P6 Science Mass Lecture Series

Part 1

PSLE Science Syllabus P3-P6

Energy

Interactions
Systems

Cycles
Diversity

THEME- ENERGY Energy Forms and Uses (Light) Lower Block P4

TOPIC Formation of shadow transparency of materials object is a source of light or reflects light Good and bad conductors of heat effects of heat gain and heat loss heat flow thermometers heat and temperature common sources of heat

Energy Forms and Uses (Heat) Lower Block P4

THEME - ENERGY

TOPICS

Energy Conversion of energy Conversions Examples of forms of energy Upper Block P6 Sun as the main source of energy

Energy Forms and Uses (Photosynthesis) Upper Block P6

Requirements for photosynthesis Food for plants and animals Sun as primary source of energy Living things need energy

THEME INTERACTIONS Interactions of forces (magnets) Lower Block P4 Interactions of forces Upper Block P6

TOPICS Uses of magnets Magnet making Characteristics of magnets Effects of forces Examples of types of forces magnetic force, gravitational force, elastic spring force, frictional force Push or pull

THEME INTERACTIONS Interactions within the Environment Upper Block P6

TOPIC Examples of mans impact on the environment Structural and behavioural adaptations Habitats support different communities Differentiating organism, population, community Energy pathway in food chains or food webs Factors affecting organisms survival

THEME SYSTEMS

TOPIC

Human System (Digestive) Lower Block P4

Plant System (Plant Parts and Functions) Lower Block P4 Plant and Human Systems Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Upper Block P5

Functions of digestive system Organ systems in humans

Plant parts and functions Organism is a system

Integration of systems in carrying out life processes Transport of nutrients, water and oxygen in plants and animals Organs and functions of human respiratory and circulatory systems Air is a mixture of gases

THEME SYSTEMS Cell System Upper Block P5

TOPIC Cell parts and functions Plant and animal cells Unit of Life Conservation of electrical energy Use and handling of electricity Relating electrical conductors and heat conductors Electrical conductors and nonconductors Components of circuits, closed circuit, electrical circuits

Electrical System Upper Block P5

THEME - CYCLES

TOPIC

Cycles in Matter States of matter and Water (Matter) Matter has mass and occupies Lower Block P3 space Cycles in Plants and Animals (Life Cycles) Lower Block P3 Life cycles of plants and animals Different organisms have different life cycles

THEME - CYCLES
Cycles in Plants and Animals (Reproduction) Upper Block P5

TOPIC
Similarity in fertilisation in flowering plants and animals Processes in sexual reproduction of flowering plants Plant reproduction by spores and seeds

Cycles in Matter Water conservation and Water (Water) Water pollution Upper Block P5 Importance of water cycle Water cycle Melting and boiling points of water Effect of heat gain and loss on states of water Water exists in 3 states

THEME DIVERSITY
Diversity of Materials Lower Block P3 Diversity of Living and Non-living things Lower Block P3

TOPIC
Relating properties to uses Material comparison There is a great variety of materials Characteristics and needs of living things

PSLE Paper Format

P6 MAINSTREAM Format
Section Type of question Weighting

Multiple choice 30 Questions Open-ended 14 Questions Total:

60%

40% 100%

Duration of Exam : 1 hr 45 mins

Related Concepts
Matter
Heat
water changes state

Processes in Water Cycle

as in ice can melt

can be
can be solid liquid

can be
as in gas to become water can condense as in steam

to become freeze

can

can

to become

evaporate to become

Water vapour

MCQ Strategies

MCQ Requires working!

Highlighting key words Identifying concepts Jotting down or drawing what you know Eliminating options

The food chains below show the food relationships among some organisms that are found in the same field. Food chain 1: Plant P Q Food chain 2: Plant Z R

It was observed that the population of Organism Z was increasing steadily over 3 years. Based on the information given above, what is/ are the likely cause(s) for the increased number of Organism Z?

