Greendale Primary School

Science Workshop for

Parents

1 Feb 2019

Programme

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Objectives of the workshop

Parents will be able to pick up

• strategies to support your child’s learning

of Science

• understand the transition from Lower to

Upper Block

• techniques to manage Science

assessments

Science in GDPS :

Inquiry-based Approach

Learning science as Inquiry must go beyond merely

presenting facts.

Pupils are actively engaged

• collecting and using evidence collected from “outdoor

classrooms” and through hands-on experiments

• formulating and communicating explanations based on

scientific knowledge

Science Curriculum Framework

The science curriculum seeksto nurture the student as aninquirer. The end goal is forstudents to enjoy scienceand value science as animportant tool in helpingthem explore their naturaland physical world.

The Primary Science Syllabus aims to…

Provide primary pupils with

• basic scientific terms and concepts

• opportunities to develop skills, habits of mindand attitudes necessary for scientific inquiry

• prepare pupils towards using scientificknowledge and methods in making personaldecisions

• help pupils appreciate how science influencespeople and the environment

Practice of Science

Role of Science

21st Century Competencies

Upper Block Primary Science

Syllabus

Themes Upper Block (Primary 5 & 6) Level

Systems • Plant and Human systems (respiratory and circulatory systems)

• Cell system• Electrical system

P5

Cycles • Cycles in plants and animals (reproduction)• Cycles in matter and water (water)

P5

Energy • Energy forms and uses (photosynthesis)• Energy conversion

P5P6

Interactions • Interactions of forces• Interactions within the environment

P6

https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences

Do not throw away the Energy TB & WB

Assessments

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Assessments Format (Standard Science)

Booklet No of questions

Marks

AMultiple Choice

28 56

BOpen-ended

12 - 13 44

Assessments Format(Foundation Science) Booklet No of

questionsMarks

AMultipleChoice

18 36

B Structured

6 - 714

Open-ended

5 - 620

Target

A*

• Section A (MCQs)

Aim for full marks or at most 3mistakes ie 56/56 or 50/56

• Section B (OEQs)

Aim for 80% ie 35/44

A

• Section A (MCQs)

Aim for full marks or at most 3 mistakes ie 56/56 or

50/56

• Section B (OEQs)

Aim for 60% ie 26/44

Punchlines Feb 12, 2016 The Straits Times

PollEv.com/caelynwhynde143

How else can you support your

child’s learning?

Ask “open” questions instead of answer them

Explore togetherCreate a positive

and safe environment

Five Simple Questions for

developing curious minds

• What do you think about …?

• Why do you say so?

• What makes you think/say so?

• How do you know this?

• Can you tell me more about…?

Where can you engage your

child in Science learning?

Science at…Home

Possible questions to ask:

1) Why do cutlery on bottom rack take longer to dry than those on top rack?

2) How will removing the drip tray help?

3) How can we make the plates on the top rack dry faster?

Science at…Home

Possible questions to ask:

1) How does using the rubber band help to make it easier to open the bottle?

2) Do you think using a thicker rubber band help? Why?

3) Besides using the rubber band, suggest another way to open the lid? Whywill your method work?

Science at…Home

Possible questions to ask:

1) Which method of hanging the clothes will cause them to dry faster? Why?

Possible questions to ask:

1) Why is the 1st loop located at the highest point?

2) Why do the roller coaster cars move down the tracks at a faster

speed?

Science at… Amusement Parks

Possible questions to ask:

1) Why do you go down the highest slide fastest?

2) How does use of water help in increasing your speed?

Science at… Amusement Parks

Science at… Amusement Parks

What is this part of the bumper car made

of? How does it prevent injury to the

drivers?

What is an important property of the

car’s body? Why?

Why is the rod connected to the ceiling?

What property do you think it must have

to suit the above purpose?

Science at…eateries

Possible questions to ask:

1) What state do you think the “white fumes” are?

