Dear teachers,
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle for Singapore, the February issue of What’s Up offers stories that you can use as Total Defence teaching resources. All of eight pages cover how and why people here remember World War 2. The details are given below. In addition to this special section, you’ll find our usual variety of stories about science, technology, sports, culture and other current affairs. They are a testament to the heights humans can reach when peace reigns. Read on for a sampler of the stories with their activity extensions.
Sincerely,
Mary George and the What’s Up team
THIS MONTH’S IDEAS ACTIVITIES
Remembering World War 2 (page 1, 6-13)
“Why we should remember” is an interview with Education Minister (School), Ng Chee Meng. “How we remember” follows with stories about: artist Amanda Heng’s I remember project; the 1946 book Chop Suey by another artist, Liu Kang; playwright Kuo Pao Kun’s The Spirits Play; school principal Benedict Teo Kah Leng’s 1955 poem I Found a Bone; and two 1958 Malay language movies on World War 2, Matahari and Sergeant Hassan. You can also read about Peter Chiang’s hobby of scale modelling World War 2 vehicles and dioramas, and British archaeologist Jon Cooper’s discoveries at Adam Park. The section culminates in a time line, along with five reasons for commemorating the war.
Essay Contest – For English and CCE, Level 2 Individual exercise – DOWNLOAD
To make meaning of war. The second contest in this series, its focus is on remembering the Battle for Singapore. The entry should be a response to any one of the stories in the special What’s Up section on World War 2. Deadline: 20 March 2017.
Like a Prickly Pear Cactus – For CCE and Science, Level 1 Pairwork – DOWNLOAD
To become more aware of commonalities and differences with other living things. Using Linda Yew’s Art-to-Heart and a Venn diagram, the two students chart what each has in common with the other as well as the cactus.
Debate – For English and Social Studies, Level 3 Whole class activity – DOWNLOAD
To develop critical thinking and verbal debating skills. A debate format where all students can participate. The motion: That global peace is only a fantasy.
Heritage Hero: Som Said, choreographer (page 17)
This second instalment in the series focuses on the experiences of Singapore’s most well-known Malay dance choreographer, Som Said. An inspiring read.
Word Find – For English, Level 1 Individual exercise – DOWNLOAD
To strengthen figure-ground perception, and to grow vocabulary. Puzzle of 15 hidden words, followed by an exercise in categorising the words by nouns, verbs and adjectives. *
Heritage Recipe: Cereal Cookies – For CCE and Social Studies, Level 1 Individual activity – DOWNLOAD
To experience cookery as a form of preserving heritage. Simple steps for baking cereal cookies, an old-time favourite with local communities.
Rough ride across South America (page 18-19)
A photo essay taking us through the multi-vehicle rally that was held last month in South America. With it history of tough routes and emotion-packed victories, this rally salutes human resilience and the sheer love of adventure.
Doodling – For English, Art & CCE, Level 2 Whole class – DOWNLOAD RULES SHEET and WORD SLIPS
To experience using only nonverbal language and drawing to communicate. A relaxing game where teams draw clues and guess words, followed by reflection. Rules Sheet and Word Slips provided.
These jumping spiders are unique (page 20)
Six new species of jumping spiders have been named. Read about what sets jumping spiders apart. A side bar explains how new species are named within the scientific community.
Incy Wincy Spider – For Science & English, Level 2 Pairwork – DOWNLOAD
To develop a greater understanding of spiders. Students are required to unscramble a table of sixteen jumbled words and use them to do a gap fill, followed by an activity to discover more about spiders. *
Vocab Builder – For English, Level 1 Individual exercise – DOWNLOAD
To strengthen syntax. Students first examine the use of given phrases in the story and then, use the phrases to construct sentences of their own.
Tennis sisters to watch (page 22)
About how Serena and Venus Williams were coached by their father from young to become the tennis superstars they are today. The story examines the sisters’ experience of competing against each other in the recent Australian Open singles final.
Mapping: Sportswomen – For Social Studies, Level 1 Individual exercise – DOWNLOAD
To become more familiar with locations of nations. On the given outline map, students plot and label the countries represented by each of ten female Olympians. *
Plan to Succeed – For CCE & English, Level 3 Individual activity – DOWNLOAD
To encourage the belief that each person can succeed no matter what the circumstances may be. Using slogans to emphasise how the Williams family dreamt and planned to succeed, followed by a personal commitment to succeed.
The return of Federer gives joy to tennis fans (page 23)
Roger Federer’s first grand slam title in five years speaks volumes about grit, focus and humility. Read about the strategic changes he made when none other than Stefan Edberg started coaching him.
Comebacks Despite Setbacks – For English & CCE, level 3 Whole class – DOWNLOAD
To encourage positive attitudes towards setbacks. A fun game of tennis ball fight through which individuals share instances how setbacks were changed to comebacks.
Empathy Shoes – For English and CCE, Level 2 Groupwork – DOWNLOAD
To develop empathy, strengthen imagination and practice oral presentation skills. Each group selects one of ten characters provided and presents what a day in the life of that person might be like.
* Answers to asterisked 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, or fill the form on the front page of this website.
Your feedback on this month’s offerings
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