Activities in What’s Up
• Contest: My Choice – page 25
• Fallen Letters puzzle – page 27
Activities at ideas.whatsup.sg
A SPECIAL ENCOUNTER (page 18-19)
Reflections on a visit to the Gunung Leuser National Park enlightens about forest etiquette and caring for the land. Birds in their world (page 14–17), with stunning images from the 2023 Audubon Photography Awards, explains why there is such an amazing diversity of birds.
Forest Etiquette: Do’s & Don’ts – For English and Art, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To learn about forest etiquette. The student creates a poster of Do’s and Don’ts for visitors to the Gunung Leuser National Park using words and simple signs or illustrations.
Being Politely Firm – For English and CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To practice using firm and convincing words. Students imagine that they are forest park guides at who have to handle difficult tourists. Given four scenarios, each group responds to prompts, discusses and role plays responses, and performs for the class.
What Bird Am I? – For English and Science, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Group activity. To learn more about birds. Each student uses the given clues in the worksheet to identify seven birds. The cards are used for a small-group game. ⭐
THE WORLD’S MOST LOYAL DOG TURNS 100 (page 12)
We revisit the story of Hachiko, an Akita that captivated the world with his faithfulness to his master 100 years ago. Side bars: “A history of dogs” and “Do dogs make more loving pets than cats?”. Catering to the huge market for pet products is “China’s pet pampering town”, Shuitou. Side bar: “Do pets need fancy toys?”
What Happened Next? — For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To make meaning of a story by sequencing events. Students arrange 10 given sentences in the order that they would have happened in Hachiko’s story. ⭐
Diamante Poem: Favourite Animals — For Literature & CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To hone poetry writing skills. A lesson in composing a diamante poem as a response to the story about Hachiko.
WHAT WAS UP IN 2003 (page 6-8)
What’s Up was launched in August 2003 — 20 years ago. We look at back at 20 other things that were trending that year.
Memories of Long-ago Trends — For English, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To practice developing and using 5W1H questions. Guides for developing a 5W1H interview guide which is used to gather information from older adults about three favourite trends mentioned in the story.
Flyer for a Timeless Favourite — For Social Studies & Art, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To apply design thinking for public education. After watching a video about local traditional drinks, snacks, and games, the student develops an attractive flyer promoting a modern version of a vintage item.
TOWN CENTRES: HEART OF A NEIGHBOURHOODE (page 21)
This month’s Explore Singapore takes us on a tour of the iconic Toa Payoh Town Centre. Followed by “My stuff: Tissue paper” (page 22) with more about the familiar around us. While traditional games are an interesting part of our regional heritage, who would have thought that “Traditional Spider Games may reduce arachnophobia” (page 24–25)?
Fun With Proverbs — For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To appreciate proverbs. A proverb completion exercise is followed by matching the proverbs with their meanings. ⭐
My Neighbourhood — For CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To apply observation and mapping knowhow. The student creates a map of his/her neighbourhood complete with a legend and accompanying brief write-up.
Pretty Scary? Spider Bookmark — For Science & CCE, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To experience using origami to become more familiar with spiders. The student (i) reflects on two quotes about overcoming fear (ii) writes about personal strategies for dealing with fears (iii) follows steps to create an origami spider bookmark as a reminder that looking for beauty in something can help reduce fear about it.
DANGEROUS HISTORIES (page 10)
A South African educator looks at the harm one-side history caused her country. Side bar “Who writes history?” explains why history books are sometimes one-sided. Meanwhile, “What railways and killer lions taught a young African about history” is about Chao Tayiana Maina’s success in more accurately re-storying Kenya’s history.
Different Lenses Shape History – For Social Studies & Art, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To gain a deeper understanding of the value of multiple standpoints. Each group creates a collage of every member’s memories of the same event. Groups reflect on and share with the class the differences and similarities of members’ memories. The class discusses the value of inviting multiple perspectives when writing up, for example, the history of their school. ⭐
HOLLYWOOD ACTORS AND WRITERS GO ON STRIKE (page 23)
Why thousands of writers and actors refuse to work until they are paid fairly by Hollywood’s big studios.
Sharing a Little Strength – For English & CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To experience combining personal values and strengths to help a cause/person. Using the provided graphic organisers, steps for listing personal strengths, values, and interests in helping others. ⭐
UKRAINIANS HAVE MIRACULOUSLY STOPPED RUSSIA FROM CONQUERING THEIR COUNTRY (page 1 & 28)
Ukrainians have fended off and even counter-attacked Russia to protect their beloved country. The story offers reasons for Ukraine surviving thus far. On a lighter note, Tee & Boba (page 28) show us that they too know how to weather an unexpected storm.
When Plans Turn Upside-Down – For English & Art, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To explore creating art that captures unexpected changes as they occur. Steps for a novel art experience where the pair starts with “A Beautiful Vacation” which evolves into “My Unexpectedly Beautiful Vacation”.
⭐ 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.
