Secondary 2 - 2016 Course Guide

“ Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. ”

- Malcom X

T H E L E A R N I N G L A B

At The Learning Lab, we are guided by our mission in everything we do:

• To provide compelling, interactive and thought-• provoking lessons to get students to think• beyond the confines of the classroom while• ensuring that they achieve their best possible• results academically; and

• To encourage students to dream big, plan well• and finally to succeed.

We will go the extra mile to help your child lay the foundation to success, both in school and in life, through nurturing a lifelong love for learning.

O U R C U R R I C U L U M

With a deep understanding of the differing needs of the various IPs, as well as the ‘O’ Level syllabus, our curriculum writers teach and test the effectiveness of our curriculum every week to ensure that every single lesson delivered to our students is relevant, engaging and challenging.

Teachers at The Learning Lab go through a very stringent selection process.

We look for energetic, bright and driven individuals from the top local and overseas instituitions, as well as industry professionals. We demand the best from them in terms of academics, leadership skills, and the ability to deliver inspiring lessons and motivate their students.

All teachers at The Learning Lab undergo an intensive Incubation Training Program. Conducted by our senior teachers and trainers, this program focuses on subjectmastery, content delivery, studentpsychology and parent management. It includes lectures, role play, observations and appraisal sessions.

O U R N U R T U R I N G A N D

PAS S I O N AT E T E AC H E R S

O U R C O N D U C I V E

L E A R N I N G E N V I R O N M E N T

Meticulous care is taken in every detail to ensure a conducive learning environment for our students.

We maintain an average teacher-student ratio of 1:15 to allow for optimal student-teacher engagement and increased effectiveness of teaching methods.

Our boardroom-style classroom setting is used to sharpen our students’ one-to-one and group presentation skills.

In the 2015 O-Levels, a bumper crop of over 50% of TLL students scored an A1 or A2 in English, 120% higher than the 2015 national average. Over 80% scored an A1 or A2 in math, 60% higher than the national average.

With our distinctive brand of education that ensures both academic excellence and world-readiness, our students are equipped with exceptional skills, and making just the right headway.

O U R S T E L L A R T R A C K R E C O R D

* Based on 2015 O Level results collated from students at The Learning Lab

Average of A1s & A2s in Math*

More than 80% of our ‘O’ Level students scored an A1 or A2 in Math, 60% higher than the 2015 national average.

N A T I O N A LA V E R A G E

T L L’ SA V E R A G E

6 0 %

H I G H E R

Average of A1s & A2s in English*

More than 50% of our ‘O’ Level students scored an A1 or A2 in English, 120% higher than the 2015 national average.

N A T I O N A LA V E R A G E

T L L’ SA V E R A G E

1 2 0 %

H I G H E R

E N G L I S H

This course develops students’ writing, speaking, reading and listening skills, enhancing their overall language appreciation and mastery.

The Learning Lab’s curriculum is specially developed to expose students to the best features in the various Integrated Programmes. The focus is on the development of critical reasoning skills (higher-order thinking) as well as creativity.

• Narrative Writing• Personal Recount• Reflective Writing• Expository Writing

• Argumentative Writing• Critical Analysis of Suggested

Responses

• Oral Presentations• Effective Communication &

Oratorical Skills

• Rhetorical Devices• Public Speaking / Speeches

Note:* denotes O Level-specific components

• Advanced Passages, • Content & Themes• Tackling Deeper• Inferential Questions

e.g. tone/perspective of author,literary devices like metaphorand irony

• Application to the Real World• Understanding and• Responding to Visual Stimuli *

e.g. web pages, posters, pamphlets,advertisements,

Writing Components

Comprehension

• Passages, Content & Themes• Mastery of Summary

Writing Techniques

• Critical Analysis ofSuggested Responses

Summary Skills

Presentation Skills

C O U R S E C O M P O N E N T S

Secondary 2

• Literary Appreciation• - Introduction to a variety of literary genres• - Introduction to poetry in a range of styles and structures• Literary Analysis• - Practical criticism: analysing• techniques, characters, themes

• Literary Application• - Practical criticism: in-depth analysis of text• - Critical Analysis of Suggested Responses

