Science PRIMARY 6 P 6 Science Syllabus P

Science PRIMARY 6

P 6 Science Syllabus P 6 I-Science Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 INTERACTIONS Chap 2 : Environment Chap 3 : Web of Life Chap 4 : Adaptations Ecology prog@Pasir Ris Beach w CIP INTERACTION S Chap 5 : Man’s Impact on the Environment Chap 1 : Forces Revision Past PSLE papers Other schools exam papers EPH Assessment Papers CA 1 ENERGY Chap 2 : Energy Forms & uses Science Practical test SA 1 Prelim PSLE

Science – Level Performance Total of Components % passes % achieving at least A and A* Highest Score Level 79. 9% 18. 1% 90. 5 Class 100 19 86. 5 Average Score 61. 1 72

How Differentiated Curriculum Had Helped the Pupils • Teachers are able to be more focused in providing the appropriate help to the class. • All the pupils can learn as a class at the correct pace for every subject. • Every pupil can be equally challenged by their peers within the class. • Every child’s social circle is widen as they get to make more friends from different classes

One area of concern Pupil’s weaknesses in : • analyzing Science questions & diagrams with understanding • answering questions specifically with correct keywords in scientific terms and concept(s) • Being specific with phrasing of answers eg. Use of “It” or “They”.

P 6 SA 1 2011 Qn 31 : Roy set up an experiment as shown below.

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns on “How”) How – Explain the process / methods / way sunlight • Qn 31 b: How does the condition stated in (a) help the plant and animals to survive? • Pupil’s Answer: The plant can photosynthesise to make food in the presence of sunlight and give out oxygen. • Correct Answer: The plant photosynthesises in the presence of sunlight and produces oxygen for the animals/lizard and flies to respire. (Processes ‘photosynthesis’ and ‘respiration’ must be stated. )

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns on “What”) What – Refers to a specific noun (object, events, actions) • Qn 31 c: What is the purpose of the limewater in the experiment? • Pupil’s Answer: To test for the presence of carbon dioxide. • Correct Answer: To test if carbon dioxide is produced by the animals (lizards and flies). (Based on the diagram shown. )

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns on “Why”) Why – reason / cause and effect • Qn 38 b: Explain why the ball slowed down and eventually came to a stop on its own. • Pupil’s Answer: Frictional force slowed down the ball (merely stating a fact without any explanation of scientific concepts as reasons) • Correct Answer: Frictional force between the moving ball and the surface of the floor slowed down the ball and caused it to come to a stop on its own.

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns on “How”) How – Explain the process / methods / way • Qn 33 a: Animals like the frog and crab can live both on land in water. Write in the boxes providing the details on how these animals are adapted to breathe in water and on land. • Pupil’s Answer: Frogs breathe through gills in water and skin on land (adult frogs don’t have gills anymore, confused knowledge with tadpoles) • Correct Answer: Frogs breathe through its skin, taking in dissolved oxygen in water. On land, frogs breathe in air through its lungs and moist skin. (Avoid one-word answer, elaborate on the details)

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns that requires Comparison) • Qn 40 a. Sean and Ahmad were each given a ball of plasticine during an art lesson. They made the following statements after playing with the plasticine. Sean: A force caused my plasticine to become smaller. Ahmad: A force helped me turn the ball of plasticine into a cube. Whose statement(s) about force is correct? Explain why. • Pupil’s Answer: A force can change a ball of plasticine into a cube • Correct Answer: A force changes the shape of an object but it does not reduce the mass/ size of an object.

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns on Diagrams/Analytical Qns) • Qn 40 b: Mr Tan was driving in Car B at 60 km/h on a rainy day. He stepped on the brakes that were in good working condition. The car skidded and crashed into Car A as shown below. The front parts of both cars were badly damaged.

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns on Diagrams/Analytical Qns) • Qn 40 b: i) Why did Mr Tan’s car skid? • Pupil’s Answer: Tyres are worn out / road is slippery (stating a fact, not explaining) • Correct Answer: Water reduces the friction between the tyres and the road / brakes and wheels that cause the car to skid.

Misconception/Incorrect Answers (Qns on Diagrams/Analytical Qns) • Qn 40 b: ii) If Mr Tan were to drive at 100 km/h, compare the damage on the 2 cars. Explain your answer. • Pupil’s Answer: Cars are badly damaged. (Pupils did not make comparison) • Correct Answer: Increasing the car’s speed increases the impact / force on the cars and the damage will be greater/ worse.

Pre-PSLE Science Preparation for each pupil • Assess which topic(s) that you don’t understand. • Re-learn / revise that topic(s) via Askn. Learn portal, past Textbks or from Internet websites. • Practice and try to complete at least one whole Science exam paper within 1 h 45 mins per week at home (without any breaks in-between) • Aim to score full marks (60/60) for Section A by reading the 4 given options carefully and choosing the most suitable answer. • For Section B, read through quickly ALL 14 questions. Answer ALL those you can answer confidently FIRST. • Then with the remaining time, ponder and answer those more difficult ones.

Other “Home-based” Science Enrichment • Watch Documentary shows (e. g. “Animal Planet”, “Animal Night / World”) • Subscribe to Science magazines (e. g. National Geographic or Young Scientist magazines) • Observe the different types of items in a supermarket (e. g. fish, fruits, vegetables, spices) • Go for nature walks (e. g. parks, beaches) • Talk to your child about Science all the time.

All Parents, please take note: • Topics covered in P 3, P 4, P 5 and P 6 will be tested in PSLE and Prelim.

Thank you