Gearing for the PSLE Science (Standard) Paper Scope & Format Strategies Ms Moh Choy Ying Level Head/Science 1 April 2017
NEW Format of Paper (Standard Science) Booklet Item Type No. of Questions Marks per question Weighting A MCQ 28 2 56% B Openended 12-13 2-5 44% Duration of Paper: 1 h 45 min
Theme Life Science Physical Science Diversity Cycles Systems Interactions Energy General characteristics & classification of living things Life Cycles Reproduction Plant Systems Human Systems (Digestive, Respiratory & Circulatory) Cell System Interactions with Environment (ecology, adaptation, man s impact) Forms & Uses (Photosynthesis) General characteristics & classification of nonliving things Materials Matter Water Electrical Systems Forces (magnets, friction, gravity, elastic spring) Forms & Uses (Light, Heat) Energy Conversion
Distribution of Marks According to Syllabus Content Life Science 45-55% Physical Science 45-55% According to Assessment Objectives Knowledge with Understanding Application of Knowledge & Process Skills ~40% ~60%
Application of Knowledge & Process Skills (60%) Application applying concepts in new situations Process Skills Observing, Comparing, Classifying Using Apparatus & Equipment Communicating, Inferring, Predicting Analysing, Generating Possibilities Evaluating, Formulating Hypothesis
What is Important Accurate Understanding of Concept and Big Ideas is important MAKE CONNECTIONS between concepts learnt APPLY concept in new situations EXPLAIN Revision of concepts learnt from P3 to P6 Process Skills Expt Design what is a fair test? Accuracy in results; reliable results Interpretation of graphs, grouping, etc. Analyzing information and forming conclusions
Examples of Questions
Knowledge with Understanding Example 1 (PSLE 2014 Question 2): Which of the following about photosynthesis is correct?
Applying Concepts & Scientific Reasoning Example 2 (PSLE 2014 Question 41):
Skill: Observation & Classification Example 3 (PSLE 2015 Question 3) Study the classification chart below.
Skill: Observation & Classification Example 3 (PSLE 2015 Question 3) The diagram below shows insects A and B.
Skill: Observation & Classification Example 3 (PSLE 2015 Question 3) Which group, P, Q, R or S, do insects A and B belong to?
Skill: Interpreting Graphs, Applying Example 4 (PSLE 2016 Question 14)
Skill: Interpreting Graphs, Applying Example 4 (PSLE 2016 Question 14)
Skill: Evaluating fair test Example 5 (PSLE 2015 Question 33) Meifen conducted an experiment to find out how the height at which seed T is dropped affects the distance it travels. Seed T has a 4cm wing as shown.
Skill: Evaluating fair test Example 5 (PSLE 2015 Question 33) She dropped seed T from a height (H) in front of a fan as shown. She measured the distance (D) travelled by seed T.
Skill: Evaluating fair test Example 5 (PSLE 2015 Question 33) a) Meifen used the same seed throughout the experiment. Give two reasons how using the same seed helps to make the experiment a fair test. [1] b) Meifen also wanted to find out if the size of the wing on seed T affects the distance it travels. Suggest two variables that she has to keep constant when conducting this experiment. [1]
Skill: Experimental Design Example 6 (PSLE 2014 Question 41) Junxiong used the set-up shown below to study a certain property of material.
Skill: Experimental Design Example 6 (PSLE 2014 Question 41) In his study, he used strings of different materials R and S. He increased the mass until each string broke. His results are shown below. b) Based on his results, which material, R or S, is more suitable to be used for the string to fly a kite? Explain your answer.[1]
Skill: Analysing, Inferring Example 7 (Modified from PSLE 2014 Qn 37) [NEW: 5 marks question] Martin filled a container made of wood with water at 60 o C. The temperature of water remained at 60 o C throughout the experiment. He measured the temperature of the air at various distance, Y, from the water surface.
Skill: Analysing, Inferring Example 7 (Modified from PSLE 2014 Qn 37) a) Explain how using a container made of wood helped to make the experiment more accurate. [1] b) Give a reason why the experiment had to be conducted over a short period of time. [1] c) Based on the above results, what is the relationship between the temperature of the air and distance Y? [1]
Skill: Analysing, Inferring Example 7 (Modified from PSLE 2014 Qn 37) d) Animal H live in the desert. It stands on the hot sand with its four long legs. (i) Based on Martin s findings, explain why having long legs is an advantage for animal H. [1] (ii) The temperature in the desert gets very low at night. Animal H has thick fur to help it adapt to life in the desert. Explain why having thick fur is an advantage for animal H. [1]
Gearing towards the PSLE Revise P3,4,5 work which forms bulk of PSLE Qns (concepts in the textbook, notes) Review questions in revision papers and worksheets (Quantity AND Quality) Link ideas and concepts e.g. relate digestion and respiration to source of energy in living things Have an inquiring attitude ASK questions & SEEK answers
Tackling MCQ Don t rush through Go through ALL options even if you have an answer in mind Use elimination to narrow down to possible answers You can do working in science too!
Tackling O.E. Questions Use scientific terms e.g. attracted vs stick or attach magnetic objects to magnets Answer in context to question Clarity in Language - Be clear and specific the water must be the same Use simple sentences Ensure phrasing does not mislead and won t be interpreted as scientifically incorrect the water boiled and it lost heat and condensed
Tackling O.E. Questions: Tips Identify task words in question stem e.g. list, explain, suggest, conclude Identify objective of question asking about aim / procedure / pattern / conclusion? Identify specific concepts (Topic Concept) Look out for and use clues given: Diagrams., graphs, tables Earlier parts of question E.g. 2: Interpreting Graphs, Applying Marks given Make sure your answer has science concepts in it
Tackling O.E. Questions: Tips DO NOT memorize questions and model answers answer to the question
Some Final Points to Note Science has EQUAL weighting as other subjects in determining aggregate score Science is NOT a difficult subject, as long as concept is thoroughly understood Learning Science is about Understanding more than memorizing Basic Science skills is important in Secondary education and
Enjoy Learning Science
Thank you HOD SCIENCE yong_song_ling@moe.edu.sg LH SCIENCE moh_choy_ying@moe.edu.sg