Concept Map (Matter)

Building the abstract concept of Matter .. 

We are Friends, We help one another :)

Today, we were learning how to multiply a 3-digit number by a 2-digit number. It's not easy, I tell you !! 

After several attempts, beginning with simpler ones, like 312 x 40. We moved progressively to 312 x 26. After half an hour of all children trying patiently, many were able to do the products. When Mrs Leow asked for pupils who got the products correct, many pupils confidently raised their whiteboards to show the answer! When Mrs Leow asked for pupils who were willing to help friends who were still struggling, many rushed towards their classmates, each going to a different one, regardless of race or gender! This made Mrs Leow very very happy :) and very proud :)

Math Multiples

Draw a Circle around Multiples of 3, put a triangle around Multiples of 6 Box Multiples of 4, Star Multiples of 8

Many videos on this blog show only the preliminary collaborative activities. What usually follow are more questioning and thinking. These are difficult to show in images here.


An example of questions asked:
What do you notice about the multiples of 3 and 6?
What do you notice about the multiples of 4 and 8?
Why?


Follow-up Activity:
Put On Your Thinking Caps (My Pals TB page 44)
One of the 3 questions our class attempted:
Jonathan bought an item that was less than $100. He could pay for the item exactly with only $2 notes. He could also pay for the item exactly with only $5 notes. What were the likely prices of the item he bought?

Can Air be compressed? Can Water be compressed?

Materials used: 2 syringes, a beaker of water

Video: Air in Syringe

Listen to the children's response :)

All six groups were able to squeeze the plunger to reach ~ 2ml, 3ml.

Next video: Water in Syringe 

Mrs Leow asked, "What are you trying to find out here?"

Ifan said, " The plunger cannot be pressed."

For the Science lessons so far, pupils had been learning an important step in planning an experiment: 'Aims of Experiment'. Next, they will be learning about 'Hypothesis'.

Every pupil took turns to handle and 'play' with the syringe. With each experiment that pupils have done, as they touch and feel the apparatus, there are high chances that curiosity will be triggered. Pupils will also have a stronger impression on concepts explored.

Matter and mass

Pupils find out whether Air has Mass .. "What happened to the balance when one balloon burst?"

So! This is how a 100-gram weight feels like .. now use that standard to PREDICT the mass of your water bottle, school bag, etc ..

Next, we used kitchen balance to measure the Mass of those objects. (We already predicted their mass). We learnt to read the scale on the kitchen balance.

taken from Straits Times, 7 Feb 2009 Sat

For Parents ;)

8 things you can do to help your child sail through school

Myth 1: " My child needs to start school as soon as he can so that he gets a head start."

Reality 1: Delaying entry may be better - especially for those born late in the year and not ready for school. "Don't fast-track your child. Those born on 1 Jan may not benefit from starting school one year earlier." 

Myth 2: "If my child attends a top-performing school, he will thrive in its challenging environment."

Reality 2: Some children - even those of high ability - perform better in average-ability school. "Choose best school, not top school. Better to be a big fish in a little pond, say experts."

Myth 3: "Buying my child plenty of books will get him into the habit of reading."

Reality 3: There is no replacement for spending quality time with your child in front of a book. You must read to - and with - your child. "Interacting with your child is key."

Myth 4: "The best way to motivate my child is to praise or reward him when he scores high marks."

Reality 4: Tying your praise to high scores runs the risk of linking your children's self-worth to how well they do in examinations. Praise their effort instead. "The right motivation can encourage positive self-belief."

Myth 5: "My child has to have a private tutor - tuition is a necessity these days."

Reality 5: It works for most children, and the best results can be achieved in subjects like Mathematics. "Use tuition intelligently."

Myth 6: "My child's success at school all comes down to him working hard, not my attendance at parents' events."

Reality 6: Behind every successful child is a super-involved parent. "Kids do better if parents take an interest in their school."

Myth 7: "Watching educational and children's shows is good for my child and helps build his intelligence."

Reality 7: TV can restrict your child's development. Switch off the television set.

Professor D Christakis from Seattle Children's Research Institute and the University of Washington explained that TV exposes children to flashing lights, scene changes, quick edits and auditory cuts which may overstimulate developing brains. Things happen fast on the TV screen, so children's brains may come to expect this pace, making it harder to concentrate if there is less stimulation."

Myth 8: "Too much sports and CCA will distract my child from his studies."

Reality 8: Sports and C0-curricular activities enhance academic performance. "Research shows that being physically active help kids do better in their studies."

"Many studies link sports activity with higher academic achievement. The latest cognitive neuroscience research demonstrates that physical activity actually contributes to important brain development in young children. A study found that 40 minutes a day of aerobic exercise improved "executive function" - the aspect of intelligence that helps us pay attention, plan and resist distractions. Yet another experiment showed that the brains of physically fit children showed evidence of more extensive processing during each task. Compared to sedentary kids, fit children had faster reaction times. A study by the California Department of Education found that higher achievement was associated with increased levels of fitness. Other studies found that it is not the CCA participation per se that enhances educational outcomes. It is the fact that the activity provides skills, strengths, networks and support, plus social and personal rewards."