2) How does using that help to cool the restaurant?

3) When the fans are switched on, how does it help to cool the place faster?

Science at…eateries

Possible questions to ask:

1) What do you think is the circuit arrangement of the bulbs of the lamp?Why?

“Food” Science

Possible questions to ask:

1) Why are the packets of potato chips filled with gas? Are the manufacturerstrying to cheat us? Or are there other valid reasons for doing so?

2) Based on the properties of gas, suggest an advantage the gas in the baghas during the transportation of chips.

“Food” Science

Possible questions to ask:

1) Why are big paus placed at the top tier while the small paus are placed atthe lower tier?

“Food” Science

Possible questions to ask:

1) What is the purpose of the pulling action?

2) Why does he use metal mugs instead of plastic ones?

3) Will there be a difference in the rate of cooling if he holds the mugs closertogether?

Science at…Marina Barrage

Possible questions to ask:

1) Why do you think the

Marina Barrage was built?

2) How does Singapore

obtain water besides

collecting rainwater in

reservoirs?

3) Why is it important for

Singapore to have so

many reservoirs?

P6 Global

Warming

1) Why is this

necessary?

2) What else is

Singapore

doing to

deal with

GW?

3) As

individuals,

what can we

do to help

reduce

GW?

Science...in local news

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/nicoll-drive-being-raised-to-stave-off-rising-seas

P6 Forces

1) Why does presence of oil on the road make it unsafe for the

motorists?

Science...in local news

https://www.todayonline.com/oil-spill-lornie-road-causes-massive-jam

P4 Matter and P5 Water

1) How does using tank bank

in toilet cistern help to

conserve water?

2) Why does watering plants

before 7am and after 7pm

help to conserve water?

Science...in PUB flyers

Science...in local news

P6 Man’s Impact on

Environment

1) What could Man

have possibly

done to cause

the deer to

wander onto

the road?

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sambar-deer-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle-in-mandai-road

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sambar-deer-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle-in-mandai-road

Exploring Science together

• Watching of Science documentaries (E.g.National Geographic Wild, DiscoveryChannel) and reading of Sciencejournals/magazines

• Go to nature parks

• Observing and explaining materials andtheir uses eg cooking wares

P6 Man’s Impact on Environment

1) Why are trees warming the climate? Don’t they absorb CO2 ?

Samples of

Everyday Science Concepts

in Assessment Questions

Techniques for Answering

Science questions

Answering MCQs

• Identify topic tested

• Link questions to the related concepts (orscientific ideas)

• Highlight/Underline/Circle key words

• Use “Elimination” method to choose the bestanswer

6 steps for answering OEQs

Step 1: Annotate the important information

Step 2: Identify topic that is tested

Step 3: Identify key concepts from the topic tested

Step 4: Identify Task/Command Words

Step 5: Note the marks

Step 6: Phrase the answers using the

templates/framework taught, where applicable

Task/Command Words

Command Words ExpectationsCompare Look for differences and come to a

conclusion [use comparative terms]

Describe State in words the main points

Classify Group based on common characteristics

Explain Interpret the information given, state the“how” and “why” of the results and possiblecauses [use COCA]

Identify Select/name the object, concept or process

State Give a short answer with no supportingreason required

Infer Draw a conclusion based on observations ofresults

Annotation Technique

• Effective reading strategy

• Helps in comprehending the question

• “Mark out” sections of question, with ahighlighter or by underlining

• Makes notes to ensure understanding

Animals give off

CO2 so CO2 increase

Plants take in CO2 during

photosynthesis so CO2 decrease

No change

in

composition

of gases

(2)

Identifying the Topic & Concept(s)

• After reading the question, try to identify the topicand concept based on previous questions attempted or experiments conducted.

Topic:Magnets, Forces & Energy

Concept:Interactions between gravitational and magnetic force

Topic:Energy

Concept:Use a lighter toy so the same amount of elastic spring force can push the toy to a greater height.

