iPSLE Course Details
The Primary School curriculum centres on 3 disciplines to achieve the many desirable learning outcomes. They are:
1. Life Skills
Life skills that ensure students acquire sound values and skills to take them through life as responsible adults and active citizens. It comprises the non-academic curriculum such as moral education, health education, physical education and extra- curricular activities.
2. Knowledge Skills
Knowledge skills that seek to develop students’ thinking, process and communication skills. This will enable students to analyse and use information and be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively. It comprises skills- based subjects such as integrated project work, public speaking and computer application lessons.
3. Content Based Subjects
Content-based subject disciplines i.e. Languages (English, Chinese and Thai), Humanities & the Arts (social studies, art & crafts and music) and Mathematics & Sciences. It ensures that students have a good grounding in content across different areas of study.
A brief explanation of the core subjects are presented below:
The English Language Curriculum
The English Language curriculum will help pupils become independent lifelong learners, creative thinkers and problem solvers who can communicate effectively in English.
At the end of their primary and secondary education, pupils will be able to :
(1) Listen to, read, speak, write and make presentations in internationally acceptable English that is grammatical and fluent.
(2) Think through, interpret and evaluate fiction and non-fiction texts.
(3) Interact effectively with people from their own or different cultures.
The syllabus is conceptualised as a single document for primary and secondary levels to maintain continuity in language teaching and allow for greater flexibility in catering to pupils’ needs. It focuses on language use, learning outcomes, text types and grammar.
The Mathematics Curriculum
The Mathematics curriculum will help pupils to develop and improve a pupil’s intellectual competence in logical reasoning, spatial visualisation, analysis and abstract thought. Students develop numeracy, reasoning, thinking skills, and problem solving skills through the learning and application of mathematics.
At the end of their primary and secondary educations, pupils will be able to :
(1) Acquire the necessary mathematical concepts and skills for everyday life, and for continuous learning in mathematics and related disciplines.
(2) Develop the necessary process skills for the acquisition and application of mathematical concepts and skills.
(3) Develop the abilities to reason logically, communicate mathematically, and learn cooperatively and independently.
A unique feature of the Singaporean Mathematics syllabus lies in teaching mathematical problem solving. This involves the acquisition and application of mathematics concepts and skills in a wide range of situations, including non-routine, open-ended and real-world problems. Different methods of problem solving are also taught which include the model drawing method, the algebraic method, the heuristics approach and the conventional numerical calculation approach.
The Science Curriculum
The Science curriculum will help pupils to balance between the acquisition of science knowledge, process and attitudes. Central to the curriculum framework is the inculcation of the spirit of scientific inquiry. The conduct of inquiry is founded on three integral domains of:
(a) Knowledge, Understanding and Application
The approach towards the learning of science is based on themes that students can relate to in their everyday experiences, and to the commonly observed phenomena in nature. The five themes chosen are: Diversity, Cycles, Systems, Energy and Interactions. These themes encompass a core body of concepts in both the life and physical sciences.
(b) Skills and Processes
In this syllabus, teachers are encouraged to provide opportunities for students to use concepts and integrate skills and processes to inquire things and phenomena around them.
(c) Ethics and Attitudes.
In all scientific inquiry, the adoption of certain mental attitudes such as Curiosity, Creativity, Integrity, Objectivity, Open-mindedness, Perseverance and Responsibility is advocated.
At the end of their primary and secondary educations, pupils will be able to :
(1) Provide primary students with experiences which build on their interest in and stimulate their curiosity about their environment.
(2) Provide students with basic scientific terms and concepts to help them understand themselves and the world around them.
(3) Provide students with opportunities to develop skills, habits of mind and attitudes necessary for scientific inquiry.
(4) Prepare students towards using scientific knowledge and methods in making personal decisions.
(5) Help students appreciate how science influences people and the environment.
The thrust of science education is to prepare our students to be sufficiently adept as effective citizens, able to function in and contribute to an increasingly technologically-driven world.
