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Let's
prepare ourselves
Clement Radcliffe,Contributor
At
the outset, let me welcome you all
to the new study guide series for
this school year. After the significant
efforts made during the last school
year to realise improvements, I have
noted that the improvement has not
been significant. This is so despite
the fact that the mathematics examination
was less challenging this year. I
implore you to join me in studying
together during this year. Please
be assured that the material to be
presented will go a far way in supporting
your efforts.
It
is important to remind you that mathematics
is not a subject to fear, but rather
one which will bring you immense pleasure
as you learn the various concepts
and solve question after question.
In assessing students' performance
in the past, like many other examiners
I am of the view that too many students
are ill-prepared for the examination.
We also feel that papers have been
quite straightforward and hence better-quality
results should have been achieved.
Experience
has confirmed that weaker students
wait until it is too late to begin
adequate preparation. Studying maths
is quite unattractive to these students
so they postpone their involvement
as long as they can. Let me remind
these students that they can begin
by emphasising the recall and method
levels (recalling of facts; also doing
calculations and applying methods,
e.g., simultaneous equations). Problem
solving can be developed later with
practice.
To
have you adequately prepared for the
external examination, I urge you to
get the following materials:
1.
Syllabus
This
will inform you of the following:
- Structure
of the examination
- Details
of specific objectives, etc.
The
syllabus is available at schools or
the Overseas Examinations Office in
Kingston.
2.
Textbooks
You
may select from any of those available
on the market. You should use the
one with which you are most comfortable.
3.
Notebook
A
hard-cover book or folder is recommended.
Students must ensure that work done
throughout the course is kept together
so that it may be reviewed at any
time. The recommended format for each
topic is as follows:
Topic:
Date:
Brief
notes
Examples:
You should ensure that the working
is correct.
4.
Past paper questions
Available
in book shops.
5.
Resource materials
- Media
publications, for example, weekly
CXC study guides in the Youthink,
the popular publication by The Gleaner
Company.
- A
wide variety of books of model answers
which are also available on the
market.
6.
Instruments
Mathematical
instruments and a calculator which
can be used in Paper 02.
This
is a comprehensive list of the materials
which are required and must be used
regularly.
To
all tutors of mathematics, let me
remind you to motivate your students.
Motivation is the most effective approach
in dealing with a student's fear of
mathematics. This strategy requires
the continued efforts of both parents
and teachers and may be achieved through
the following:
- Constant
encouragement
- Offers
of rewards when earned
- Gentle
persuasion where necessary
- Firm
insistence that they stay the course
when there is evidence of tardiness
- Ongoing
involvement in the practice of problems
of increased level of difficulty
- Constant
review of topics done in the lower
forms.
Of
those listed above, practice is the
most important strategy. The careful
selection of questions should result
in some success. This will build the
self-confidence of the students as
they attempt more difficult problems.
I
wish to use the opportunity to commend
those students who have done well
in their examinations. I suspect that
it was those who were diligent in
their preparation who did well. To
those who were unsuccessful, there
is still another chance. You may wish
to register now for the 2010 January
sitting of the examination.
As
you are no doubt aware, the mathematics
examination has two papers, as follows:
Paper
01 -60 multiple-choice items
Paper
02 - essay-type questions
Please
attempt the following multiple-choice
items:
1.
26 - 33
(a)
3
(b)
8
(c)
27
(d)
37
2.
If 5n is an odd number, which of the
following is an even number?
(a)
5n - 2
(b)
5n + 2
(c)
5n + 7n
(d)
5n - 1
3.
41/2/16
(a)
1/8
(b)
1/2
(c)
9/32
(d)
1/4
4.
23.96 x 0.25 is approximately:
(a)
0.6
(b)
2
(c)
20
(d)
0.06
Once
again, I wish you all the best as
we embark on this important journey
together.
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President
of the Junior Chamber International
of Kingston, Dwayne Gutzmer
(left), and programme officer
for the National Commercial
Bank Foundation, Anna Kim Robinson,
present Sean Smith, who attends
the Majesty Gardens Basic School,
with classroom supplies at a
treat hosted by the Junior Chamber
International of Kingston, in
celebration of its 50th anniversary.
The treat was held at the John
Levy Community Centre in Majesty
Gardens, St Andrew, on Sunday,
September 6.
- CONTRIBUTED
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Clement
Radcliffe is the principal of Glenmuir
High School in May Pen.
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