ACTIVITY IDEAS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 2019 ISSUE OF WHAT’S UP
FUNERAL FOR A DEAD GLACIER (page 7)
As a stark reminder of global warming’s dire effects, Iceland held a funeral service for a huge 700-year-old glacier that has been reduced to a patch of ice.
Informal Letter Writing — For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To practise informal letter writing. Students write an informal letter to a relative about why it is important to reduce global warming.
Celebrate Peace Day 2019 — For CCE & Social Studies, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Whole class. To explore responses to growing peace locally. Guidelines for a whole-class discussion about ways in which kids can contribute to peace within their social spheres.
FIRE DESTROYS BANGLADESH SLUM (page 8)
A fire in a Bangladeshi slum during the week of Eid al-Adha has left thousands affected. The article gives a glimpse into the challenges of slum life there.
Let’s Talk about Poverty — For English & CCE, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To promote oracy and empathy. Each pair is to write and deliver a speech about how kids can help families in poverty.
Teaching Kids Fire Safety — For English & CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To use creative writing and art for educating kids about fire safety. Each group is to develop and present a fire-safety picture book for lower primary students.
HUNTERS OUTFOX WILDLIFE AUTHORITIES (page 12–13)
Why a fox-hunting ban in Britain is not working. Accompanied by the “Wild Canids” poster showing a wide variety of foxes and other animals in the dog family, and a side bar defining fox-inspired words such as outfox and foxtrot.
Animal-linked Words — For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To appreciate etymology and figurative language. Students are to list five animal-linked words, give their meanings, and form original sentences using them.
JAM for Canids — English & Science, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Whole-class activity. To experience giving just-a-minute (JAM) speeches. Each student presents, in just a minute, a tribute to any of the many canids shown in the centerspread.
Help Protect Animals — CCE & Science, level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To better understand how to care for all living things. A checklist of suggestions for learning about animals, spreading awareness, and deeds feasible for kids.
FLORIDA’S SNAKE INVASION (page 14)
The Burmese python’s arrival has upset Florida’s wetland ecosystem. The article explains the effect invasive species have on the delicate balance of nature.
Breaking Down Sentences — For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To understand how sentences are formed. Students deconstruct five given complex and compound sentences into simple sentences. ⭐
SAVING THE BEES (page 19)
We applaud the people of Bavaria for proactively trying to save bees. This article explains the critical role bees play in farming and ensuring biodiversity in the wild.
A Bee Campaign — For English & CCE, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To raise awareness about the importance of bees. Students are to plan a campaign about bees, and why we should emulate the spirit of the Bavarians.
Numbers Tell Stories — For Math & CCE, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To communicate through numbers. Gap-fill: writing numbers in numerals, and percentages. With a reflection question on Bavaria’s global contribution. ⭐
The A-Bee-C Connexion — For Science & English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To become more familiar with environmentalism terms. Students (i) provide the terms that match given descriptions (ii) create a word chain by linking the answers. ⭐
PAYING ATTENTION IS BETTER THAN GETTING ATTENTION (page 20–21)
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt talks about the dangers of craving for attention especially via social media. He advises trying the reverse: paying attention to other people instead.
My Friends – Real or Virtual? — For CCE level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To raise self-awareness of one’s virtual and real relationships. Students reflect on a given a list describing virtual and real relationships, and then indicate their preferences.
⭐ 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.