• Current Affairs and Global Issues• e.g. the 2016 State of the Union

Address, the Paris attacks, the Zikavirus outbreak

• Business and Entrepreneurship• e.g. profiles of industry leaders such

as Jack Ma, studying influentialcompanies like Uber and Google

• Technology and Science• e.g. drone usage, the impact of social

media, genetic ID cards, urbanfarming, artificial intelligence

• Ecology and Environment• e.g. ising sea levels, poaching,

environmental conservation,endangered species

• Politics and Economics• e.g. the Syrian migrant crisis, the

global threat of terrorism, Singapore’splace on the global stage, the one-child policy in China, case studies oninfluential political figures like BanKi-moon

Note:† denotes The Learning Lab additional components

Literature

Introduction to:

Real World & Life Skills Modules †

• Grammar Synthesis• e.g. using a variety of sentence

structures for impact

• Editing Skills*

Grammar Mastery

WRITING

• Analyzing the question• Brainstorming for ideas• Structuring the essays

We cover each English component in detail, teaching the necessary skills and techniques.

VISUAL TEXT

SHORTQUESTIONS

SUMMARY123

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EDITING

C O N T I N U O U SWRITING

• Narrative• Personal Recount• Reflective• Expository

SITUATIONAL WRITING

• Letter• Report• Speech• Proposal• Email

COMPREHENSION

• Analyzing the questions• Studying the text• Sourcing for answers• Packaging the answers

UNSEEN POETRY

SET TEXTUNSEEN PROSE (notes and/or lectures

for selected texts)

GOAL SETTING

CRITICALTHINKING

INDIVIDUALPRESENTATIONS

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LITER ATURE

• Analyzing the text• Forming a personal response• Identifying the techniques• Structuring the answer

REAL WORLD SKILLS

Nurturing Future Leaders

M AT H E M AT I C S

The shift from primary to secondary level math is a huge leap. We want to buffer the jump for our students byintroducing them to key secondarylevel mathematical topics and concepts in our Secondary program.

The real number system and the basics of arithmetic are introduced, along with more advanced and challenging mathematical concepts. Examples of topics covered include advanced factors and multiples, integers, rational numbers, estimation andapproximation, number sequences,algebra and equations.

Our goal is to stretch students further and stimulate their interest in the subject by injecting real worldapplication of math, fascinating mathematical concepts and literaturebeyond their syllabus. With a strongfocus on fundamental techniques,higher-order thinking and mathematical principles, we provide materials that are specially curated to give students a competitive edge in secondary school.

• Indices*• Standard Form*

• Surds*

• Algebraic Expansion, Factorisation & Manipulation

• Subject of Formulae• Advanced Algebraic Fractions• Direct & Inverse Proportions• Quadratic factorisation• Quadratic Equations

• Quadratic Formula*• Completing the Square*• Linear Inequalities• Simultaneous Equations• Non-linear Simultaneous

Equations*• Matrices*

Arithmetic & Set Notation

Algebra & Functions

• Linear Graphs• Quadratic Graphs• & Its Applications

• Coordinate Geometry*• Graphical Solution of Equations*• Graphs in Practical Solutions*

Graphs

• Advanced Mensuration • Scales & MapsMeasurement

Geometry and Trigonometry • Pythagoras’ Theorem• Congruence and Similarity• Congruent & Similar Triangles*• Congruency Tests*• Area & Volume of Similar

Figures & Solids*• Trigonometric Ratios*

• Angles of Elevation &Depression*

• Geometrical Properties ofCircles*

• Geometrical Proofs*

C O U R S E C O M P O N E N T S

Secondary 2

Note:* denotes IP components covered in Integrated Mathematics

The basics are introduced and quite quickly, more advanced and challenging concepts will be brought in.

Probability • Mutually Exclusive Events• Non-mutually Exclusive Events• Dependent Events

• Independent Events• Probability Tree Diagram

Statistics• Measures of Central Tendency -

Mean, Median & Mode• Data Analysis

• Cumulative Frequency Curve*• Standard Deviation*• Box & Whiskers Diagram*

NOTES &EX AMPLES

To cover important concepts and formulae. Detailed explanations by teachers in class.

