Activities in What’s Up
• Contest: Working Together – page 17
Activities at ideas.whatsup.sg
The world must stop making too many things from single-use plastic (page 1 & 28)
A simple explanation about why experts disagree on how to regulate plastic production and protect ocean biodiversity. Further illustrating the harm that plastics cause is “Ghost nets are haunting the ocean, trapping and killing marine life” (page 7). “Once polluted, Kamikatsu is now Japan’s first “zero-waste” town” (page 23) shows us that positive change is possible.
A Proposal: Eco-friendlier Students – For English & Science, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To articulate a proposal for fostering more eco-friendly students. Based on the ghost nets and Kamikatsu stories, every student fills an organiser about the Guardians of the Sea. They then work in groups to develop brief proposals for ways in which students can contribute to the schools’ efforts to be eco-friendly. ⭐
Selangor Forest Park: A showcase of early forest restoration (page 10-11)
Celebrating Selangor Forest Park which is now a World Heritage site. “A cemetery that is alive with wild creatures” (page 16) and “Living green” (page 22) illustrate that humans can live harmoniously with nature. With a pinch of humour, “Tee & Boba” (page 28) extend this idea when the most unexpected zero-waste recyclers turn up after the National Day celebrations.
A Flipbook: From FOMO to JOMO — For English, Art & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Whole class activity. To better value looking for a dark cloud’s silver lining. Based on the Tee & Boba comics. Using the template, each student illustrates and captions a disappointing experience that went from “fear of missing out” (FOMO) to “joy of missing out” (JOMO). The class compiles the pages to form a flipbook. Individually, students reflect on the compilation.
Adopt a 3Rs Pet — For CCE & Science, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To enjoy expressing creativity when being eco-friendly. This is not your typical 3R activity. The twist is that the student selects an item to be re-purposed and treats it as if it were a pet. Complete with an adoption certificate and care instructions. The underlying notion is that environmental stewardship works better when we personally care.
A king’s beautiful palaces are added to the World Heritage list (page 12)
An inspiring read about the palaces of Bavaria’s King Ludwig II. Shifting gears to preserving natural heritage are “A museum full of dinosaur poop!” (page 9) and “Preserving dead animals helps us tell their story” (page 17). “Is Christianity “Western”? Most Christians today live in Africa” (page 13) is an art historian’s child-friendly article about the dominance of euro-centric religious images despite most Christians living in Africa and the gradual shift to include other cultures. Shifting to heritage footwear, “Famous designer brand borrowed humble sandals without asking” (page 18-19) is about Prada upsetting Kolhapuri chappal makers and other Indians by copying their traditional designs without acknowledgement.
Memories in a Box — For Art & English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To explore capturing memories in the style of Joseph Cornell’s assemblage art (as an alternative to taxidermy). Part A: Learning more about taxidermy and a local practitioner. Part B: An introduction to Joseph Cornell’s assemblage art, and how to make a personal memory box.
Kolhapuri Crossword (online) – For English, level 1
Individual exercise. To engage more deeply in the story. Puzzle of 20+ words with easy clues. At https://digital.whatsup.sg/ from 26 August. ⭐
Tiny electric cars are changing how people commute in cities (page 8)
An interesting read about China’s popular small electric cars. Then, taking off into the air is “Frozen in flight” (page 14-15), a photo essay of award-winning photos of flight.
Flight Paths – For Sciences, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To explore basic aerodynamics. After watching a video of bird-flight styles, students (1) make two types of paper planes following instructional videos (2) test their planes and record data in the given table (3) offer concluding remarks based on their data.
My Cinquain: From Wings to Words – For English & Science, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To compose a flight-themed poem. Guidelines for composing a cinquain inspired by the “Frozen in flight” photo essay.
An Advert for Our Mini-EV – For English & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To enjoy exercising imagination to visualise a new and improved electric vehicle. Each group (1) lists Zuo’s feelings about her mini-EV (2) designs an improved mini-EV (3) develops an advertising poster or PowerPoint slide following prompts (4) presents it to the class. ⭐
Gout Gout: Say hello to the sprinter who could be athletics’ next superstar (page 25-26)
The world is holding its breath to see whether this Australian teen can recreate Bolt’s magic. Meanwhile, there will surely be lots of magic ahead as “Harry Potter’s wizarding world is coming to television” (page 19) — we focus on how the child actors keep up with real-world studies. Part of our favourite comic characters, “Dragon Ball’s Goku is a manga megastar” (page 27) highlights ways in which he is a role model for young fans.
Superstar Athletes – For English & PE. level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To better appreciate sports stars’ good qualities. The student (1) lists the strengths of Gout Gout and Usain Bolt based on the What’s Up story (2) identifies qualities athletes need to excel (3) composes a brief essay about a Team Singapore athlete. The class enjoys a Gallery Walk of the essays. ⭐
Legendary Shoes – For CCE & Art. level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To express creativity in designing. To warm up, the student responds to prompts about Gout Gout’s success and reads quotes of some famous athletes. With a given shoe outline template, the student decorates a pair of sneakers to accentuate the values embodied by Gout Gout and favourite sportspersons. The design, with a brief description, is then presented to the class.
Freeze the Fight! – For Art. level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To explore drawing a manga hero in action. After viewing a video on basic karate moves, the student (1) selects and freezes a frame from two given clips showing martial arts moves (2) follows instructions in a tutorial video on depicting action in comics (3) draws a character in action and describes the scene (4) presents it to the class.
How Japan reinvented itself after the shame of World War 2 (page 6)
Describes Japan’s creative comeback onto the world stage with incredible soft power. On a more personal level, “Walking to make friends” (page 20-21) is about soft power as well, featuring a mother-daughter duo in Britain, and a young woman in Uganda. Also about initiating friendships, “Fitting In: First hellos” (page 24) reflects on three ways in which new students start conversations (or don’t).
Let’s Connect in Person! – For English & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To strengthen face-to-face social interactions. Using the walking-with friends and fitting-in stories, the student (1) lists how walking has helped Jacqueline Asiimwe, Chole Tam, and Ying Tsui make connections with others, and the pros and cons of meeting people virtually vs in-person (2) follows tips for inviting a schoolmate to recess activities to get to know that person better (3) reflects on the experience. ⭐
⭐ 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.
