Meridian Primary
Department of Science
Briefing to Parents of Primary 5 and 6 pupils
27 March 2010 (Saturday)
11 am to 11.45 am

Sharing
Miss Tan Li Li – General and multiple-choice questions
Mr Tay Koon Guan – Open-ended questions

Science education
• Knowledge and understanding;
Skills and application
• Desired values such as integrity, responsibility, respect

Science education
• Problem-solving ability is a life skill
• Adopt the scientific inquiry method such as asking questions, knowing where to look for the likely answers, checking for accuracy

Science education
• Enjoyment of the learning as a beginner’s mind
• Science is everywhere

Science at Meridian
At the end of 6 years at
Meridian, our pupils will :
• Lead their classmates in caring and protecting a green environment

Science at Meridian
• Manage tasks and problems using a wide repertoire of
Science process skills

Science at Meridian
• Communicate their insights about Science to their school mates and others

Objectives
At the end of the session, we will be able to :
• Be aware of the PSLE Science format and scope of major school examinations

Objectives
• Use the tips to help our children in managing mcq and open-ended questions

Primary Science Syllabus
(2008)
Five themes
Cycles, Diversity, Energy,
Interactions, and Systems

Primary Science Syllabus
(2008)
Pri 3 and Pri 4 – Lower Block – Five themes
Pri 5 and Pri 6 – Upper Block – Four themes (no theme on Diversity)

Useful links
• www.seab.gov.sg
• www.moe.gov.sg
• Subject syllabus and PSLE format
• Science and Foundation Science
PSLE

Format of Examinations
• Traditional pen and paper test
• Format and scope of examinations – in letter to parents of CA1

Format of Examinations
Alternate mode of assessment for Pri 3 to Pri 5 being tried out in mid 2010

PSLE Science
At one seating, two booklets A and B
Booklet A - Multiple-choice questions
Booklet B - Open-ended questions
Sample found in PSLE past year questions

PSLE Science
• 1 hour 45 min for Standard
Science
• 1 hour 15 min for Foundation
Science

Weightage
• Standard Science :
Multiple-choice questions – 60 marks,
Open-ended questions – 40 marks
• Foundation Science :
Multiple choice -38 marks
Open-ended questions – 32 marks
• Biological Science and Physical Science

Preparations at school
Class lessons – finish up content chapters
Supplementary classes
PSLE booklet for Science
Practice papers
Science projects / activities for interest

Self-study
Plan a timetable for revising the chapters over the next few months.
Keep up regular revision

Self-study
– Write down key points after reading the textbook
– Draw an ideas map on a big piece of paper and put it up for daily review

Self-study
–Voice out what is learnt during the self-study to another family member
–Outdoor trips

Self study
- Practise timing using mock test papers
– Understand where the errors are usually committed from the practice papers

• Study the question carefully and understand the situation given
• Associate question with the relevant topic

• Study the diagrams / pictures / graphs and note labels. If there are more than one diagram, compare differences
• Study the requirements of question.
“What”, “Where”, “Why”, “Which”,
“How”

Managing mcq
• Understand the options for the mcq. Some could be tricky.
• Think through answers again during the checks. Don’t do in a hurry.