Supplementary Lesson 20 August - Group Work, Newspaper articles and IT

During our supplementary Science lessons today, we had a lot of activities. The first activity was a group activity whereby pupils worked in small groups. I showed them questions from an assessment book using the visualizer. Each group had to discuss and write their answers on the laminated board. We had a lot of fun.

After the MCQ group activity, I shared with my pupils newspaper articles on Global Warming. They had a better understanding about global warming and how it results in climate changes all over the world.

After that sharing session, I distributed a worksheet about Plant Parts. Using the website (lead.com.sg), pupils watched a flash animation and filled in the correct answers on their worksheets. I had tapped on the creativity of my pupils as they were instructed to draw a magical plant on their worksheets.

We certainly have an enriching Science supplementary lessons today.

Pupils, ask a science question and win a prize!!!

Dear pupils, here is a great opportunity not to be missed. I am sure that many of you have a strong passion in Science. There is a contest to win an international prize, simply by asking a Science question which could lead to a scientific breakthrough

This contest is organised by Molecular Frontiers Foundation. You can submit your science question by logging on to www.moleclues.com. The closing date for submission of questions will be April next year.

20 boys and girls with the most profound queries will attend the Molecular Frontiers Summit at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm next May, where they will receive prizes worth S$765, including a new wireless mobile device on the market, like an iPhone.

Regards,
Mr Terrance Ang

Examining a flower - Chrysanthemum or Orchid

On 14 August, we had a Science Activity on "Examining a flower". Each pupil was given either a chrysanthemum or an orchid. The activity in the workbook requires the pupils to paste the parts of the flower into the workbook. However, I stretched the ability of my 3-Caring pupils by showing them pictures of these flowers with their parts labelled. Hence, by examining their flowers and comparing to the pictures from the visualiser, they had learnt the various parts of a flower such as petals, sepals, anthers. They would be learning about this when they are in Primary 5. My pupils were also astonished to know that a flower has a male and female organs. Hence, from this lesson, they had learned that a flower does not only turn into a fruit, it has 2 sexual organs too. :)

Science Lesson on Plant System

On 7 August, we did an experiment where we put a lily plant into a bottle of coloured water. This experiment is to show that the stem of the plant transports water to other parts of the plant. Although our lily plant withered and died, we had learned many valuable lessons. Firstly, the plant died because I added poster colour into the water. As the poster colour contains oil and other chemicals, it resulted in the plant to die. A food dye (used for making jellies)should be used instead. In addition, a white rose would be a better flower to be chosen for this experiment as the flowers of the lily plant are coloured pink. Hence, any change of colour will not be obvious. The stem of the plant was cut and my pupils were given the chance to touch them. From this experiment, they have learned that the stem of the plant really transport water to other parts of the plant. :)

Science Lesson integrated with IT

On 3 August 2007, during the Science lessons, I show 3-Caring pupils a PowerPoint I created. I had placed some hyperlinks of websites illustrating different cycles of animals such as whale, cat, frog etc. Pupils were excited to learn more details about the life cycles of these animals. As a lesson closure, I had challenged my pupils to find out the names of the cells of a plant which transport water and food through the the plant. This activity caters to high-ability pupils who enjoy challenges. In addition, pupils who have the desire to learn beyond their level, would be delighted to know that they would learn about the name of these plant cells in Primary 5.

Pictorial English Comprehension, PowerPoint animation slides "The Brave Lion and The Tiny Mouse"

On 31 July 2007, during the English lessons with 4 Respect, we did a "Pictorial Comprehension". As most pupils in my class (especially those from the PRC) need more guidance in English, this approach is extremely useful for them. As we analysed the comprehension, sentence by sentence, I illustrated the flow of the comprehension passages through drawings. I am glad that my pupils could grasp the comprehension passage better. Most of them could even get all the questions correct. As a reward, I showed them my created PowerPoint slides entitled "The Brave Lion and the Tiny Mouse". They enjoyed the animation from the slides very much. I promise them I will show them other animation slides next time. :)

Art lesson - "My Singapore"

On 31 July 2007, during our Art lessons, we had a brainstorming about the significant landmarks and icons which represent "My Singapore". After my pupils had given me their responses, I showed them many colour-printed pictures of some landmarks. We had a gallery walk, whereby pupils observed the pictures and gathered ideas on how they could draw them . This Art lesson is in conjunction to the upcoming National Day. Happy 42th Birthday Singapore!!!