Activities in What’s Up
• Contest: About Green Humour – page 17
• Contest: Comforting a Friend – page 21
• Fallen Letters Puzzles – page 24 & 27
Activities at ideas.whatsup.sg
SOUTHEAST ASIA GETS SET FOR HEAT AND HAZE BROUGHT BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND EL NINO (page 1, 28)
Starting with a focus on our region and then to the world at large, more stories follow to promote environmental stewardship: “Rapid response to a powerful storm” (page 6–7), “Climate change and cyclones” (page 7), “How cyclones are named” (page 7), and “Coping with rising temperatures” (page 9).
Dear El Nino – For Science & CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To grow self-awareness by articulating thoughts and feelings about climate. The student imagines talking to El Nino through a letter and shares it with the class.
Vocab Builder – For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To strengthen vocabulary and syntax. The student (i) examines the use of given phrases in the story, and (ii) uses the phrases to construct their own.
STUDENT STARTS COMPANY TO HELP WOMEN”S SMALL BUSINESSES GROW (page 8)
About Maanya Singh’s efforts to help disadvantaged women to launch startups in India. Another story about starting small and growing big is “Little trains, big dreams: world’s biggest model railway” (page 22) about Miniatur Wunderland in Germany.
Pointillism: When Big Things Start Small — For Art & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To experience small-to-big progression through the use of pointillism in art. First, the order in which Maanya proceeded is used to demonstrate progression. Then, detailed steps are given for applying pointillism to create art. ⭐
Show-Not-Tell Writing — For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To practice using rich, thick descriptions. The student is hand-held through a show-not-tell sequence of describing an imaginary visit to Miniatur Wunderland.
HAMBURGERS UPSIZE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. CAN BETTER FARMING METHODS HELP? (page 11)
About regenerative cattle farming. In the same spirit, Tee & Boba (page 28) have a go at planting seeds.
Nuts About Seeds — For Math & Science, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual activity. To practice problem solving and experimentation. The student is challenged to (i) solve a math problem (ii) experiment to determine ideal conditions for mung bean sprouting. ⭐
Greenest Burgers Ever — For English & Art, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To enjoy creating infographics for effective communication. The student (i) responds to prompts for examples of techniques used in a given poster (ii) creates an infographic about a healthy burger. ⭐
SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN CAN HELP BRING PEACE TO THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD (page 12)
After being enemies for decades, there is now some hope that their relationship will improve. With side bar “Two great nations” giving background information about each. Meanwhile, “Thai people vote for change” (page 13) hoping to improve the current situation there.
JAM Campaign Speeches — For English & Science, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Whole-class activity. To experience just-a-minute (JAM) speeches as a mode of effective communication. Steps for each team to present three candidates for a mock presidential election at a fictional country.
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA (page 13)
Introduces this special habitat and is a lead in for Rohan Chakravarty’s centerspread poster “The Antarctic Peninsula” which names 64 sea creatures. “Artist gone wild” (page 16–17) is a conversation with the wildlife cartoonist himself. Then, meet Poornasmrithi Rumdali Rai who is “On a mission to rescue the Chinese pangolin” (page 17–18). With side bar “Pangolins in Singapore”.
Writing Profiles – For English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To hone writing skills. Based on two articles, guidelines for first summarising key points about a featured tree climber and then writing a profile of a wildlife cartoonist. ⭐
Making Friends with Our Blocks – For CCE & Art , level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To develop a more positive attitude towards challenges. A guided exercise (ii) examining how two individuals (a tree climber and a wildlife-cartoonist) handle challenges (i) using art and craft to symbolise accepting challenges as a part of life.
MEET THE TREE CLIMBERS (page 24-25)
Yu Yan Ling from China talks to us about tree climbing as a profession as well as a sport. With side bars “Tree climbing competition in Singapore” and “Climbing coconut trees”.
Tree-lined Heritage Roads – For Science & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual. To better appreciate the local heritage of tree-lined roads. The student completes a table with facts about three well-known roads. ⭐
WOMEN’S SOCCER IS FLYING (page 1)
About the upcoming women’s World Cup, this story is a lead into “World Cup: Can anyone tackle America?” (page 26) which looks at who might make it hard for the United States to win three consecutive Women’s World Cups. As exciting is the photo essay “Cycling in the sky” (page 27) about BMX athlete Kriss Kyle performing cycling stunts in a BMX bowl attached to a hot air balloon.
So Exciting! – For English & CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To enjoy using rich language to express emotions. An enjoyable activity that explores expressions of excitement.
Women’s World Cup Crossword (online) – For English & PE, 1evel 1
Individual exercise. To engage more deeply in the story. Students can access this online crossword at https://digital.whatsup.sg/ . ⭐
⭐ 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.
