In What’s Up
• Contest: Keeping in Touch (page 21)
Activities at ideas.whatsup.sg
New international rules will help protect the ocean from big dangers (page 1 & 28)
A brief about UN’s BBNJ Agreement that Singapore, along with 133 others, has signed. “Beautiful Maldives threatened by climate change” (page 11) and “The ‘Great Lego Spill’ and what it is teaching us” (page 9) remind us why the BBNJ is crucial. Our photo-essay, “The wonderful world of waterbirds” (page 22), is a glimpse at healthy ocean life that deserves protection.
Beak Clues – Science, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To appreciate birds’ adaptation to meet basic needs. A simple matching exercise of seven common birds’ beaks with the types of food they eat. Followed by a reflection of how the beaks help the birds with feeding. ⭐
Create Art with Bird Calls – Science and Art, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. The student (1) watches a video of Andy Thomas’s artwork which is inspired by bird calls (2) listens to a recording of birds in their natural habitats (3) creates abstract art in response to two of the birdcalls (4) shares the art with the class. Classmates try to guess which bird calls inspired each piece of art.
The A-bomb anniversary reminds us that nuclear weapons must never again be used (page 6)
shares the history and how the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is being commemorated. Meanwhile, post-war independence stories include “The Gambia: overcoming hard times” (page 10).
Also 60, Gambia Crossword (online) – English & Social Studies, level 1
Individual exercise. To hone reading comprehension. Word puzzle with 25 easy clues. Will be available by 28 July at https://digital.whatsup.sg/.
More electric vehicles means more digging for nickel (page 8)
While EVs are applauded for emitting less polluting smoke, nickel mining for their batteries harms the environment. More on the environment, “Why the city is hotter than nature parks (page 7) explains why global warming is felt more in some places than others. Today, we grapple with climate change, but the quest to understand nature is an old one. Even “Mythical dragons may have helped our ancestors explain the natural world” (page 18).
Impact of Nickel Mining — For English & Science, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To be aware of the impact of mining on people and the environment. The student fills an organiser about the positive and negative impacts of nickel mining. They then brainstorm what can be done to minimise the negative impacts on local people and the environment. Groups present their proposed action plans to the class. ⭐
Staying Cool — For English & Science, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To teach and learn about staying cool in hot weather. Individually, students list Singapore’s plans to address urban heat. In five groups: each group selects a different heat-related illness from the menu, watches a video about its focus illness, prepares a simple demonstration on administering first aid to a casualty, and enacts it. ⭐
Zubir Said: the man who loved music – and his country (page 12)
As we celebrate SG60, we salute the composer and lyricist of our National Anthem. And, applaud Lyla Ng in “A young busker spreads joy through music (page 23).
Origins of Majulah Singapura – NE & Social Studies, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To appreciate the origins of the national anthem. After watching a short video about Zubir Said, the student answers questions about the National Anthem. ⭐ 
Sounds of Our Singapore – Social Studies, Music & English, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To respond to local soundscapes through artistic expression. Each group (1) keeps a week-long log of at least 60 sounds they hear (2) answers reflection questions on what some of the sounds mean to them (3) creates either a soundscape collage recording or writes a creative piece about the sounds. They share their work to celebrate SG60. 
It’s Showtime! – For English & Music, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To experience being a singer-songwriting busker. Each student uses the story to list what it takes to be a busker. In groups, they compose lyrics to a familiar tune, practise singing the song for the class, and perform as buskers during recess in the canteen. ⭐
Old wisdom helps water flow in Catacocha again (page 13)
A historian turns to indigenous people for guidance to successfully bring back ancient ways of water harvesting in Ecuador. Fast forward to “How a new way to arrange kitchens changed lives” (page 16), also through ingenious designing. A third article about changing practices is “The roti: food that went viral before there was social media” (page 17).
Designing Classroom Layouts – For English & Math. level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To use a systematic approach for designing a classroom. Individually, students detail how the architect came up with the Frankfurt kitchen layout. In groups, they design a new classroom seating layout by following a three-step process to create a simple floor plan. With the permission of the teacher, students rearrange the classroom following the layout that received the highest votes, field test it for a week, and identify its pros and cons. ⭐
Tennis’ newest rivalry gets fans excited (page 27)
A look at the thrilling new rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Shifting gears to playfulness in everyday life, “Time for play” (page 25-26) is a heart-warming photo essay of UNICEF’s efforts to promote play. “Big, beautiful balloons” (page 14-15) at the Pop Air exhibition currently in Singapore is providing a lot of fun too.
Our Favoutite Rivals – English & Drama, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To explore the concept of rivalry. Each pair (1) responds to questions about Alcaraz and Jannik as exciting new tennis rivals (2) identifies their favourite fictional rivals from books/ movies and explain why they like them (3) creates two imaginary rival characters (4) develops and enacts a two-minute scene which ends happily between their characters. ⭐
Fitting in: You CAN be yourself (page 24-25)
This time, Fitting In examines Dheng’s dilemma of whether to dress like his friend group even if he doesn’t like it. In contrast, “Garfield: the cat who always comes out on top” (page 20-21) appears to have no such concerns. “The mysterious attraction of Labubu” (page 19) extends the theme that perceptions of being attractive are subjective. Then, there’s “Tee & Boba” (page 28) once again offering a teachable moment about perceptions of the self and other.
Embracing the Imperfect – CCE and Art, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To apply the principles of the Japanese art of Kintsugi for exploring imperfection. After watching a video, each student lists three imperfections they notice in Garfield and why people still like him. Each group then (1) watches a video about Kintsugi, and reflects on a quote from it (2) makes something beautiful out of something broken and articulates the message they want to convey through their art. Followed by a gallery walk.
Seen, Heard, Loved – CCE & English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Whole-class activity. To grow self and other appreciation. Extending from Boba’s existential mini crisis, this is a three-part activity. (1) Students complete an “I See Me” graphic with self descriptors. (2) The class conducts a Round Robin where students write brief affirmations about their classmates using an “Others See Me” template. (3) Drawing on the first two parts, students write appreciation letters to themselves, following given prompts.
⭐ 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. Suitable for celebrating SG60.
