We cannot see most of the cells with our eyes. We need to magnify them under a special instrument called the microscope. A microscope is a very delicate instrument. You must handle it with care.

Before you handle a real microscope, click on the link below to watch a video on how to operate one. Pay attention to the steps mentioned in the video. (Your PC needs to be installed with Flash Player to view it.)

Introduction to Microscope

Now that you have an idea of how to operate a microscope, you may view some slides with a virtual microscope. You may want to go through a navigation guide by clicking ‘Start tour’ first.

Then view the following slides under the virtual scope:
a) letter “e” - draw what you see in the virtual scope in your Activity Book Pg
b) cheek smear
c) onion root tip
Compare the difference between the cells in (b) and (c).

Virtual Microscope (Click on ‘The virtual scope’ after this)

You can’t even see most cells, so what’s the big deal? What are they anyway? Why are they so important? What do they look like? How do they work? In addition to finding cell information in your Science Book (chapter 2) and the other books you will read, visit the following sites to find out more about Cells.

Have fun and ‘cell’ebrate your discoveries!

Cells are the Starting Point

Animal & Plant Cells:
Different parts of a cell have their specific role and function. Each part performs their role faithfully to ensure the functionality and survival of the whole animal or plant.
Visit the following sites to learn more about the parts and their functions. Pay special attention to ‘cell membrane’, ‘cell wall’, ‘cytoplasm’, ‘nucleus’ and ‘chloroplast’.

1. Parts & their Functions

2. Summary

Do you notice that the moon changes its shape?

1. Go to Phases of the Moon website, click on play button to see the changes in the shape of the
moon.
Does it really change its shape?
Click on background information to find out why the moon changes its shape.

2. Let’s go to another website to find out even more!
The Phases of the Moon
Read about Facts about the Moon and go through Animation 1.
Click on Animation 1 and then choose Activity. Then click ‘play’ (triangle) icon.
Now read about Why does the Moon change shape? (click on the link) and then take the
Moon Challenge.
See a diagram of the different moon phases around the Earth - Click here.
See an animation showing the different moon phases around the Earth - Click here.

3. Assignment: Make your own Lunar Calendar
You will be given a calendar of January. Starting from the day you receive the calendar, look
at the Moon every night in the sky and paste the most suitable picture of the moon on the
calendar. Hand in your calendar on 1 Feb (Fri).
Do not click on the Phases of the Moon Calendar for the answers. (School Value: Sense of
Integrity)

Pluto is not a planet!

Go to the following website to find out why:

Pluto demoted - no longer a Planet!
Dwarf Planets - Its difference from a Planet
What is a Planet?

Therefore, there are only 8 Planets in the Solar System, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Our Solar System

In this lesson, you will find out what make up the Solar System and understand the arrangement of planets and their movement round the Sun.

Singapore is in Asia and Asia is a continent on the planet Earth. The Earth is a very special planet. It is able to support life. It is known as the ‘blue planet’. Why do you think the Earth is known as the ‘blue planet’? Find out the answer on your own.

Let us now find out more about the other planets around us. You will be travelling on a spaceship into outer space to see the planets from another point of view. Click on the link below and launch the game. You need Macromedia Flash Player to travel.

The Astro Adventure

After you have returned to Earth, solve the crossword worksheet and try to write your own nuemonics for the arrangement of the 9 planets.

Note:
What are nuemonics?
They are phrases or sentences coined to help one remember details.
E.g. The colours of a rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
Its nuemonics will be ‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’.


Let’s further explore our Solar System.

The Solar System - Windows to the Universe
The Solar System - Our Solar System
The Solar System - The Planet 10
The Solar System - Quiz Try this only after Planet 10

Recap!More information on the Solar System: Refer to the links on the right under Science