BEHAVIOUR AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT (EDU 3104)

TUTORIAL WEEK 13: Information on Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in Singapore

Mission & Vision of GEP

MISSION The mission statement of the Gifted Education Programme is to provide leadership in the education of the intellectually gifted. The programme is committed to nurturing gifted individuals to their full potential for the fulfilment of self and the betterment of society. VISION The vision is to make the Gifted Education Programme a model of excellence in the education of the intellectually gifted. This will be achieved by providing professional expertise and exemplary resources to develop intellectual rigour, humane values and creativity in gifted youths to prepare them for responsible leadership and service to country and society.

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Chinese Language Camp

Aim The aim is to enhance pupils interest in learning Chinese, through participation in activities related to Chinese Language and culture; and to create a platform for pupils to demonstrate their creativity and talents through using Chinese as the medium of communication. Description This is a one-day camp that is held annually during the March holidays. It is organised by the Gifted Education Branch for all Primary 5 mixed Chinese Language class pupils (GEP and their non-GEP classmates) in the GEP schools. At the camp, pupils have the opportunity to learn Chinese through cultural workshops and speech & drama lessons. There will also be a skit competition which will require them to perform their own creative adaptations of a script. Target Group All Primary 5 GEP pupils, as well as their classmates in the mixed classes.

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Chinese Language Poem Writing and Recitation Contest
Aim The aim of the contest is to enhance pupils interest in learning Chinese, through exposure to poetry and multiple ways of presenting poetry. Description This is a half-day event that is held in July. It is organised by the Gifted Education Branch for all Primary 4 mixed Chinese Language class pupils (GEP and their non-GEP classmates) in the GEP schools. Pupils are taught to appreciate classical and contemporary poems during their Chinese lessons. This contest is a platform for pupils to showcase their ability in poetry writing and recitation as a result of those lessons. Target Group All Primary 4 GEP pupils, as well as their classmates in the mixed classes.

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Science Carnival

Aim The carnival aims to provide a platform for learning Science beyond the classroom for P4 gifted and high-ability pupils. Description The Science Carnival is organised by the Gifted Education Branch and the Science Centre Singapore to promote interest in Science. It allows pupils to explore and experience Science through hands-on workshops and activity stations. The Carnival provides a platform for gifted and high-ability pupils to interact with peers from other schools. For the SBGE students who help out with the event by leading groups and managing activity booths, the Carnival also offers them opportunities to serve their younger peers. The Carnival is held at the Science Centre Singapore. Target Group All Primary 4 GEP pupils Selected High-ability Learners (HALs) in Science

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Creative Arts Programme (Primary)

Aim The programme aims to nurture budding young writers at the Primary 5 level. By offering them guidance in the art of creative writing, the programme hopes to help young writers improve their writing craft and enhance their literary understanding. CAP activities thus provide a platform for like-minded pupils who are passionate about the arts and about writing to meet and mutually develop their interests. Description The camp comprises the following: writing workshops with published writers peer critique sessions with writing peers hands-on sessions with arts practitioners to experiment with art forms Target Group Selected Primary 5 pupils (both GEP and HAL) who have interest and aptitude in creative writing (in English).

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Actitude P5 Leadership Camp

Aim The aim of the camp is to provide leadership training for selected potential leaders from GEP schools through an outdoor adventure programme. Description During the camp, authentic situations are planned to allow pupils to develop and apply leadership skills. The three-day residential camp includes an expedition to Pulau Ubin. Pupils also engage in group and individual reflection so that they can think about their camp experiences and gain insights to enhance their leadership capacity. Target Group Selected GEP pupils and High-ability Learners (HALs) from the 9 GEP schools. Participants are selected based on a combination of self-assessment and teacher-assessment.

