Activities in What’s Up:
• My Dream Tour (page 2)
• Contest: If I were Lucy (page 21)
• When the going gets tough (page 23)
ACTIVITY IDEAS
for the September 2020 issue of What’s Up
‘THE ROCK’ IS THE HIGHEST PAID ACTOR (page 14)
About Dwane Johnson’s rise to stardom. On the same page, “Actresses fight for equal pay” is a thought-provoking snapshot of the wide gender income difference at Hollywood.
Are They Parallel? – For English, level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To learn about parallel constructions. Following an explanation, students (i) identify two sentences with parallel constructions in the story and (ii) rephrase four given sentences. ✪
Who Does It Better? – For English & CCE level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Group work. To investigate if there are similarities between our own biases and gender discrimination at work. This is done by a poll and a prediction, followed by a discussion.
SEARCHING FOR SIGNS OF ANCIENT LIFE ON MARS (page 12-13)
An exciting centerspread about the Perseverance rover that NASA launched in July.
Mind Map of a Space Rover – For English & Science, Level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To organise information using a mind map. A worksheet for creating a mind map about the space probe Perseverance, using points from the article.
Rover Crossword – For English & Science, Level 1
Individual work. To become more familiar with space technology. Online puzzle of over 20 words with easy clues. At digital.whatsup.sg from 22 September 2020. ✪
IS THAT IVORY? (page 17)
Explains how wildlife protectors discern the authenticity of ivory products, and the impact of the illegal ivory trade on wildlife victims.
Be a Smart Shopper – For Drama & CCE, Level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Pairwork. To practise asking good questions. Students complete a gap-fill dialogue with a shopkeeper selling ivory. Every pair then performs the script for the class.
Say No to Ivory! – For English & CCE, Level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To see value in using both images and words to communicate. Students are to design a poster discouraging the use of ivory products. With guiding questions.
TOKYO’S TRANSPARENT TOILETS (page 15)
The reasons for Tokyo’s toilets with see-through walls that turn opaque on entry, and the reasons for this innovative technology.
Toilet Musings – For Social Studies and CCE, Level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual. To experience rating a physical facility. Students use the provided table to rate public toilets in a variety of settings. Followed by a whole-class reflection on their ratings.
Glass Slippers, Anyone? – English & Science, Level 2 – DOWNLOAD
Individual Work. To appreciate ingenuity. Part 1: comparing three varieties of the same object. Part 2: redesigning a common object and describing the outcome.
ART TO HEART (page 23)
An inspiring quote, whimsical illustration, and a letter to readers about seeking quiet, peaceful spaces to get away when life gets chaotic.
A Giraffe on Your Roof! – For English & CCE, Level 3 – DOWNLOAD
Groupwork. To problem solve with creativity. Part 1 is a gap-fill poem about a giraffe on one’s roof. Part 2: following a given example, groups discuss their own real-life dilemma.
Vocab Builder – English, level 1 – DOWNLOAD
Individual exercise. To strengthen vocabulary and syntax. Students (i) examine the use of given phrases in Art to Heart and (ii) use the phrases to construct their own sentences.
✪ 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.
