P5 & 6 Science Parents’ Briefing 2012

Overview Learning outcomes Topics Assessment Pedagogy School Programmes Doing well in Science

Learning outcomes Inquirer: One who questions, investigates and explores Thinker: One who thinks critically, creatively and reflectively Ambassador: One who cares for the environment and spreads the message of conservation

Parents as our Partners in Education What do I need to know about the primary science curriculum? How can I help my child to learn and do well in Science?

P3 & 4 Science Topics Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 P3 topics P4 topics Living and Non-living things Diversity of Living things Diversity of Materials Cycles in plants and animals (Life cycles) Human system (Digestive System) Plant system (Plant parts and functions) P4 topics Matter Magnets Heat & Temperature Light

P5 & 6 Science Topics Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 P5 topics P6 topics Water Systems in Living Things Cells Reproduction in Plants Sexual Reproduction in Humans Electrical System Energy and Photosynthesis Energy forms and Uses P6 topics Forces Environment Web of Life Adaptations Man’s Impact on the environment

P5 & 6 Foundation Science (FSC) Topics Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 P5 FSc topics Water Systems in Living Things Reproduction in Plants Sexual Reproduction in Humans Electrical System Energy and Photosynthesis P6 FSc Forces Environment Web of Life Adaptations Man’s Impact on the environment

Format of PSLE Science Paper Booklet Item Type Number of questions Number of marks per question Marks A Multiple-choice 30 2 60 B Open-ended 14 2,3,4 40 Total 100 Duration of Paper: 1h 45 min

Format of PSLE FSC paper Booklet Item Type Number of questions Number of marks per question Marks A Multiple-choice 16 2 32 B Structured Open-ended 6 – 7 6 – 8 2 – 3 2 – 4 14 24 Total 70 A word list is provided but the list is not exhaustive. Duration of Paper: 1h 15 min

P5 School-based Assessments Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Practice Paper 1 SA1 Practical test 10% of SA2 Practice Paper 2 SA2 (90%)

Science Practical Tests (P5 only) Science Practical Tests are used to assess the student's understanding of science concepts and mastery of basic process skills and integrated processes through practical work.

P6 School-based Assessments Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Practice Paper 1 SA1 Preliminary Exams

Assessment Objectives Describe the skills and abilities which pupils are expected to demonstrate at the end of the course. Knowledge with Understanding Pupils should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific facts, concepts and principles.

Assessment Objectives Application of Knowledge and Process Skills Pupils should be able to a. apply scientific facts, concepts and principles to new situations.

Process skills use one or a combination of the following basic process skills:

Process skills Integrated Processes: Creative Problem Solving Decision-Making Investigation

Pedagogy – Teach for Understanding 5E Learning Cycle Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Pedagogy-Teach for Understanding Concept maps Hands-on activities (Predict-Observe-Explain)

PL Science programmes 2012 Learning Journeys (P5 – Bukit Timah Nature Reserve) (P6 – Sungei Buloh) National Geographic Magazine Subscriptions Life Science Enrichment Activity (P5) Fun with Science Day

How to do well in Science? 1. Knowledge How much do I know about the topic? Do I read and find out more about the topic? 2. Understanding Am I able to explain the concept clearly to others? Am I able to apply the concept to new situations? Step 1 : Content Mastery (Acquisition & Understanding of Textbook Knowledge Step 2 : Process Skills Mastery (Acquisition of Basic & Integrated Process Skills listed in the MOE Syllabus) 20

How to do well in Science? 3. Answering techniques during exams Do I phrase my answers using scientific concepts? How do I use my thinking/process skills to answer the question? 4. Concept maps Am I able to come up with a comprehensive concept map on a topic? What are my misconceptions?

Senior Teacher (Science) Contacts: Level Head (Science) Ms Ong Shir Ling ong_shir_ling@moe.edu.sg Senior Teacher (Science) Mrs Jenny Yeo chan_peck_yoke_jenny@moe.edu.sg