Science Workshop for Parents
~Supporting Science Learning
Objectives of workshop
• To better understand the Science
framework and curriculum
• Update on Examination Format (PSLE)
• To equip with some strategies for
answering Science questions to support
your child at home
Overview of Science Framework and Curriculum
The Science curriculum
• Inculcates the spirit of scientific inquiry
• Seeks to nurture the student as an
inquirer.
• The end goal is students who enjoy
Science and value Science as an
important tool in helping them explore
their natural and physical world.
https://www.moe.gov.sg/docs/default-
source/document/education/syllabuses/sciences/files/science-primary-2014.pdf
Skills and Processes
• Observing
• Comparing
• Classifying
• Using apparatus and equipment
• Communicating
• Inferring
• Predicting
• Analysing
• Generating possibilities
• Evaluating
• Formulating hypothesis
PSLE ScienceFormat
Booklet No. of Qn Marks per Qn Total
A
(Multiple-Choice)
28 2 56
B
(Open-ended)
12 to 13 2 to 5 44
40 to 41 100
Materials
• Textbooks and Workbooks (To be kept till PSLE)
• Vitamindz Booklet
• RICE+ (Read-Identify-Concept-Explain) worksheet
• “Now-I-Know” worksheet
• Word List
• Science Journal
• PSLE Booklet (P6)
• Green File
• Other materials (Practice papers, Mind-maps, etc…)
P3 – PCS Explorer
P4 – PCS Naturalist
P5 – PCS Researcher
P6 – PCS Environmentalist
Learning
Cards
Schedule of Activities
Level Activity
P3 Jam-making
(Integrated with LIFE @ PCS)
P4 Session on the topic of Light @ S’pore Science
Centre
(26 Mar, 1 Apr and 4 Apr 2019)
P5 DNA Learning Lab (Bacteria Outbreak) @ S’pore
Science Centre
(4, 8 and 10 Apr 2019)
P6 Pizza Making
(Term 4 – Post PSLE Activity)
Process Skills
Inferring- Interpreting or explaining observations or pieces of data
or information.
Predicting- Assessing the likelihood of an outcome based on prior
knowledge of how things usually turn out.
Analysing- Identifying the parts of objects, information or processes,
and the patterns and relationships between these parts.
Generating possibilities
- Exploring all the alternatives, possibilities and choices
beyond the obvious or preferred one.
Evaluating
- Assessing the reasonableness, accuracy and quality of
information, processes or ideas. This is also the skill of
assessing the quality and feasibility of objects.
Formulating hypothesis
- Making a general explanation for a related set of
observations or events. It is an extension of inferring.
Sample questions
Common weaknesses
Strategies for answering Science questions
R-I-C-E
R – Read
I – Identify
C – Concept
E – Explain
Read (Tick to indicate question is read)
Identify
Concept
(Fill in
the
blanks)
Electrical i_______________ are materials that do
not allow an electric current to flow through.
Explain
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
1) Read the question
2) Identify the topic:
Electricity
3) State the Concept:
Electrical insulators are
materials that do not
allow electric current to
flow through.
4) Explain the concept: The
eraser is an electrical
insulator, hence it is not able
to form a closed circuit.
Read (Tick to indicate question is read)
Identify Electricity
Concept
(Fill in
the
blanks)
Electrical insulators are materials that do not allow
an electric current to flow through.
Explain The eraser is an electrical insulator. Hence it
cannot form a closed circuit. Electric current is
unable to flow through for bulbs B, C and D to light
up.
Answering MCQ using
Elimination
Strategy
R-I-C-ER – Read
I – Identify
C – Concept
E – Explain
1) Read the question
2) Identify the topic:
Exchange of gases
(Photosynthesis)
3) State the
Concept: Only
plants can take in
carbon dioxide
during the day to
photosynthesise
4) Explain the concept:
Use the given information
to eliminate options
X
X
Only plants can take in carbon dioxide during the day to
make food. Organism K has to be a food producer.
X
X
Since Organism K is a food producer, the other two
organisms are food consumers.
