Thursday, February 26, 2009

Staff Games 2009


Luncheon



P4 Level Teachers

Ms Loo Poh Keng
Ms Euodia Tay
Ms Ho Siew Hoon
Ms Chong Shing Yu
Ms Mok Sze Hui
Mr Raymond Weng
Ms Yap Kwee San
Ms Cindy Guo
Ms Zhang Jing
Mr Kelvin Tan



P5 Level Teachers
Ms Tan Ley Hoon
Ms Cynthia Chan
Ms Jaclyn Zeng
Ms Sylvia Tay




P6 Level Teachers
Ms Sharon Nathan
Ms Mok Pei Terk
Ms Serene Yeo
Ms Cheng May Ling
Ms Chua Hock Yen

Chinese Intermingling

Two High Ability classes and four GEP classes with a total of 186 pupils form the GEP CL Intermingling programme. Each intermingling class has about 32 pupils. There are a total of 6 intermingling classes.

The teaching pedagogies used in the intermingling CL classes is different from that of the mainstream classes. They follow the GEP pedagogies. GEP pupils are also taking part in the relevant mainstream activities that have been designed for P4 pupils.

Since the main objective of the Intermingling Programme is to build a communication and interaction platform for the gifted and mainstream pupils and to create opportunities for them to learn from one another, intermingling opportunities are also available during their co-curricular activities and level common activities like the camp etc. CCA activities also provide many opportunities for pupils to make friends, to solve problems together and enhance their relationship.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Chinese Language Learning

This year, there is a total of 8 teachers teaching Chinese language in the GE programme in the school. We have a different teaching focus for each of the three levels. For P4, our main focus is to motivate pupils’ learning in Chinese, as well as promoting intermingling amongst GE and mainstream pupils. For P5, we aim to sustain pupils’ interest in learning as well as building their foundation for PSLE since P6 is a crucial year as they are taking their PSLE,our main focus is to prepare them well for the PSLE.

Below is list of programmes specially organized for our GE pupils.

P4 teachers-in charge : Miss Yap Kwee San, Miss Chong Shing Yee, Miss Zhang Jing
1.P4 Language Camp to be held in Catholic High School on 19 March 2009
2.Tea Art Camp

P5 teachers-in charge: Mdm Tan Ley Hoon, Mdm Tay Wan Cheng, Mrs Tan-Chow Ying Fong*
1.Chinese Speech Training held every Tuesday and Wednesday 6.45am - 7.30am
2.P5 Cultural activity drama watching at Victoria Theatre on 7 March 2009
3.P5 Language Camp to be held in Nanhua Pri School on 18 March 2009

P6 teachers-in charge: Miss Chua Hock Yen, Mdm Ng Bee Lian, Mrs Tan-Chow Ying Fong*
1.P6 Cultural activity drama watching at Victoria Theatre on 7 March 2009

* At the beginning of the year, we identified pupils who are weaker in Chinese to do parallel teaching by Mrs Tan-Chow Ying Fong.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Social Studies Curriculum

The GEP Social Studies curriculum extends beyond the mainstream syllabus in depth and breadth. It makes interdisciplinary connections right from the start with the Primary 4 Family Tree Project and progressively caters more to individual needs and interests by allowing the pupils to choose the topics for their portfolio projects. This also helps to hone their decision-making skills. The curriculum does not focus only on the study of History but also Geography, Political Science, Economics and Sociology. The pupils are also encouraged to investigate real-life problems such as climate change and pollution. There are also opportunities for experiential learning through fieldtrips to heritage places such as Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India, understanding the different cultures better.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Science


The GEP Science programme starts in Primary 4 and is a three-year programme. It has a curriculum filled with creative and dynamic process of learning, investigating and interpreting observations of the natural and physical world. The enriched curriculum emphasises a hands-on, inquiry-based approach that is problem-centered and focused on the fundamental concepts of science. By being exposed to the processes of problem-solving, exploration and guided discovery, it is hoped that our pupils will develop the innovative skills and intellectual curiosity that will stimulate them to evaluate, challenge and create knowledge.

The aims of the enriched curriculum are aligned with those of the mainstream syllabus but are differentiated to reflect the needs and the ability of the Gifted. The differentiated objectives involve enriched breadth and greater depth of content. It aims to provide a firm foundation of scientific concepts and thinking skills to develop the scientific talents of gifted learners. The GEP course aims to:

provide experiences to develop pupils’ aptitude for science, to help them acquire skills, processes and attitudes for self-directed life-long learning;
provide opportunities for pupils to acquire in-depth understanding of scientific concepts, skills and processes, and apply them to everyday experiences;
nurture pupils’ ability to reason and communicate understanding of scientific concepts and principles, and develop skills for conducting independent scientific investigations and projects;
nurture pupils’ critical and creative thinking skills, to enable them to seek solutions to problems relevant to the pupils and to the community
nurture pupils’ appreciation of the use of science to solve technical, environmental and social problems, and cultivate awareness of the ethical and moral implication of scientific advancements, and
provide opportunities to develop qualities for responsible leadership

We provide a learning environment that is highly pupil-centred, stimulating and challenging. Our teachers are trained to create a non-threatening environment, acting as a facilitator by providing appropriate resources, and opportunities for intellectual stimulation. Pupils are also encouraged to problem-find and take risks.

Monday, February 16, 2009

P4L Class Activity



Future Problem Solving(FPS)

Founded by creativity pioneer, Dr. E. Paul Torrance, the Future Problem Solving Program engages students in creative problem solving, stimulates critical and creative thinking skills and encourages students to develop a vision for the future.

In Nanyang Primary School, Future Problem Solving is a year long program where students, working in teams, learn and apply a six-step problem solving process which provides them with the tools to tackle problems which they will meet throughout their life. Throughout the year, students apply the process to consider the challenges and issues contained within complex social and scientific problems to be faced in the future or tackle existing problems in their own communities. The program encourages students to carry out in-depth research, to think creatively and critically, to apply ethical thinking skills and to work as part of a team.  The topics for this year, which are selected by the FPSP committee, are Olympic Games, Cyber Conflict, Space Junk, Counterfeit Economy and Pandemic.

Nanyang Primary School has participated in the program since 2006 and has achieved commendable results, emerging Champions in the Asia-Pacific competitions every year since and our teams have done very well to be invited to the International Conference, held in the USA, every year.

As the words of wisdom from Dr. E. Paul Torrance goes, ‘To dream and to plan, to be curious about the future and to wonder how much it can be influenced by our efforts are important aspects of being human.’ Indeed, through the program, we hope to nurture better thinkers for tomorrow.