Distinction
"Research Project Studies (RPS)" is introduced in Primary 4, which is a program to teach skills needed in research. "Individualized Study Options (ISO)", which is compulsory for pupils in Primary 5, wherein pupils do research on a specific topic. The students were asked to choose their own projects in Primary Five under Teacher Mentors. The student-teacher ratio is normally from 4:1 to 5:1. Formerly, the Study Options given were:
- – Individualized Research Studies (IRS)-> research and present your findings
- – InnoVation Programme (IvP, formerly IP) -> students invent or improve things to solve everyday problems
- – Future Problem Solving Programme (FPSP)
As of 2012, Tao Nan School only offers the first two.
Pupils in the GEP have to take Social Studies as a graded subject. Based on the mainstream textbook syllabus, students will have to study in-depth content. Lessons in the GEP are conducted with no textbooks or workbooks, with the exception of Chinese and Higher Chinese; lessons are more discussion-, worksheet- and project-oriented.
Pupils in GEP learn poetry and literature (Charlotte's Web in Primary 4, A Wrinkle in Time in Primary 5, and Friedrich in Primary 6) as part of the Concept Unit under the English Language subject.
Primary 5 pupils are required to write a Mystery Story as a process writing piece, with 2–3 drafts handed in to the English teacher. Also, based on the book 'A Wrinkle In Time', they will have a group (consisting of about 5–6 people per group) project of a court scene to 'try' characters. The pupils are supposed to act out the created scene with research done on how to speak in court. This project is graded.
In Primary 6, a graded Mathematics Alternative Assessment (Math Aa) is given. The pupils will have to choose from 6–7 projects that GEP branch officers in the Ministry of Education (MOE) create. These projects are individual and include research, a product to be made and reflections. These have to be properly presented, otherwise the projects would lose marks.
Read more about this topic: Gifted Education Programme (Singapore)
Famous quotes containing the word distinction:
“Only where there is pecuniary equality can the distinction of merit stand out.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“At sundown, leaving the river road awhile for shortness, we went by way of Enfield, where we stopped for the night. This, like most of the localities bearing names on this road, was a place to name which, in the midst of the unnamed and unincorporated wilderness, was to make a distinction without a difference, it seemed to me.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“We mustn’t be stiff and stand-off, you know. We must be thoroughly democratic, and patronize everybody without distinction of class.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)