina Tan
    edwina.tan@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. The most challenging part is that the word of usage in terms of vocab and grammar and tenses. hope this can help him as he's in p5 this year.
    Age:11
    Adeline
    Adaline21@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. To be honest, my challenge now is that I have my hands full with a 7 month old baby! My daughter is an avid reader but I think she needs help in weaving her thoughts into a cohesive plot.

    8 years old
    Felicia Tan
    feliciatan12@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. My biggest challenge is to develop his story with relevant content and emotive vocabulary. His storyline lacks feelings and hence unable to interest readers.

    9 years old
    Sebastian
    irenelek@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. My most challenging in the coaching of your child's writing is to tell stories that have emotions. She write factually with not much depth but I believe this is something that will get better as she reads more.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Most challenging would be to get her to be more creative in her storyline and elaborate on her sentences.

    Megan 8 yrs old
    Elizabeth De Cruz
    Elizabeth_decruz@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  24. My son writes interesting content but the challenge is in good sentence structure.

    Jocelyn
    weejoce@gmail.com
    10 years old

    ReplyDelete
  25. For me, wrting compo is challenging enough. I do not know how to teach as my english is not good enough. My girl only marginally passed her compo since P3.

    Shannon Lee
    Jas_goh@yahoo.com.sg
    11 years old

    ReplyDelete
  26. My boy is not keen in reading nor writing. Although the school do guide them from mind mapping to sentence construction to Compo writing but the story is too brief without much substance. I tried sending him for Compo writing class but he refused to attend after one session. I see hope after reading your post!

    Jennychua12@gmail.com
    Rex Nah
    8 years old

    ReplyDelete
  27. My greatest challenge is getting him to write. He gets stunned and have a mental block if he has to write.
    dominiquegoh(at) gmail(dot) com

    9 yrs old

    ReplyDelete
  28. My greatest challenge is my girl's ability to concentrate. She keeps on getting distracted!

    Sofia (almost 5 years old)
    ssarone@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. My child reads widely, and is almost never without a book. However, he detests writing and would always choose to give the briefest of answers possible.

    child's age: 8
    name: Aileen
    email address: aileenster[a]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. The biggest challenge is my son's vocabulary is limited and he likes to use simple sentences in his essay.

    Child's age : 9
    Zoey
    chanzoey8@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. The toughest part is getting started, structuring his thoughts, staying focused and persevering in the writing till the end. I know, that sounds like the entire writing process. Sigh....

    cmeilim@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. The challenging part is trying to teach my child how to link her ideas, and to be discerning on what links and what doesn't.
    Child's age ~ 8
    Carolyn
    Caro_311@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. My challenge is to get my child to learn the technique to write. He doesn't like to expand on his description and tends to be brief on his sentences.


    Child's age - 8yrs old
    Judy
    Judyfoo@me.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. My child likes to read comics only and drags his feet when asked to write a composition. My biggest challenge is to get him interested to write a decent one.

    child's age - 9 yo
    my name: Sharon Tan
    my email address: sharontanlo88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. My challenge is getting her to brainstorm and link up her ideas coherently.
    child's age: 8 yrs old
    Angie
    simplymommie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. My girl is an avid reader. Her challenge would be to create plots with substance and writing sentences that show and not tell. Her writing is very "flat" - she keeps things too safe and simple.

    Child's Age: 9
    Caihui
    Chlim13 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  37. My girl has trouble building a good story and needs help with sequencing and expressing her thoughts in sentences that flow well and are not disjointed.

    Your child's age: 11
    Alicia
    writelightright@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  38. Too many ideas in a story and it doesn't flow coherently.

    Child age 9
    Steven
    Kadenteo@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Will love to win n try! Thanks for having this give away!

    ReplyDelete
  40. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you for your articles that you have shared with us. Hopefully you can give the article a good benefit to us.Primary 5 English Class


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  42. It employs digital tools and interactive resources to engage students, making learning more dynamic and effective.

    Read more: PSLE Exam

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