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Mathematics Trail (GEP)

Aim The aim is to provide opportunities for pupils to apply mathematical skills to solve real-life problems. Through complementing the content of Mathematics taught in the classroom, the Trail hopes to help pupils develop an appreciation and enjoyment of Mathematics in everyday situations. Description The activity is usually conducted within the school compound, school neighbourhood, or at various parks or places of interest. The Mathematics Trail provides a good opportunity for pupils to experience the relevance of Mathematics in real life. It emphasises skills such as estimation and mental calculation. At the Trail, pupils will use creative thinking skills to design feasible methods of solving real-life problems. They will also employ mathematical skills to make good estimates of the measurements needed. Target Group Primary 5 GEP pupils

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Primary Mathematics Masterclass (PM2)

Aim The aim is to challenge pupils who have demonstrated exceptional ability in Mathematics by exposing them to topics beyond those covered in the GEP Primary Mathematics curriculum. The pupils will be exposed to the thinking that is characteristic of a mathematician and learn to communicate mathematical ideas fluently. Description This is held over three days in the June holidays. Based on results in a selection test, about 30 Primary 5 pupils from the 9 primary GEP schools will be selected to attend the Masterclass. There will be an emphasis on developing problem-solving skills through interesting and challenging problems. After the Masterclass, some pupils will be selected to participate in the Primary Mathematics Masterclass Mentorship. Participants will have the opportunity to be mentored by a mathematician and do research in Mathematics. The selection of participants for the mentorship programme will be based on their interest as well as learning attitude. Target Group Selected Primary 5 GEP pupils and pupils who have high ability in Mathematics.

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Science Activity with NParks, A Walk in the Park
Aim The activity aims to provide exposure to science content outside the syllabus, develop pupils love for nature, as well as allow pupils to apply their scientific knowledge to real issues. Description This activity is organised in collaboration with NParks. Pupils will embark on a guided tour to one of the parks or nature reserves to learn about the rich biodiversity of flora and fauna found in Singapore. They will learn about the importance of conserving our natural heritage and the part they can play to care for our environment. Target Group All Primary 5 GEP pupils

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Advanced Mathematics Enrichment Classes

Aim The aim is to provide enriching learning experiences beyond the core curriculum to pupils with exceptional abilities in Mathematics. The Advanced Mathematics Enrichment Classes encourage the pupils to explore broader and deeper mathematical concepts, and allow the pupils to focus their energies on enriched and advanced work in Mathematics over an extended period of time. Description The 2-hour long classes are conducted outside curriculum time once a week. Pupils who have demonstrated even higher ability will be selected to participate in Mathematics competitions such as the RI Primary Mathematics World Contest, Singapore Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools and National Mathematics Olympiad of Singapore. In the Advanced Mathematics Enrichment Classes, pupils will be exposed to various challenging advanced mathematical problems. They will discuss and examine these advanced mathematical concepts in greater breadth and depth, and learn different and efficient problem-solving strategies to tackle problems. Target Group Selected Primary 5 and 6 GEP pupils who are mathematically precocious

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Mathematics Exploration Day Do the Math!
Aim The aim is to provide a platform for learning Mathematics beyond the classroom curriculum by exposing pupils to the vast applications of Mathematics. Description It is an out-of-class activity jointly organised by the Gifted Education Branch, Raffles Girls School (Secondary) and Raffles Institution to encourage pupils to explore and apply their mathematical knowledge as well as to foster collaboration and teamwork. During the 1-day event, pupils have the opportunity to learn new mathematical concepts through a series of workshops and interesting mathematical games and activities. In addition, the event serves as a platform for pupils to interact and discuss mathematical ideas with other pupils who share the same interest in Mathematics. Target Group Selected Primary 6 GEP pupils and Primary 6 High-ability Learners (HALs) in Mathematics from the mainstream.

