Please note that the What’s Up May issue is in two parts: Part I is digital, and Part II is in print. The digital stories will be at https://digital.whatsup.sg/ from 2 June 2020.
ACTIVITY IDEAS
for the May 2020 issue of What’s Up
DISCOVERING LOST CONTINENTS (page 7)
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Recent findings by geoscientists suggest New Zealand and New Caledonia were once part of the continent of Zealandia, and that there are microcontinents submerged in the Indian Ocean.
Shrinking Continents with Maths – For Math, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To apply mathematical concepts. Four problems on conversion from km2 to cm2, ratio to fraction, and map scales (distance and area). ✪
The Earth’s Moving Beneath Me! – For English & Social Studies, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To learn about tectonic plate activity. A gap-fill exercise with helping words. ✪
WHY ARE SKIES NOT BLUE? (page 8–9)
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Explains the beautiful sky colours of planets such as Neptune, Uranus, Earth, and Jupiter. Also, what happens with Mercury and planet LHS-3844B which have no atmosphere at all.
Imaginary Planets – For English & Art, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To visualise the unknown. After watching the short film The Planets, the student completes a worksheet about the film’s 12 imaginary planets, and creates one more.
If Clouds Could Speak – For English, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To construct imaginary dialogues. The challenge is to imagine clouds speaking to one another, first with a given scenario and then by drawing observed clouds.
A LOVE STORY FOR THE CORAL REEF CRISIS (page 10–11)
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Marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson shares her five reasons for loving parrotfish. Dr Johnson is a passionate trail blazer for ocean conservation, especially coral reefs.
Changing Registers – For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To understand the difference between informal and formal registers. Students convert extracts of the talk from an informal register to a formal register. ✪
INDIGENOUS WISDOM CAN HELP US ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE (online)
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Nomadic cattle herders in Chad illustrate the value of traditional knowledge. Along with science and technology, the indigenous wisdom of such peoples can help to protect planet Earth.
Traditional Wisdom – For CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To be more aware about signs from nature used by many to predict weather and natural occurrences. Unscrambling words about these traditional ways by. ✪
Vocab Builder – English, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To strengthen vocabulary and syntax. Students (i) examine the use of given phrases from the story and (ii) use the phrases to form their own new sentences.
BANKSY’S ART (online)
DOWNLOAD Story 5A / DOWNLOAD Story 5B
About the mysterious graffiti artist Bansky who has a global following. “Famous artists who remain anonymous” examines why some artists do not tell us who they are.
Mural for Healthcare Workers – For Art & CCE, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To communicate feelings through the visual arts. The student creates a thank-you mural to express gratitude to healthcare professionals during this pandemic.
Banksy’s Note – English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To enjoy creative writing. Taking Banksy’s standpoint, the student is to write a note to students at Bridge Farm Primary School where Banksy left a mural.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE SUMATRAN RHINO? (online)
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Takes stock of international rhino conservation efforts. Poaching and habitat loss have been driving them closer to extinction, but there is still hope for saving some rhino species.
Making Laws to Protect Animals – For English & CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To experience law making for real-world problems. Pretending to be a legislator, the student crafts two laws to protect wildlife from being over-hunted.
The Poacher, The Ranger, and Me – For English & CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To realise that each of us is unique but also like other people. A Venn diagram for pinpointing commonalities and differences between poachers, forest rangers, and the student. Followed by a question for reflection on the results. ✪
DANCING WITHOUT LEGS (online)
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Dancer Kat Hawkins loses both her legs at 19, and goes on to not only dance again but also run an inclusive dance company where disabled persons perform with the nondisabled. An inspiring read.
Art’s Healing Power – For English and CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To appreciate the power of art in our lives. A worksheet for (i) reflecting on Ms Hawkins’ relationship with dance and (ii) sharing about a favourite artform.
Dancing Crossword – For English, Level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To engage more deeply in the story. An online interactive puzzle of 25 words with easy clues. At https://digital.whatsup.sg/ from 2 June.
SEEING EXTRAORDINARY IN THE VERY ORDINARY (online)
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This month’s “Art to Heart” has artist Linda Yew making a case through her intricate artwork and letter to readers that, if we look hard enough, we can see beauty all around us.
Seeing Beauty in Water – For Science & Art, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To see beauty in the ordinary and be creative with it. Steps for (i) studying shapes made by water in its different forms and (ii) repurposing a container, decorating it with the theme of water shapes.
A Toy Story – For English & Art, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To write a short story from an unconventional point of view. The student (i) answers questions based on an extract from The Velveteen Rabbit and (ii) sketches a favourite toy, describes a memory associated with it, and write a short story from the toy’s viewpoint, entitled “The Day I Became Real”. ✪
Scavenger Challenge – For CCE, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To practice staying focused while attending to visual details. A relaxing and enjoyable solo scavenger hunt for 20 small items that fit the descriptions given in the worksheet.
✪ 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.
