Primary 4 A* Writing Lab

Programme outline

Coverage

Brainstorm effectively for good and relevant content ideas, and write coherent compositions with ideas that flow meaningfully and logically.

Learn to develop characters and use impressive writing techniques, opening hooks and literary devices, to write interesting and compelling compositions.

Expand vocabulary using Mind-Stretching vocabulary and creative phrases to express ideas well in Situational and Composition Writing.

Analyse and model after writing skills and techniques in our Mind-Stretching A* Model Compositions.

Components

Create interesting characters, settings and plots
Learn to use a variety of writing techniques and literary devices effectively
Analyse well-written texts and model after them

Broaden exposure to a variety of vivid vocabulary and figurative language
Learn vocabulary related to specific themes

Composition Pre-Writing – Exercises to discuss and built content knowledge about topics
Composition Writing – Brainstorming and planning content, utilising Mind-Stretching Vocabulary & Phrases and Model Introductions in compositions
Model Composition – Annotated with notes about the use of writing techniques and vivid expressions, and also includes Mind-Stretching Vocabulary & Phrases, Spelling List, Dictation Paragraphs and Short Writing Tasks
Spelling & Dictation Test – Spelling words or phrases are tested in context; complete sentences are given to show students how to use these spelling words and phrases correctly.
Students are encouraged to memorise descriptive paragraph(s) to reinforce learning

Practices to help students revise and apply the use of vivid vocabulary learnt in Composition Writing.

Teaches student to compose pieces of writing focusing on Purpose, Audience, Context, Tone and Format
Model Situational Writing – Annotated with notes on how to use techniques and vocabulary correctly to meet the requirements of the task

Lesson plans

Develop Essential Writing Skills and Techniques

Create relevant and interesting ideas and plots that produce intended effects on readers.
Use Vivid Vocabulary and Figurative Language

Learn contextual vocabulary and figurative language to describe characters’ appearances, emotions and settings effectively.
Reinforce Accuracy of Expression

Through analysing texts, learn the correct application of grammatical rules, structures and vocabulary to express ideas accurately.
Model After Mind Stretcher A* Model Compositions

Study how various writing techniques and expressions are used effectively to develop the topic fully and in an interesting way.

Assessment Checkpoints

Mind Stretcher's Checkpoints are run quarterly to simulate exam conditions, practice time management, and do papers similar to school assessments.
Student Progress Reports

Mind Stretcher's Progress Reports analyse strengths, weaknesses and benchmark students within our cohort, which is larger than a few schools combined!

Error Analysis

Analyse common student mistakes and concept misunderstandings, and learn how to avoid them.
Trending Questions

Stay abreast of questions set in examinations; we monitor and analyse trending question types and incorporate them into our revision materials.
Revision Notes

Comprehensive revision materials that summarises and reinforces important content for exam preparation.

Class schedules

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Course roadmap

Journey through our GEP & High Ability Growth course

At primary 1 and 2, students are developing basic skills in reading and writing. In order to help them gain confidence in acquiring these skills, our Budding Writer programme focuses on helping students build a strong foundation in writing clearly and accurately.

Students will learn to construct clear and grammatically-correct sentences, and generate interesting and authentic content through lively class discussions. They will also acquire Mind-Stretching vocabulary phrases, and learn to use relevant vocabulary to express ideas accurately. To reinforce learning, students will be provided model compositions to model after.

At primary 3 and 4, students are beginning to find a voice in their writing. They are also more eager to try new skills and techniques to make their writing more interesting. Our A* Writing Lab programme encourages students to move out of their comfort zone and experiment with writing creatively and well.

Students will practise applying writing skills and techniques effectively to write an interesting and compelling composition. They will learn how to edit their writing for clarity, effectiveness and interest value, brainstorm good and relevant ideas that address specific task requirements, and expand their repertoire of Mind-Stretching vocabulary to bring their writing to the next level.

At primary 5 and 6, students want to be equipped with skills that they can confidently apply in order to score in writing assessments and in the PSLE. They are passionate about engaging the readers and are ready to sharpen their swords to tackle various writing prompts.

Our PSLE A* Writer Programme is designed to give students an unfair advantage in writing and maximise their chances of scoring AL1-2 in the PSLE for their composition exams. We will consolidate the learning of various writing skills and techniques, so that students may apply this masterfully in a variety of writing tasks. Students will set clear writing goals and objectives to achieve specific purposes and engage readers, and analyse and model after best-in-class writing skills and techniques in Mind-Stretching A* model compositions.

