I quite like Singapore’s primary school Science curriculum. I think it teaches young minds to be observant and empower them with the scientific terms to explain the everyday phenomena occurring around them. Several big themes are introduced to the kids, namely Diversity, Cycles, Systems, Energy and Interactions. Spiral progression is then used to great effect to explore these five themes throughout four years. With basic ideas are taught in the middle primary years, young learners will then be ready for more advanced concepts being built onto their rudimentary understanding like hardened layers of soil stacked on top of each other. I had fun teaching Science at a primary school!
Today’s theme involves heat transfer. Heat transfers from a warmer place to a colder one, so students are expected to be able to answer questions like these:
Questions courtesy of Mendaki
Solution
- The damp cloth gained heat from Susan’s forehead and evaporated into water vapour. As her forehead lost head to the cloth, it became cooler.
- The water droplets on Jean’s face will gain heat from her body and evaporate into water vapour. As Jean loses heat to the water droplets, she feels cooler.
