ACTIVITY IDEAS FOR THE OCTOBER 2019 ISSUE OF WHAT’S UP
WORLD MUST HELP REFUGEES RETURN TO A NORMAL LIFE (page 1)
A snapshot of the global issue of displaced people, with signs of hope that the over 70 million refugees will be able to gradually rebuild their lives.
Art Speaks to Me – CCE & English, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To respond to visual art and use it to communicate a personal message. Guiding questions for responding to this month’s Art to Heart in the context of the refugee crisis.
Crossword Puzzle – For English, Level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To engage more deeply in the story. Puzzle of 30+ words with easy clues. ⭐
Lessons of War — Social Studies & CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To gain insights about peace from history. Guidelines for examining possible lessons that five currently peaceful countries may have gleaned from past conflicts.
WHY POWERFUL GROUPS ARE BULLYING A SCHOOLGIRL (page 8)
A deeper look at why Greta Thunberg, the young activist for global action to slow down climate change, is the target of vicious attacks by climate crisis deniers.
Climate Change – Do I Know Enough? – For CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To engage with concepts related to climate change. A written quiz with MCQ and true/false items. Followed by a reflection on Greta’s experience. ⭐
Debate: A Double Bill — English & CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Whole class. To hone teamwork and debating skills. Steps for the class to prepare for and conduct two mini debates simultaneously. Two motions provided.
MESSAGES FROM THE MINISTER (page 9-11)
What’s Up interviews Singapore’s Minister for Education, Ong Ye Kung, for his advice to kids studying in our local schools. Mr Ong shares his insights on, for instance, success and failure.
Drawing on Failure – For Art & CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To communicating insights with creativity through cartooning. Guiding questions for developing an eight-panel comic strip on lessons learnt from an experience of failure.
Let’s Interview – For English & CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To encourage listening to diverse standpoints. Steps for drafting an interview guide and then conducting an interview on what success means to the interviewee.
BUILDINGS GO “CARBON NEUTRAL” (page 17)
Buildings around the world are being built to use as little energy as possible. And, 26 cities have signed the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment.
I Can Be ‘Carbon Neutral’ Too – For CCE, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To reflect on and respond to global issues on a personal level. A worksheet for taking stock of daily energy use and practical ways to reduce it.
FAKE CANCER CURES ON YOUTUBE (page 21)
False advertising of medical treatments and cures is a big problem on YouTube and other online media. Unlike television and newspaper regulations, the rules for other media are inadequate.
Believe It Or Not? – For CCE & English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To grow information literacy. By unscrambling words, students discover the various warning signs and methods they can employ to verify the truth of materials on the net. ⭐
Statistically Speaking – For Math, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To become more familiar with frequency and measures of central tendency. Students calculate the frequency, median, and mode of given words in the article. ⭐
⭐ 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.
