P6 Parent Seminar: Gearing for the Science (Std) Paper Scope & FormatScope & Format StrategiesStrategies 5 April 2013

Format of Paper (Standard Course) BookletItem TypeNo. Qtns Marks per Qtn Weighting AMCQ30260% BOpen- ended 142,3,440% Duration of Paper: 1 h 45 min

Theme Life Science Physical Science Diversity  General characteristics & classification of living things  General characteristics & classification of non- living things  Materials Cycles  Life Cycles  Reproduction  Matter  Water Systems  Plant Systems  Human Systems (Digestive, Respiratory & Circulatory)  Cell System  Electrical Systems Interactions  Interactions with Environment (ecology, adaptation, man’s impact)  Forces (magnets, friction, gravity, elastic spring) Energy  Forms & Uses (Photosynthesis)  Forms & Uses (Light, Heat)  Energy Conversion

Distribution of Marks According to Syllabus Content Life Science45-55% Physical Science45-55% According to Assessment Objectives Knowledge with Understanding ~ ~40% Application of Knowledge & Process Skills ~ ~60%

Application of Knowledge & Process Skills (60%) Process Skills  Observing, Comparing, Classifying  Using Apparatus & Equipment  Communicating, Inferring, Predicting  Analysing, Generating Possibilities  Evaluating, Formulating Hypothesis

What is Key  Accurate Understanding of Concept and “Big Ideas” is important  MAKE CONNECTIONS between concepts learnt  APPLY concept in new situations  EXPLAIN  Revision of concepts learnt from P3 to P6  Process Skills  Expt Design – what is a fair test?  Using Apparatus – which instrument is more accurate?  Interpretation of graphs, grouping, etc.

Examples of Questions

Knowledge with Understanding E.g.1 See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet Pg. 78 Question 8

Applying Concepts E.g. 2 See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet Pg. 81 Question 15

Skill: Observation & Classification Eg.3 See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet Specimen Paper Question 4

Skill: Interpreting Graphs, Applying E.g. 4 See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet Pg. 50 Question 9

Skill: Evaluating fair test E.g. 5 See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet Specimen Paper Question 15

Skill: Experimental Design E.g. 6 See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet Pg. 123 Question 10

Skill: Analysing, Inferring E.g.7 See example in PSLE (Std Science) Booklet Pg. 53 Question 12

Gearing towards the PSLE  Revise P3,4,5 work which forms bulk of PSLE Qns (concepts in the textbook, notes) Revise  Review questions in revision papers and worksheets (Quantity AND Quality)  Link ideas and concepts e.g. relate digestion and respiration to source of energy in living things  Have an inquiring attitude – ASK questions & SEEK answers

MCQ  Don’t rush through  Go through ALL options – even if you have an answer in mind  Use elimination to narrow down to possible answers

Tackling O.E. Questions  Use scientific terms  e.g. “attracted” vs “stick” or “attach” magnetic objects to magnets  Answer in context to question  Clarity in Language - Be clear and specific “… the location must be the same …”  Ensure phrasing does not mislead and won’t be interpreted as scientifically incorrect  Learn task words in question stem e.g. identify, list, explain, explain how

Tackling O.E. Questions  Tip:  Identify objective of question – asking about aim / procedure / pattern / conclusion?  Look out for and use “clues” given:  Diagrams., graphs, tables  Earlier parts of question E.g. 2: Interpreting Graphs, Applying E.g. 2: Interpreting Graphs, Applying E.g. 2: Interpreting Graphs, Applying  Marks given  Make sure you answer has science concepts in it  DO NOT memorize questions and “model” answers – answer TO the question

HOD SCIENCE Thank you