Tutor Niedino: Pri Science Questions and Concepts

[sunshine0809]

Heat travels from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature.Since John was in the cold room (lower temperature) before going to the shopping mall(higher temperature), he would gain heat from the surrounding in the shopping mall.Thus, he feels hot.

[greenbean2011]

dear Niedino,


from your experience, have you come across any book that contain all misconceptions written on Science concepts, topic by topic ? if Yes, can kindly recommend - by which publisher, author ?

truly appreciate, Thanks a million !

[Niedino]

My apologies for the extended delay in responding to the forum topics. I was caught up with work and a toddler approaching his terrible twos and really couldnt spare time to visit the forum. But thanks again to the moderators not deleting the topic.


I'll try to answer as many backlogged questions as possible.

[Niedino]

greenbean2011:

dear Niedino,


from your experience, have you come across any book that contain all misconceptions written on Science concepts, topic by topic ? if Yes, can kindly recommend - by which publisher, author ?

truly appreciate, Thanks a million !

Hi Green Bean,

Personally, I like the PSLE Ultimate Science Guide by EPH for the following reasons.

1. It is comprehensive (it is a giant book and for $19.90 you can certainly use it for at least 4 years, if you purchase it for your primary 3 child)

2. It has concept maps and examination tips, 2 things that you need in emergency preparations for exams.

3. A glossary, which your child can use to remember definitions.

There are more books but this is just my personal preference.

Hope this was helpful!

[Niedino]

anneshirleygilbert:

How do you answer this question on Heat and Temperature the Singapore PSLE way?


Scenario : John nd Mary walked into an air-conditioned shopping centre during the daytime. They made the following comments:

Mary : Brr ... it's freezing cold in here.
John : Are you kidding? It's so hot!

Q1. One of the teenagers above had just spent an hour packing frozen meat in the coldroom of a meat factory next to the shopping centre. Who is it?
Ans: John (easy enough)

Q2. Explain your answer.
The answer given in the assessment book is : \"Since John packed frozen meat in a coldroom, he would feel very cold. When he next walked into the shopping centre, he could feel the effect of the increase in temperature more intensely. This made him feel hotter than it actually was.\"

But my daughter said her science teacher said science questions must be answered the science way : meaning the words 'heat gain' and 'heat loss' must be used.

How would you answer this question to the satisfaction of the graders? Pls help.

well anneshirleygilbert,

Key words are important in answering Science questions. Try getting your child to underline or highlight the key words in her open-ended answers. If she cannot find key words such as heat gain or heat loss etc... she's probably too general in her statements.

E.g. Answer: John's body temperature was lower than Mary and the surrounding temperature (Must show comparision) so he experienced heat gain from the surroundings unlike Mary who experienced heat loss to the surroundings.

[Kayelinht]

Hi Niedino,


What are some of the better science assessment books out there?

[agpsle]

Kayelinht:

Hi Niedino,


What are some of the better science assessment books out there?

Hi Kayelinht, you may refer to a separate thread on Science Assessment Books: http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=19568&p=411345&hilit=science+assessment#p411345

For me, I like Teachers@work.

[agpsle]

For guide books, I prefer the My Pals PSLE Guide as it is in line with the texts and activity books that most schools are using.

[Niedino]

Hi moderators and monitors,


I was looking through the posts and it has deviated somewhat from my original intentions. I was and am still a newbie at forum posting. I find it a little difficult now to post up new misconceptions about Science as I do not want them get lost. Should I blog or submit articles instead?

[Niedino]

Came across this misconception and thought I’ll like to share.


In a common science experiment done for the Lower Block Energy (P4) activity book, students are required to predict and observe what happens when they shine a torch on an object. After shining a torch through blue and red cellophane paper, some promptly wrote, ‘a red / blue shadow can be seen on the wall’.

Color of shadows is a common misconception. Shadows are made when there is an absence of light, hence it is percieved as ‘black’. To avoid confusing our kids, we can teach them the phases ‘dark’ (when light is blocked by an opaque object) or 'faint (when light is blocked by a translucent object). There should not be any colored shadow as colors belong to the light spectrum.

Try this simple question with your child and unearth this potential misconception. Hope this helps.