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Physics to Excite

Aim The aims are to interest pupils in Physics, and to allow them to develop their creative and scientific thinking skills through demonstrations and hands-on sessions. Description Physics to Excite is carried out as a post-examination activity for Primary 6 GEP pupils and is held at the Physics Department in the National University of Singapore. This enrichment activity has been developed in the spirit of allowing students to discover and re-discover science through hands-on experience and interactive learning. The science demonstrations aim to build students understanding of Physics concepts by using visually impactful examples of scientific phenomena. Similarly, the D.I.Y. toys that the students get to construct (and take home) help to highlight scientific principles in an engaging manner. Target Group All Primary 6 GEP pupils

GEP Enrichment Programmes and Activities: Science Talent Development Camp

Aim The aim is to cater to the interests and abilities of GEP pupils who are highly able in Science through the learning of advanced science concepts. Description This is an annual two-day camp co-organised by the Gifted Education Branch, Raffles Institution and Raffles Girls School (Secondary) for selected Primary 6 GEP pupils who show strong interest and aptitude for Science. This camp challenges pupils who are talented in Science through the learning of advanced scientific concepts beyond the primary Science curriculum. The pupils will be given opportunities to work on scientific investigations in well-equipped laboratories. They are exposed to scientific investigations such as, DNA structure elucidation using PCR and gel electrophoresis, and making new communication devices using optic fibres.. Target Group Selected Primary 6 GEP pupils with strong interest in and aptitude for Science.

Enrichment Activities and Programmes for High-Ability Learners

1) RHB - The Straits Times National Spelling Championship (RHBSTNSC) Target Group: Primary 4 6 pupils Description: The competition, formerly known as the National Spelling Championship from 2007 to 2011, is organised annually by the Gifted Education Branch. The RHB-STNSC aims to develop a greater appreciation of the importance of spelling in literacy development among Primary 4 6 pupils in Singapore. The competition provides pupils with the opportunity to pit their spelling skills against one another by applying strategies to help them spell words both familiar and unfamiliar to them.

Enrichment Activities and Programmes for High-Ability Learners

2) Wits & Words: Inter-school Debate Championship Target Group: Primary 5 & 6 pupils Description: The Inter-school Debate Championship is jointly organised by the Gifted Education Branch with Debate Association (Singapore) and Raffles Girls School (Secondary). This competition focuses on building the oral competencies of verbally talented pupils. The Inter-school Debate Championship also enjoys the support of the National Library Board. In 2013, NLB is offering four regional workshops on library research for interested debating teams and teachers.

Enrichment Activities and Programmes for High-Ability Learners

3) Creative Arts Programme (Primary) Target Group: Primary 5 pupils who have interest and aptitude in creative writing (in English). Description: The camp provides participants with the opportunity to interact with professionals from various arts disciplines, including published writers who can offer them advice on how to hone their writing skills. The camp comprises the following: -writing workshops with published writers -peer critique sessions with writing peers -hands-on sessions with arts practitioners to experiment with art forms

Enrichment Activities and Programmes for High-Ability Learners

4) Primary Mathematics Project Competition Target Group: All Primary 4 and Primary 5 pupils Description: This competition is jointly organised by the Gifted Education Branch and NUS High School of Mathematics and Science to encourage pupils to carry out innovative and creative work in Mathematics. The competition is targeted at pupils from two grade levels, in three categories. At the Primary 4 level, the competition theme, Mathematics is Around Us, requires pupils to submit a poster or report. At the Primary 5 level, the competition theme, Mathematics is Fun, requires pupils to submit a game they have designed.

Enrichment Activities and Programmes for High-Ability Learners

5) P4 Science Carnival Target Group: Selected Primary 4 pupils with high ability in Science All Primary 4 GEP pupil Description: It aims to provide a platform for learning of Science beyond the classroom for P4 gifted and high-ability pupils. It allows pupils to explore and experience Science through hands-on workshops and activity stations. The Carnival provides a platform for gifted and high-ability pupils to interact with peers from other schools. The carnival also offers SBGE students opportunities to serve their younger peers by leading groups and managing activity booths.