Activities in What’s Up
• Contest: Find Frenchie – page 21
• Contest: What will your life be like in 20 years? – page 24
Activities at ideas.whatsup.sg
OCEAN WONDERS (page 1)
Along with the lead in on our cover page, use “The ocean needs protection” (page 13), “Ocean zones” (14–15), and “How and why some sea creatures light up” (page 16) as resources for World Oceans Day 2023. This year’s theme is “Planet Ocean: Tides are changing”.
Sea Creatures Crossword (online) – For English, Level 1
Individual work. To grow vocabulary and reading comprehension. A 20-word puzzle with easy clues. The crossword can be accessed at https://digital.whatsup.sg/2023/05/sea-creatures-crossword/ ⭐💠
Sounds from the Ocean – For Music & English, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Whole class activity. To experience looking to ocean life for inspiration. Each group choreographs and presents a dance or music-and-movement item celebrating World Oceans Day. 💠
ARTivism Colouring – For Science & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Whole class. To enjoy colouring as an activity enabling deep thinking. While colouring the free downloadable pages of “A Creative Colouring Companion to Help Save our Seas”, the class reflects on the booklet’s content about oceans 💠
Let’s Write an Article – For English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To practice report writing. The student (i) notes down relevant points from the articles (ii) organises the points into the given structure (iii) comes up with a headline (iv) writes an article for a school newspaper 💠
THE KUNG FU NUNS OF NEPAL (page 25)
The Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery in Nepal is promoting peace by changing their community’s views about gender roles and making life better for families in distress. In contrast, “People suffer as armies fight in Sudan” (page 6).
Fearless One — For English, Art & CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To convey with creativity the spirit of serving others. The student (i) writes a summary of the article (ii) designs a logo (iii) responds to two reflective questions. ⭐
WOLBACHIA: A POWERFUL WEAPON AGAINST DENGUE (page 8)
Explains how male mosquitoes infected with a harmless bacterium are helping to fight against dengue. Health is also very much at the heart of debates about nuclear energy as “Germany shuts down last nuclear power plants” (page 7).
Colourful Idioms – For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To explore the use of idioms for effective communication. After giving the meanings of the eight listed idioms, the students construct sentences with them. ⭐
SPORTS: 20 YEARS OF CHANGE (page 26-27)
Looking back on the world of sports, this is part of our “Where are they now?” special series marking 20 years of What’s Up. Looking forward is also good to do, as Tee and Boba (page 28) do.
Letter to My Younger Self – For English & CCE, level 3 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To grow wisdom by applying hindsight. A guided exercise in using hindsight to write an encouraging letter to the student’s younger self. Provided: an example.
Contest: What will your life be like in 20 years – For English & CCE, level 2 DOWNLOAD coming soon
Individual work. To practice projecting into the future. A worksheet for drafting an entry to the contest (see Page 24).
Vocab Builder – For English, level 1 DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To strengthen vocabulary and syntax. Students (i) examine the use of given phrases in the story, and (ii) use the phrases to construct their own.
To Be or Not To Be – For Art & English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual and group work. To explore career options based on their interests and personality. The student (i) does the RIASEC Test assessment tool (ii) lists down some possible career paths and shares with a friend (iii) watches a video of 20 unique careers (iv) works in a small group to create an imaginary news article.
PAINTING WITH PLANT PIGMENTS (page 18)
The ancient practice of using plant parts for paint is still alive and well. “Japan’s cherished cherry blossoms have a long and colourful history” (page 20–21) reminds us that nature in its full glory is the ultimate masterpiece.
Colours from Plants – For Art & English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To explore the use of plant-based paints. An experiential lesson about the colour wheel, colour palettes, and primary to tertiary plant-based paint colours.
Cherry Blossoms 101 – For Art & English, level 2 DOWNLOAD
Individual work. To appreciate the diversity in artistic expression. The student (i) completes a gap-fill passage (ii) paints a cherry blossom in 5 minutes (iii) learns about ukiyo-e and its influence on Van Gogh’s cherry blossom art. ⭐
⭐ 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 the international World Oceans Day (8 June 2023)
