Primary To Secondary Subjects

Interesting Primary 3 Science Question - 4

2009-05-25T07:37:00.000+08:00

This is an interesting Science question set by a school in Tampines for Primary 3 students. I really wonder if it is necessary to set such a question for P3 students? Let's see if you can get the answer right.

____________ is correct, the rest are wrong.

Answer : C is the answer given by the school

Interesting Primary 3 Science Question - 3

2009-05-19T07:36:00.000+08:00

This is another interesting Science question for Primary 3 students. It seems like some teachers do not like any answer out of their standard answer though the government is asking people to think out of the box.

Here is the first part of the question (a);

Now this is the second part of the question that I feel quite interesting. The answer was marked wrong (1/2 mark) not because of the 'don't sinks' (grammar error), and the teacher told me that the word 'float' must be used instead of 'doesn't sink'.

The question asked is 'one difference' and not 'one difference in properties', so I feel that as long as the answer shows the differences which is one sink and the other doesn't, it should be correct. Unless the question specifically asked for properties or characteristic of the object, then words like 'sink' and 'float' should be used.

I also highlighted to the teacher that the standard answer should not include 'water' as the diagram does not indicate that it is water. 'Liquid' should be a more correct term than 'water'.

Interesting Primary 3 Science Question - 2

2009-05-15T15:49:00.000+08:00

This is another interesting Science question set by a primary school in Tampines for Primary 3.

Q. Which of the following materials can be used to make the part marked X?

A. Metal
B. Plastic
C. Wood

(1) A and B only
(2) A and C only
(3) B and C only
(4) A, B and C

The answer given by the school is : (3) B and C only

My answer : (1) A and B only or (4) A, B and C.
My reason : The question asked "Which of the following materials can be used..." and not "Which of the following materials are best used ....."

Metal and Plastic can be used as these materials can easily be bent into that shape marked X but for Wood is rather difficult and complicated to do so. Unless the question asked for "best used" then it is asking for "insulators" like Plastic and Wood.

In fact I'm using a pot that uses a Metal handle and I've seen kettle that used Metal handle too. By right, all the 3 materials can also be used for the part marked X.

School should refrain from setting such question.

Take A Break! - Jokes 1

2009-05-14T10:38:00.001+08:00

One truck driver was doing his usual delivery to the Mental Hospital.

He discovered a flat tyre when he was about to go home after unloading the stuff.

He jacked up the truck and took the flat tyre down.
When he was about to fix on the new tyre, he accidentally dropped all the bolts into the drain.

The truck driver was very sad as he can't fished the bolts up;started to panick.

Coincidentally, one patient walk past and asked the driver what happened.

The driver thought to himself, since there's nothing much he can do,he told the patient the whole incident.

The patient nonchantly replied: "can't even fix such a simple problem...no wonder you are destined to be a truck driver..." he goes on explaining:

"You just have to take one bolt each from the other 3 tyres and fix it onto this tyre. Drive to the nearest workshop and replace the missing
ones"

The driver was very impressed and asked "You're so smart but why do you stay in Mental Hospital?"

Patient replied: "I stay here because I'm crazy not STUPID!"_

Interesting Primary 3 Science Question - 1

2009-05-13T13:02:00.000+08:00

Before I show you this interesting question, please do a little reading up on this part regarding material - Activity 10.1.1 : Sorting natural and man-made materials and objects. (pg.152)

Note the 4 ways of classification;
- Material and object both natural eg. pebble, shell, bone
- Material natural, object man-made eg. garment, bottle-cork, roof-slate
- Material and object both man-made eg. glass bottle, cardboard box, brick
- Naturally-formed objects of man-made materials eg. steel rusted so much that original shape is lost

Now here is the question;
1. Study the classification table below carefully.

Now the first part of the question;
The standard answers given by the teacher (in green) are Group A : Natural Materials and Group B : Man-made materials.

The question asked "correct headings for the groups of item", and those items in Group A and B are not even materials but objects or items. The question did not ask for what material are they made of? So if the teacher will to ask questions on Materials, guess they have to be more precise in fielding their questions.

Maybe the more appropriate answers should be;
Group A : Material natural, objects man-made.
Group B : Material and objects both man-made.

Now the second part of the question;
The standard answers given by the teacher (in red) are;
X : rubber band
Y : styrofoam box

I do not understand why the teacher marked X : paper and Y : whiteboard wrong.

For X : Both paper and rubber band are also - Material natural, object man-made.
For Y : Both whiteboard and styrofoam box are also - Material and objects both man-made.

Note : I have in fact written to the Science teacher regarding the above question, and the teacher called me up and told me that he will check with the Science HOD (Head of Department). For more than 2 months, I've still yet to hear from him.

Primary 4 Science Test Papers

2009-05-08T09:26:00.001+08:00

I've uploaded some P4 Science Test papers with answers on Body Systems, Plant Systems, Matter, Energy, and Diversity. They can be found on the sidebar and are in Words Documents. If you have problem downloading them, please email me at singaparents@gmail.com

Primary 4 Science Notes

2009-05-07T10:56:00.000+08:00

I've uploaded the Primary 4 Science Notes on Cycles, Diversity, Energy and Systems. Though Diversity was covered in Primary 3, the teacher of my P4 child said that the Diversity of Living Things will be included in the 2009 SA1.

The notes can be found on the sidebar of this blog and are in Words documents. If you have problem downloaded it, kindly email to me at singaparents@gmail.com

Teaching My Kids From Primary To Secondary School

2009-05-06T09:55:00.000+08:00

Bringing up kids is tough. Teaching them is even tougher! How many of us are teaching or coaching our own kids in their school work? Or you are leaving them to the Tuition teachers? Nothing wrong with that as it's getting more and more difficult to teach them nowadays as it's difficult to understand the subjects syllabus and methods.

Teaching my children personally allowed me to understand their school work and their problems they faced in school better than leaving them to the private tutors. The purpose of this blog is to share and exchange ideas on how well we can teach or coach our kids. Besides that, we can also share the problems they faced in their schools.

In this blog, you may find some notes, questions and even Tests and Exam Papers with or without solutions/answers from various schools. Hope you like this blog.