Activity in What’s Up
• Contest: How will the story end? – page 17
Activities at ideas.whatsup.sg
EARTH’S NEW SPACE-TIME TRAVELLER (page 12-13)
Our centerspread is a photo essay of what the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope can do. With a side bar, “Telescopes in history”. Closer to Earth, “Getting around without touching the ground” (page 22) on hoverbikes may soon be a common reality.
Time-travelling Telescope – For English & CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To better appreciate differences in perspectives across generations. The student (i) completes a cloze passage about telescopes (ii) reflects on an extract from The Little Prince about children and adults sometimes thinking differently (iii) completes an illustration of a faraway planet (for looking back) and a nearby plant (for looking forward) by imagining they are using a “time telescope”. ⭐
CITIES’ ROOFS ARE GETTING FRESH LOOKS (page 18-19)
See how flat rooftops are being maximized more than ever before. Side bar “Roofs in Singapore” gives examples here. On the ground, with permaculture, “New farming methods use traditional wisdom” (page 21) to optimise farmland. As for our seas, read the sidebar, “Restoring ocean upwelling”.
Close the Loops – For Science & English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To better understand the concept of closed-loop systems. Students complete a word search puzzle. The catch – each clue, with only the first letter given, illustrates a closed loop. ⭐
Aquaponics in a Jar – For English & Science, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To learn about aquaponics. The student (i) reflects on the value of permaculture (ii) watch a video on large-scale aquaponics (iii) follow steps given in an infographic to create an Aquaponics in a Jar. ⭐
PULAU UBIN: NOT JUST AN ADVENTURE ISLAND (page 20)
This month’s Fast Forward takes us to this much-loved rustic island’s past and tells us why it is a living museum now.
Five Senses Writing – For English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To apply “show, not tell’ descriptive writing using the five senses. Students pick one place in Ubin and write a multisensorial description. Given: an example to illustrate the technique.
If Henri Matisse Could Paint Pulau Ubin – For Art, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To express creativity following Henri Matisse’s art style. Th student draws the shapes of 12 things that may be found on Pulau Ubin, watches a video teaching Henri Matisse’s “Painting with Scissors”, and emulates his style to create a picture of Pulau Ubin.
WATER SOLUTIONS (page 8=9)
Read about young changemakers’ efforts: “Girl with a mission in India” (page 8) about Garvita Gulhati’s projects; and “Using plants to recycle water in Kenya” about Mshila Sio’s (page 9).
Crossword (online) – For English, level 1
Individual exercise. To engage more deeply in the story. Puzzle of over 20 words with easy clues. Online at https://digital.whatsup.sg/ by 23 August.
Be Part of the Solution – For English & Art, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To apply design thinking and creative expression. Guiding questions to create content and design a poster to remind all at home to conserve water.
Empathy Shoes – For English & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To develop empathy, strengthen imagination, and practice oracy. Each group selects one of eight characters and presents what a day in the life of that person might be like.
Water Ceremonies – For English & Social Studies, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To gain deeper understandings of the symbolic use of water. Each group gathers and presents information about any three local religious traditions that use water.
ISLAND’S PEOPLE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT THIS FEATHERED BEAUTY (page 14)
Conservationists are working closely with local people to save the little Rimatara lorikeet in French Polynesia. Meanwhile, despite the current turmoil, wildlife protectors carry on undeterred (see “One hundred new species for Myanmar”, page 11). And, “Women oyster harvesters of the Gambia” (page 15)— and even the mangroves) — are benefitting from progress on that front.
Rimatara Lorikeet Rescue – For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To enjoy decoding a secret message. Using the key provided, a coded message is to be deciphered. ⭐
Synthesis and Transformation – For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To practise creating complex sentences. Students rewrite sentences using a variety of sentence structures ⭐
Create a Seamless Print – For Art & Science, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To incorporate animal observations into print art. The student (i) answers questions after watching a video on ant-keeping (ii) sketches different types of ants or black birds (iii) follows instructions to use the sketches in a seamless print pattern.
⭐ Answers to these activities will be emailed to teachers on the IDEAS mailing list. To join the mailing list, please email your name, designation, and school to ideas@whatsup.sg.
