Activities in What’s Up:
• Contest: Hidden Heroes – page 02
• How To Use Your Eyes – page 15
• Contest: Mystery Lantern – page 20
• Where Can An Elephant Hide? – page 23
Activities at ideas.whatsup.sg
BILLIONAIRES BLAST OFF ON SPACE ADVENTURES (page 01)
About the landmark Branson and Bezos space missions this month. “At last, a plucky pilot gets to fly to space” (page 08) is about the world’s oldest astronaut, Wally Funk.
Astronaut Crossword (online)– For English, level 1
Individual work. To deepen reading comprehension. Puzzle of 20 words with easy clues. ✪
Empathy Shoes – English & CCE, level 3 – 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.
SINGAPORE’S GREEN SPACES THROUGH THE AGES (page 14–15)
A student’s experience of the NLB exhibition, Human X Nature. Highlights include the minutely detailed 19th century scientific illustrations.
A Martian’s Sketchbook – For Science & Art, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To experience attempting scientific illustration. After watching a how-to video, the student attempts to draw and label details of an ordinary object from a Martian’s standpoint. ✪
Biodiversity Matters – For Social Studies & Science, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To be more aware of biodiversity loss. Students determine whether biodiversity statements are true or false and give reasons. Provided: online resources. ✪
HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVED IN ANGKOR? (page 16–17)
The authors, an archeologist and an anthologist, describe their high-tech investigation methods. An inspiring child-friendly read.
Methods of Discovery – For Social Studies, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To appreciate the methods used by archeologists. After viewing a video, students answer two questions about eight given methods. ✪
Visualising Angkor – For English & Social Studies, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To respond to state-of-the-art depictions of ancient civilisations. Each group selects a page from the Visualising Angkor Project’s two digital publications and, with the help of prompts, presents the group’s response to it. With spectacular 3D images, animations, and 360 videos, the project is a collaboration between Monash University and SensiLab.
TEE AND BOBA (page 17)
We launch a new comic strip about a couple of adorable hamsters that are classroom pets.
TREE Chat: All About Pet Care – For Art & English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To use the TREE strategy to grow conversations. Students (i) imagine and draw what happens next in the Tee and Boba comic strip and (ii) have a conversation on pet ownership using prompts and the TREE strategy.
Unlikely Friendships – For CCE & English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To be inspired by unlikely friendships. Students (i) watch a video about a handicapped dog and a chicken, (ii) list pairs of things that are different but compatible, and (iii) complete a poem based on the theme of Unlikely Friendships.
ANTI-HEROES WHO STEAL THE SHOW (page 18–19)
A thoughtful look at why some anti-heroes steal the show. Starring Loki, Cruella, and Gru.
Anti-Hero Saves the Day– For English & CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To grow vocabulary defining character. The student fills an A-Z table with adjectives describing a hero and a villain. After responding to prompts about a book/movie’s likeable anti-hero, the student writes a short story with an anti-hero protagonist.
AUDIENCES ARE SLOWLY RETURNING TO LIVE SHOWS (page 20)
The easing of COVID restrictions has allowed audiences around the world to return to live events. While this is good news for the economy, there are grave concerns as well.
Watching NDP: TV vs In Person – For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To practise expository writing. Students are to write a journal entry comparing watching NDP live with watching it on TV. With guiding questions.
NAOMI OSAKA’S BATTLE WITH THE MEDIA (page 21)
Osaka’s refusal to speak to the media gives us the opportunity to examine how the relationships between superstars, fans, and the news media have changed because of the internet.
Dear Naomi – For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individuals. To practise letter writing. Students write a letter to Naomi Osaka sharing whether they support her decision or not, and why. ✪
THE ELEPHANT THAT WENT MISSING (page 22)
With animal shows becoming unacceptable, the fate of older show animals is a concern. Dumba, a much-loved circus elephant, illustrates the challenges. “Elephants on the march” (page 23) is a short story about a family of elephants that has people guessing where they are headed.
Game: Elephant in the Middle – For English & Social Studies, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Whole class. To develop convincing arguments. Two teams (one representing the Kludskys and the other for animal activists) present points for where Dumba should live. With an attractive game board depicting the tug-of-war for Dumba. ✪
✪ 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.
