Learning, Laughter, and Logic: A Peek into Our P2 Class

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An Introduction to Kangaroo Study's Primary 2 Class

  

This Sunday, Kangaroo Study hosted an engaging open class for curious young minds and their families, led by none other than Teacher Smith — our Head of Primary 3 and lead instructor for the P2 Olympiad programmes.

         

            

For many of the attending Primary 2 students, it was their very first glimpse into the world of Olympiad-style learning — and what a captivating introduction it turned out to be!

               

         

Class Focus: A Deep Dive into Word Problems

              

Today’s open class focused on word problems — a key component in building mathematical thinking at the primary level. Among the many types of word problems, Teacher Smith introduced students to the classic “Chicken and Rabbit” problem, a fun and engaging puzzle that requires logical reasoning and basic arithmetic.

                 

To ensure every student grasped the concept, the problem was approached using three different methods, catering to a range of learning styles and encouraging flexible thinking. The lesson didn’t stop at just chickens and rabbits — students were also challenged with creative variations involving different animals and everyday objects, helping them recognize the underlying structure of the problem, no matter how it’s framed.

               

Throughout the session, students were clearly captivated by Teacher Smith’s humorous and engaging teaching style. With lively explanations, playful examples, and the occasional joke, he turned what could have been a tricky logic puzzle into a fun and approachable challenge. Laughter filled the classroom as students eagerly shared their answers, asked questions, and competed to solve each variation of the problem. It was a joy to see young learners so immersed — and having so much fun — while building strong problem-solving skills.

                     

Who is Teacher Smith?

   

Teacher Smith brings over four years of teaching experience in both Mathematics and Computer Science. This unique combination allows him to simplify complex ideas and transform them into digestible, step-by-step strategies for young learners.

As Head of our Primary 3 department, and lead teacher for P1 and P2 Olympiad programmes, Smith plays a critical role in helping students excel in GEP preparation, SASMO, SMKC, and other foundational competitions. Beyond technical know-how, he’s known for his ability to foster a vibrant yet structured classroom environment—balancing warmth, discipline, and active participation.

      

When asked why he chose to join Kangaroo.Study, Smith shared:

“I was truly inspired by the teaching standards and methods here. The highly interactive lessons push students to think critically and find solutions on their own. Even when they make mistakes, we support and guide them patiently—because we believe that real learning happens when students build confidence through discovery. That’s what I love most about teaching here.”

      

With such a strong foundation in both subject knowledge and classroom delivery, it’s no surprise that many parents choose to start their child’s Olympiad journey early under Teacher Smith’s guidance.

      

   

What challenges will P2 students face?
        

Starting from 2026, the selection round of GEP test will officially be removed. This means P2 students will no longer need to sit for the full two-round GEP selection process.

However, Round 1 screening will still remain, and may still be used by many schools as a reference for streaming students into different classes. That’s why it’s still important for students to prepare well and maintain a strong foundation early on.

     

           

How can we help students adapt better to the new phase of learning?

           

Based on the common expectations and learning needs of P2 students, our semester 2 course is specially designed with two main goals in mind:

1. Getting Ahead with Strategic Content

As students progress through the levels, the scope of maths gets broader, and the level of difficulty increases.

To help students stay sharp and confident when they go through the streaming phase in P3, we’ve preemptively introduced tougher P3 topics during P2 in a strategic and structured way. This would help build familiarity and give students a strong head start.

The topics highlighted in the chart below are the key topics we will cover during Semester 2.

     

            

2. Building a Strong Foundation for Word Problems

Word Problems play a major role in primary school maths, accounting for more than 40% of the GEP selection test. With such a heavy weightage, it's something we really can't afford to overlook.

In previous Semester 1 to June holiday classes, we’ve already covered multiple conditions, hidden conditions, and started on simple modelling techniques. Students have explored more advanced and interesting problem types, such as chicken and rabbit questions and logic-based word problems, which help them build strong habits in solving complex problems.

Now In Semester 2, we’ll deepen their exposure to classic word problems and introduce real-life contexts. This will sharpen their overall thinking and nurtures visual problem-solving skills.

This whole journey is designed to help students construct a solid foundation and framework for handling word problems effectively.

            

                  

What Set Us Apart

            

Kangaroo Study has specifically designed the following components to help children learn mathematics more effectively:

         

(1) Learning Habits

In the classroom, our teachers place strong emphasis on developing students' learning habits. They establish clear habit expectations and provide consistent follow-up guidance.

            

We also incorporate structured review practices into our teaching methodology to help students develop effective revision habits.

      

(2) Concrete Thinking Cultivation

Kangaroo Study designs interactive animated courseware tailored to each lesson's key concepts, incorporating hands-on activities. These dynamic materials transform abstract problems into tangible experiences, enhancing comprehension while boosting classroom engagement and sparking students' enthusiasm for learning.

        

(3) Cultivating Interest

Interest is the key driver of learning, it gives children the motivation to push further and reach new heights. At Kangaroo Study, we prioritize nurturing students’ interest in mathematics.

  

Hands-on practice is the best way to spark interest.

To transform math from dull and abstract to engaging and fun, we bridge the gap between children and math. Our teachers use real-life examples to explain concepts, showing how math applies to everyday situations. For instance, fractions and percentages are taught through shopping discounts, helping students appreciate how math originates from—and enriches—daily life.

     

A sense of achievement keeps interest alive.

Sustained interest requires continuous small wins. Through our QPSM teaching method and guided problem-solving, students independently tackle challenges, gaining confidence and pride in their progress. To reinforce this:

Encouragement-based teaching: Teachers provide positive reinforcement.

Reward system: Classroom performance and quiz scores earn points, redeemable for prizes.

Tangible progress: Kids see and feel their "learning results," fostering a love for math.

Kangaroo Study makes math exciting, rewarding, and deeply satisfying!
                       

Course Syllabus And Class Schedule

Interested parents may scan the QR code below to contact Teacher Zhang Tao or Tr Smith directly for registration or further inquiries.
Teacher Zhang Tao: +65 8038 2563

Teacher Smith: +65 8069 8165

         

We look forward to welcoming your child on this exciting learning journey!