X X
Answering Open-ended
questions focusing on
Process Skills Analysing
Inferring
R-I-C-ER – Read
I – Identify
C – Concept
E – Explain
Process Skill –Analysing & Inferring
Identify the topic:
Forces
(Elastic spring force)
State the Concept:
When a force acts
on a spring, the
spring will be
stretched.
1) Read the question
Spring A is the easiest to stretch./ Spring A stretched the most.
When the same amount of weight was hung on each spring, the extension of Spring A
was the greatest.
4) Explain the concept:
Read and interpret
information from the
graph
Which spring is the easiest to stretch? Explain your answer.
Note the
comparison
words
Not understanding what the question wants
(out of topic)
Too much unnecessary information
Not following instructions given in the question
eg. circle/ draw an arrow/ shade/ label the diagram
etc.
Common weaknesses when answering open-ended Science questions
Answer is too general or not specific
Answer is incomplete
Not applying the correct concept
Missing comparison words (e.g. furthest, shorter
than, lightest)
Common weaknesses when answering open-ended Science questions
Which spring is the easiest to stretch? Explain your answer.
Answers that are too general• Spring A. It is able to stretch up to 15cm.
Answer does not demonstrate any comparison with the
other 2 set-ups.
X
X• Spring A. At 100g, Spring A stretched 15cm, Spring B
stretched 10cm and Spring C stretched 5cm. Answer merely states what is observed without any
comparison or interpretation of data.
• Spring A. When the same weight was hung, Spring A
stretched more than Spring B and C. Answer shows comparison with the other 2 set-ups and
uses comparison words.
√
Truth or
Myth?
The Straits Times, 12 Feb 2016
Supporting your child’s learning
• Ask open questions
What do you think about….?
What makes you think that?
Why do you say so?
• Read Science magazines, articles, watch
Science videos
• Explore together
Application of Science to real-life contexts
Opening a jam
jar
• What are the ways we can try to open a jam jar?
• Why did that method work?
Sample PSLE Question
• What is that white-smoky thing?
• How did it form?
Winter – white mist
Topic(s):Water cycle(P5), Heat(P4)
Concept(s):Formation of water droplets, condensation, heat gain/heat loss
Sample PSLE Question
Hanging clothes to dry
• What is the best way to hang clothes so it will dry faster?
• What is the reason behind it?
Topic:Water cycle (P5)
Concept(s):Greater exposed surface area increases evaporation rate
A 24-year old
woman suffered
injuries to her
head, shoulders
and calf after being
thrown out of a 9-m
tall slide meant for
kids.
The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2017Playground slides
• Why would an adult slide down faster?
• Why is it more slippery if we slide down on rainy days?
Topic:Forms of Energy (P5), Forces (P5)
Concept(s):Gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, friction
Sample PSLE Question
Ways to support your child …
• Highlight key information
• Application of R-I-C-E
• Make use of Word / Phrases list
• “Think and talk” – Useful words
• “All mapped out” – Quick glance of concepts for the
chapter
• “Bird’s Eye View” – Quick glance of concepts for the
theme / across lower block and upper block
• Tracking of time
• Pupil’s self evaluation (P6 CA, P3-P6 SA1 and SA2)
Word/ Phrases List
Spelling
Make Your Thinking Visible
• Highlight key information on questions
• Jot down your thoughts on the paper
Make Your Thinking Visible
FAQs…
P3 and P4 – 4 periods of Science
P5 and P6 – 5 periods of Science
In proportion to the other core subjects like
English, Mathematics and Chinese, the amount of
science homework pales in comparison.
Why so little or no homework?
FAQs…
Textbook is written in line with the latest Primary Science Syllabus set by MOE
Useful features that can be used by parents:
“Think and talk” – Useful words
“All mapped out” – Quick glance of concepts for the chapter
“Bird’s Eye View” – Quick glance of concepts for the theme
/across lower block and upper block
Recap concepts in the theme in the Lower block (applicable to upper block TBs)
The textbook looks “slim”. Is it enough for my child?
FAQs…
It covers the topics that the students have been
taught. This is practised through the lab sessions
where the students have hands-on experience to
complete the different activities in the workbook.
All students will go through a round of mock
practical test in Term 3.
How do I prepare my child for Practical test?
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