Periodic Table (Term 1)

Issues in teaching and Learning Science
I still remember vividly our first science lesson, when Ms Nada gave us a quick test on the periodic table and its elements. People started complaining that they didn't know anything straight away, and therefore refused to do the paper. I smirked in silence because I was exposed to the topic two years ago after PSLE, where our tuition teacher felt that we should have the opportunity to learn some other stuff out of the syllabus. When I browsed through the questions, I started having many questions of my own. Secondary 2 is definitely different from Secondary 1, where we are sort of "re-learning" all of the topics we covered in primary school, such as photosynthesis and cells. Now, we will be touching on new areas of Science, into what is really interesting and magical about it, into the things I wondered about when I was a kid (aren't I one still now, haha), like tiny atoms and gigantic stars. We could finally do fun experiments, not those like "how many clips can this magnet attract" kind, but the type where we got to actually "play and experiment" with different liquids and solids, perhaps made famous by the cartoon shows we used to watch where the scientist would mix sinister coloured liquid in long tubes connected to machines of all sorts. Well, it looks like thus far I have been mostly talking about my anticipations and excitement for this year's science lessons. I guess it's time for me to move on.


The periodic table helped to present all the known atoms in a presentable manner and is classified according to its properties. Nothing much to say about it really, it is the atoms inside it that are the really interesting.

Reflections on termly personal performance and growth development in ScienceThe lessons on the Periodic Table of Elements deal with the nature of the elements, how they react, their appearances and how they are classified. I found the learning and discovery process very enjoyable, and I had many questions to ask, which is good as it resulted in a good OP grade :) I was suddenly aware of all the possibilities that these elements can create, and I have also started questioning myself what are the things I see made of at the smallest level - for example things like sponge, jelly, they just seem so weird and special, what could possibly be the elements that form it? With the astronomical number of possible different combinations of elements, no wonder scientists are excited.

Introduction

This blog was created specifically for the purpose of being my personal e-portfolio. The objectives of this eportfolio is to:

• reflect on the content knowledge taught and personal growth in Science.
• access information and develop critical viewpoints from a variety of sources
• acquire one of the 16 Habits of Mind: Metacognition, thinking about thinking.
• showcase best research write-up, assignments and projects

The components of this eportfolio are:

• contain summaries of the important issues and activities covered in the science coursework.
• termly reflections on students’ personal growth in science and performance in the science assessment test.
• reflections on science excursions (may not organized by the school), laboratory sessions, sabbaticals and field activities.
• critical reviews of new science breakthroughs or discoveries in science journals, books, magazines, newspapers and the internet.
• other evidences of independent research related to Science.
• showcase of exemplary samples of your students’ own work, research write-ups and projects.

Ok, I know I basically copied and pasted the above from the Lower Sec Science website, but anyway it serves as a reminder to me what should be in my reflections. I won't be making this blog so "formal", since it is a blog anyway, I feel that it is only my responsibility to liven it up and make it interesting to readers.

Happy reading!