Topic:Water

Concept:Water gains heat to evaporate

Topic:Water

Concept:Rate of evaporation

Topic:Materials (properties) & electrical system

Concept:Rubber – flexible so the car will not be damaged Z – electrical conductor

Open-ended questions pertaining

to:

• Investigation

(a) Aim

(b) Fair test

(c) Forming Conclusions

(d) Control setup

(e) Planning investigations

• Identifying relationships

(a) Aim

1) To find out if the variable changed affects theexperimental results

2) To find out how the variable changed affects theexperimental results

3) To find out the property of the materials [comparison tobe made]

ERVC

VC

ER

(a) Fair Test

Why/Why not

• There is only 1 variable changed(VC) in the experiment [state theVC changed in that question]

• There are more than 1 variablechanged in the experiment [… &…]

How

• Identify the aim

• Study how the given object/condition affects the experimental results

(c) Forming Conclusions

A conclusion is a statement which summarises the results of an experiment.

It basically answers the aim of the experiment using the experimental results

Water at room temperature

Water will gain heat

Observation of

results:

Water in D registers

a higher temperature

– faster/more heat

gain

(d) Control Setup

The control setup shows that it is the variable change that causes the difference in the

experimental results.

(e) Planning Investigation

Ensure fair test by changing only 1 variable

Identifying relationships

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increases increases

Analysing

Identify parts of the object / information

Evaluating

Justifying a decision or course of action

MV / DV / ER

IV/ VC

The More The Merrier?

Curriculum

mindsetVendor

mindset

Recommended Materials for Revision

• Textbook• Workbook

• GDPS Topical Reviews & Notes• GDPS Practice Papers

Refer to the link below for MOE 2014 Science syllabus • https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences

Tip:

Refer to MOE syllabus when doing revision

with your child. Don’t rely on reference

books as syllabus guide.

Tip:

If you desire extra practice for your child,

use other schools’ papers instead of

assessment books. However, don’t rely

on the answer key when marking your

child’ work.

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

• theory about how our memory works,proposed in 1885 by a Germanpsychologist named Hermann Ebbinghaus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCsQHe-NpaM

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

• The averaged results across multipleexperiments looked something like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVXDcFKz7DA

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

• Need to spend time actually understanding thematerial before child can start memorizing it

- pay attention in class

- encourage child to clarify doubts with teachers

- put effort into understanding their homework

assignments

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

The graph reveals another fact: Cramming doesn’t work!

• the forgetting curve is at its steepest early on

- everything you cram in the day before the test will slip

out of your head like sand through your fingers

• You might be able to retain 70-80% of what you’vecrammed by the time you take the test

• Chances are, if he is cramming, he probably didn’tbother to spend time understanding and digestingeverything beforehand.

BEAT The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve!

• Spaced Repetition

• Revise and relook at what we have taught within aday of gaining new knowledge

• Note down the days that Science lessons areconducted and have a quick 15mins walk- throughof topic at end of the day with your child

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5PLO4XAXhs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNwic_uRJi4

“How to Study Better – Best Study Techniques” by Ron White

Other Strategies for Recall

• Mindmaps / concept maps

• Teach someone else

• Do it with music

• Acrostics / Mnemonics

• Chunking

• Take notes

Example of Acrostics

• Factors affecting rate of evaporation:

Wind

Exposed surface area

Temperature of surrounding

• Magnetic materials

Steel

Iron

Nickel

Cobalt

Chunking

• The water from the __________ gained heat and evaporated.

• The warm water vapour touched the cooler __________ surface,

• Lost heat and condensed to form water droplets

Getting ready for PSLE

• Organising materials (Gathering allrelevant books, files, notes, practice papersin one place)

• Planning a study schedule

• Having a conducive study environment

Exceling in Science requires time, effort and daily interactions. Applyingstrategies has proven effective in helping pupils analyze questions,interpret data and apply the concepts they have learnt.