A: an increase in the number of Q. B: an increase in the number of P. C: a decrease in the number of R. D: a decrease in the number of plants. (1) C only (2) A and B only (3) A and C only (4) C and D only

Q +, P-, plant +, Z + P+, Plant -, zR-, Z+ Plant -, Z-

Predator Prey

Predator Prey

Predator

OPEN-ENDED QUESTION STRATEGIES

Areas for improvement:

Use scientific key words or phrases in answers to demonstrate understanding of scientific concepts Apply concepts to explain events or happenings in new situations.

In an experiment, Johan placed two identical kettles on two metal plates of the same material with different surfaces. The kettles contained the same amount of water at room temperature. The plates were heated from below.

(a) In which kettle, A or B, would the water boil first? Give a reason for your answer. (1m)

(a) The water in Kettle A would boil first. This is because of the larger surface area of contact between the kettle and the metal plate.

(b) In a desert, snakes crawl on the hot sand while lizards run using two of its four legs.

Based on this observation, give two reasons why this lizard can move over a longer distance on hot sand compared to the snake in a desert.

Reason 1: The snake has a larger surface area of contact with the hot sand while the lizard has a smaller surface area of contact with the hot sand. Reason 2: There is more friction between the snake and the sand as compared to the friction between the lizard and the sand. The difference arises because of the way they move.

Useful steps to follow:

Step 1: Identify what the question wants clues from the question stem/ diagram

Step 2: Identify the science topic and concept. Step 3: Study the diagram/ data (if any) and use the key words/ concepts from the topic (s) to answer the question.
Step 4: Frame an answer that links the key words/ concepts to a logical reason and answer within the context.

Mrs Lee finds it difficult to remove a ring from her finger. How would you advise her to remove it?

Use hot water? Use cold water?

 A force is a push or a pull. A force can change the motion (speed & direction) and the shape of an object. Examples of different types of forces: - magnetic force, gravitational force, frictional force Friction is affected by contact surface textures. There are ways to reduce friction. Objects have weight because of the gravitational force between them and Earth.

Mrs Lee finds it difficult to remove a ring from her finger. How would you advise her to remove it? Give a reason for the method used. Use soapy water. It is slippery and makes it easier to take out the ring?

Mrs Lee finds it difficult to remove a ring from her finger. How would you advise her to remove it? Give a reason for the method used. Soapy water helps to reduce the friction between the ring and skin.

If soapy water is not used, there will be a lot of friction between the ring and the skin. X

How do swimming caps help competitive swimmers swim faster?

Smooth and so help the swimmers swim faster?

The cap reduces the friction (water resistance) between the hair and water.

Why is it not advisable to walk on a wet pavement in rubber slippers?

It is too slippery?

Water reduces friction between the soles of the slippers and pavement so the person may slip and fall easily.

Your turn to try!

(a) What would you do to remove a cap that is screwed onto a bottle tightly?

Use a thick piece of cloth to twist the cap.

(b) Explain your answer. This will increase the friction between the cap and hand to give a better grip to twist the cap.

What is the outer body covering of the animal shown in the diagram below?
Fur

How does the thick fur keep the animal from the cold?

 Heat is a form of energy.

Temperature is a measurement of the degree of hotness of an object. Heat flows from a hotter to a colder place until both reach the same temperature. Examples of heat gain/ loss in our everyday life change in temperature, changes in state of matter, objects expand/ contract Metals are good conductors of heat. Wood, plastic and air are examples of bad conductors of heat.

Fur traps more air

and air is a poor conductor of heat

so heat loss from the body is reduced.

How does winter clothing keep a person warm in the cold?

Winter clothing is made of wool and wool can trap more air which is a poor conductor of heat to reduce heat loss from the body.

Some birds fluff up their feathers on cold days. How does this help them to keep warm?

More air is trapped when the feathers are fluffed up as air is a poor conductor of heat
and thus heat loss from the body is reduced

Your turn to try!

Ice blocks used to be covered with thick cloth when transported from place to place. (a) What is the purpose of this?
Melting of ice will be slower.

(b) Explain your answer.

The thick cloth traps a lot of air spaces. Air is a poor conductor of heat so heat gained by the ice from the surroundings is reduced.

THANK YOU.