The Primary 2 started the first term of 2012 with an interesting PAL Outdoor Educa-

tion Module which consisted of 8 lessons. The PAL Outdoor Education Module aims to

increase children’s awareness of and engagement with the nature and their environ-

ment.

Through the process, pupils develop a sense of curiosity and fascination for nature and

the great outdoors. It helps to nurture good values such as responsibility in pupils to

care for the Environment. Pupils learn that their actions can affect the environment

which will in turn have an impact on them. The pupils also develop the basic Outdoor

survival skills which include the basic safety precaution to take in the outdoor.

Can you tell the direction of the

wind? Watch where the bubbles float

Introduction to PAL Outdoor Education Module:

During the first lesson, the students played a game of treasure hunt. Using their keen

eyes, they had to locate the different character cards.

They had to discuss the words in their group and relate the characters discussed with

their group members. Through the “treasure hunt” game, pupils learned to work in

groups and also develop navigational skills.

1st Lesson: Keen Eyes

Plastic bags can act as wind vane

to tell the direction of wind too...

Moments during PAL

Tamp ines N or t h Pr imary Scho o l

Programme for Active Learning (Outdoor)

2012

The 2nd lesson was fun and interesting for the pupils. They were transformed into little

meteorologists as they learn to predict the weather conditions by looking at the sky

(cloud conditions).

They learned that weather is an important factor to decide whether an outdoor activ-

ity can be carried out. Pupils also made use of simple materials such as plastic bag, strip

of paper and blowing bubbles to determine the direction of the wind.

Let’s wait our turn….

2nd lesson: “What will the weather be like today?”

In the third lesson, pupils were involved in a hands-on activity where they were re-

quired to be little gardeners to plant their own seeds in the soil. The lesson started

with a little dramatization by the teacher and pupils in the classroom where pupils had

to imagine themselves to be the seeds and went through the different stages in the

plant growth.

Pupils demonstrated a sense of responsibility as they volunteer to water the plant and

to ensure that the plants received enough sunlight and water. They were overjoyed as

they observed the first leaves emerging and the plant growing taller day by day.

3rd lesson: Green Treasures

The seedlings growing towards the

window — stretch for sunlight!

Moments during PAL

Tamp ines N or t h Pr imary Scho o l

Programme for Active Learning (Outdoor)

2012

Teacher’s Reflection:

Pupils were very engaged during the activity. I like the dramatization segment

where pupils pretended to be seeds. They had so much fun acted out the

growth process of the seed when I described it.

Pupils’ Reflection:

I am in charge of putting the seeds in the soil. I have never done planting be-

fore. It’s so fun!

- Jovan Lim P2.5

I have learnt how seeds grow. It’s from the seed to seedling then to young

plant. I enjoyed the ‘acting’ activity.

- Zakirah P2.5

Our plants have grown! We took turns to water the seeds everyday. I must

not put too much water or they will die.

- Shivani P2.5

Green Treasures: Reflection

Tamp ines N or t h Pr imary Scho o l

Programme for Active Learning (Outdoor)

2012

During this lesson, pupils had to use their keen eyes to spot as many animals as they

could in the school eco garden.

They learned that working in a group is great as sometimes, their peers were very ob-

servant and they managed to spot animals that were not obvious.

We can spot more animals when we

work in a team! More pairs of keen

eyes!!!

4th Lesson: Animal Hunt

The pupils had a tremendous time at Tampines Eco Green Park. They were filled with

both excitement and some apprehension as it was their first outdoor trip.. However,

they soon forgot their worries as at Tampines Eco Green, the pupils were surprised at

their findings.

The most interesting part of the trip was when they spotted a shrub filled with pupae

hanging on the branches as well as caterpillars crawling among the leaves. It was a

pleasant treat for their lesson has come alive. When they read the big book, “A Butter-

fly is born” during their English lesson, they could only see and imagine the story from

the book. However, now they were looking at the real animals before their eyes. No

words can express their amazement!

6th lesson: Learning journey to Tampines Eco Green Park

Look out! Snail-crossing in eco

garden…

Moments during PAL

Tamp ines N or t h Pr imary Scho o l

Programme for Active Learning (Outdoor)

2012

The last lesson provides a closure to sum up what the pupils had learned. They went on

a journey to Pasir Ris Mangrove Swamp. Pupils felt better prepared this time as they

knew exactly what they should bring. With the keen eyes that they had developed dur-

ing the past 7 lessons, they were able to spot a swimming monitor lizard, climbing crabs,

and many more. It was definitely a fruitful learning journey for the pupils as well as the

teachers.

Our first outdoor trip to the ECO

Green Park.

8th lesson: Learning journey to Pasir Ris Mangrove Swamp

All in all, the programme had developed in our pupils good qualities such as resilience

and teamwork . They learned to take care of their classmates when they go on an out-

door trip as they are now aware of more risks and dangers they could encounter out-

door. They pupils also became more willing to try. Initially, some pupils were afraid of

dirt and creepy crawlies. However, when they observed some of their friends being so

courageous and willing to try out anything, they also joined in the activities.

Last lesson: We finally arrived at

Pasir Ris Mangrove Swamp!!!

Moments during PAL

Tamp ines N or t h Pr imary Scho o l

Programme for Active Learning (Outdoor)

2012