Our testimonials

What our students & parents say about us

Mrs Shum is a very dedicated teacher. She has given me detailed feedback to improve my writing and her lessons are very engaging. I really appreciate the personalised feedback which helps me identify areas I should work on more. She goes the extra mile to share interesting facts every lesson which has helped expand my general knowledge in so many ways. With Mrs Shum's tips and MS Worksheets explaining how to master various components, I'm able to answer questions with greater confidence. Lastly, Mrs Shum cares deeply about our emotional well-being, and she always reminds us that trying our best is more important than the results.

Isabelle

I would like to thank the Chinese Language teacher very much for her effort, concern and encouragement for my child! He is very happy to be in her class and has enjoyed the Chinese Language lessons very much. He has tried his very best in the PSLE examination last year 2022 and his Chinese has improved. The constant encouragement from his Chinese Language teacher makes a difference and goes a long way! Thank you Mr Kuek and all the teachers very much who has taught him and shared during the online bootcamp and the webinars! We really appreciate the effort, time, love and understanding put into preparation of the examination booklets and materials and staying behind after the online lessons to answer the students' questions! Wishing all the teachers and staff a very Happy blessed year 2023 ahead!

Parents of U Hian

Dear Mrs Shum, thank you so much for all the guidance and support you’ve given me since i joined ms. Since i joined at a pretty late stage, i didn’t expect myself to acquire so much valuable knowledge that allowed me to learn English from a whole new perspective, as well as to perceive life in many different aspects. Thank you for always being so generous in sharing with us your personal experiences that engaged us during class, and making English such a fun subject for us explore the wonders of it! Thank you for taking the extra mile to further support me in English Literature as well, it really has been very useful!! It has truly been an eye-opening experience learning from you and I will remember these lessons as part of the unforgettable memories of learning in this subject❤️🥰

Rosanne

Mrs Shum is a caring teacher who is concerned about her students and their well-being. She has helped me improve in my English and has always been very caring towards me. She stresses on our mental health and has encouraged us a lot. Her teaching is amazing and i love how she shares interesting facts related to the topic we were studying and she exposed us to the basics of general paper too. To add, Mrs Shum gives specific feedback on our work which allowed us to know what we can improve on. The MS comprehension worksheets were also of great help as they allow me to know how to answer certain questions in a straightforward manner. Mrs Shum marks quite strictly which also further prepared me well for the O-levels where the marking is usually more lenient. As a result, I learnt how to do better and could gauge where i stand. Mrs Shum also made me realise that i was better in personal recount essays which allowed me to do well in the O-levels. Overall, MS worksheets were of great help and useful with specific tips and strategies. Thank you so much.

Sevvel Selvam

Hi Ms Mavis, I would like to thank you for the teaching. Your lessons are engaging and I can always focus on it. I still remember vividly your patience when answering all my questions. Even though I have a lot of questions, you still answer them using your best effort which I appreciate very much. You are a great teacher 👍 Thank you very much and wish you a great year ahead !

Tao Weiqi

Dear Mr Alvin, Just want to text you to say "Thank you for all you have done for all the kids! Elvyn scored AL6 for his 2022 PSLE!“ A special mention to Teacher Meili, Teacher Audrey, Teacher Ryan and 丁老师。Not only were they never annoyed by his endless questions and constant requests for ways to improve himself, they guided him and encouraged him to do more and better. We are so blessed to have met all of you! I had introduced friends to send their kids to MS and will surely help to promote MS in the future too!

Mother of Elvyn Ee

Hi Teacher Ryan, Ruoke has shown improvement in school. Her recent score in a school test was 18/20. Thanks so much for the nurturing. Her year end SA2 composition will be next week. Hopefully she can get a better score than SA1.

Parent of Li Ruo Ke

Thanks a lot, Ms. Christine for your message. I am Nidhi's mother. I do keep checking her work she brings back home and fo find a good improvement each time. Also she did significantly well in her SA1 creative writing exams as compared to the one a year before. Thank you so much for your guidance.

Nidhi Madhavan

Thanks a lot, Ms Christine! Haochen said he learnt many useful and good phrases, and he felt he sees improvement in his writing under your professional guidance!

Parent of Lyu Hao Chen

Thanks teacher, I realized his compositions have improved and some of his essays are now being chosen as Model essays in school!

Parent of Ye Htet Tun

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