FOUNDATIONALTUTORIALS

To ensure a clear and firm knowledge of the basics. Focus on content, formulaeand technical mastery.

DRILL TUTORIALS

To build a firm foundation of the basic technical skillsthrough ample practice.

INTERMEDIATETUTORIALS

To expose students to higher order thinking questions. Focus on strengthening problem solving skills and applications of the mathematical techniques.

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At The Learning Lab, the materials are carefully crafted by the dedicated curriculum team. Our Secondary Mathematics curriculum is customised to meet the needs of students

from a variety of schools.

EX AM & TEST ORIENTED TUTORIALS

To target exam-type questions. Foc us on f a m i l i a r i s i ng students with different types of examination questions of varying difficulties and expand their repertoire of questions.

CUSTOMIZEDLESSONS

• To cater to different students’needs. There will be teaching

• time, practice time and• Q&A time for each lesson.

• To ensure each student’s questionsfrom school are answered in eachlesson. Students will also receivetutorials suited to their schoolsyllabus to ensure reinforcementof concepts and ample practice.

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PR ACTICETESTS

• To test student’s knowledge of the• year’s work and serve as revision.• To develop important examination• skills like time management, reading• questions carefully, minimising

careless mistakes and auditing.

TOPICAL QUIZZES

To assess student’s under-standing of each topic. Trains time management sk i l l s dur ing tests .

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S C I E N C E

Our science program develops students’ scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as skills, values and attitudes. Students will acquire experimental skills and will be introduced to the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. The focus is on the development of critical reasoning skills (higher-order thinking) as well as creativity. There will be a plethora of experiments, to introduce science as a fun and exciting subject and inspire students to pursue science at a higher level.

We have school-specific clusters, as well as separate biology, chemistry and physics clusters, to best meet the needs of our students in a timely manner, according to what they are covering in school.

• Experimental Skills• Experimental Design• Data Analysis

• Laboratory Apparatus• Laboratory Safety

• Cell Structure, Function• and Organisation• Movement of Substances• Respiration• Biological Molecules• Enzymes• Nutrition in Humans• Nutrition in Plants• Transport in Humans• Transport in Plants• Reproduction in Humans• Reproduction in Plants

• Molecular Genetics• Inheritance• Organisms and their

Environment• Diversity and Classification• Microorganisms †• Microbial Techniques †

Antibiotics †• Pathogens †• Hydroponics*• Plant Tissue Culture*

General Science

Biology

• Elements, Compounds• and Mixtures• Separation Techniques• Solutions & Suspensions• Classification of Matter• Kinetic Particle Theory• Atomic Structure

• Chemical Changes• The Periodic Table• Chemical Bonding• Chemical Equations• Chemical Calculations• Acids and Bases

Chemistry

C O U R S E C O M P O N E N T S

Secondary 2

Note:* denotes topics only covered by selected schools† denotes IP components

Note:* denotes topics only covered by selected schools† denotes IP components

• Physical Quantities, Units• & Measurement• Kinematics*• Dynamics• Mass, Weight & Density• Turning Effects of Forces• Forces• Pressure*• Work, Energy & Power• Kinetic Model of Matter• Transfer of Thermal Energy• Temperature & Effects• of Heat• Thermal Properties of Matter*• General Wave Properties*• Light

• Current of Electricity• D.C. Circuits• Practical Electricity• Sound*• Electromagnetic Spectrum*• Nuclear Physics*• Static Electricity*

Physics

All topics are named after those presented in the MOE (SEAB) O-level syllabus.

C O U R S E C O M P O N E N T S

Secondary 2

- Reflection - Refraction - Lenses*

We cover each science topic in detail, using the fol lowing teaching tools.

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NOTES

For content mastery

MCQ & FRQ TUTORIALS

For practice and assessment

CONCEPT MAPS

For consolidation

TOPICAL TESTS

For review and assessment

PR ACTICETESTS

For review andassessment

HANDS ON COMPONENTS

For reinforcement of concepts

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