Activities in What’s Up:
• Fallen Letters – page 2
• Crowd Effect – page 8
• Write an Acrostic – page 10
• Simplify Your Personal Spaces – page 23
ACTIVITY IDEAS
for the June 2020 issue of What’s Up
COVID-19 REMINDS US THAT HUMANS ARE A SOCIAL SPECIES (page 1)
Circuit Breaker restrictions were hard because humans are inherently social beings. On the other hand, being socially inclined helps us to work together to survive COVID-19. A second story, “Once upon a time, people could get together like this” (page 7) looks at how well event organisers adapted to lockdowns, thanks to that indomitable human spirit.
I’ve been affected too! — For English & CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To promote introspection. Guiding questions for writing an essay about an event which the student had been looking forward to, but got affected by COVID-19.
Sharing Favourites –– English & CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To engage in the arts and exercise persuasion. Students (i) select and watch a show on the Esplanade website (ii) write a letter recommending it to a friend.
RACE PROTESTS IN THE US (page 6)
A look at why thousands have been holding protests as part of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Our sports feature, “Is there more than one way to win?” (page 17), adds food for thought by reflecting on basketball superstar Michael Jordan’s treatment of others.
The Golden Rule – For CCE & Social Studies, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To discover The Golden Rule many religions share. Students solve two word puzzles: (i) on 10 religions’ sayings and (ii) line from our national pledge. ✪ ⭐
Instagrams: As One United People –– For English, Art & CCE, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To experience contributing to racial and religious harmony. Students write and illustrate a couple of Instagram-type posts about being “one united people”. ⭐
WAS THAT A COMPLIMENT OR AN INSULT? (page 11)
A closer look at everyday racism (or casual racism), this reflection is presented as a friendly conversation with anecdotes. Has good advice for kids about reducing unintended insults.
Fix Insulting Compliments –– For English & CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To unpack harmful racial stereotypes in everyday speech. Each group discusses their own anecdotes of problematic “compliments” and how to fix them. ⭐
Make a Shared Promise — For English & CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Whole class activity. To commit to building community at school. Small groups list points for making school safe for all. The class then writes a pledge and presents it on a poster. ⭐
SETTING SAIL ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION (page 14-15)
In an incredible effort to educate about single-use plastics, sailboat Flipflopi is making its way along East Africa. Over 200,000 slippers decorate its body.
Trash to Treasure – For Art & English, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To experience upcycling. Students view some inspiring examples of upcycling, create their own upcycling projects, and write about it. Writing instructions given.
Flipflopi Building Guide – For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To sequence a list of actions clearly in the style of a guide. A worksheet for completing a list of steps required to build Flipflopi. ✪
Maths for Recycling – For Math, level 4 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To practice applying mathematics. Students solve problems based on properties of numbers, conversion of units of measure, rate, and proportion. ✪
HOW I DEFINE BEAUTY (page 18)
An inspiring talk by Winnie Harlow who, despite vitiligo, is now a supermodel. Along the theme of discrimination, “Speak with an accent? So, does everyone else!” (page 19) tells the story of the recent fiasco about pronouncing “Hadley” correctly.
First Person to Third Person – For English, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To practise switching from first to third person. Students write a profile of Winnie Harlow by converting first-person statements to the third person. ✪
I Define Myself – For CCE, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To demonstrate comprehension of stories. A worksheet of six multiple- choice questions referring to the story. ✪ ⭐
You’re beautiful! – For English & Art, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To personally define beauty. Guidelines for responding to a short video clip by (i) describing oneself positively and (ii) drawing a self-portrait. ⭐
✪ 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.
⭐ Activities suitable for Racial Harmony Day
