Reflections-term+2

This is the reflections page for term 2. This will also be where I will include all the components that I have mentioned earlier on in the 'Home' page. Enjoy reading!

__Term 2 reflections__:
__**Teaching and learning issues**__ In term 2, we got a new teacher due to Mrs. Chan's maternal leave. We learned a new topic on measuring using Vernier Calipers and Micrometer Screw Gauge. This topic, as said by Mr. Lim, is supposedly to be learned in secondary 3. However, we are learning this topic in secondary 1, so I felt that it will quite a difficult one. After the briefing on how it is to be used and some hands-on experiences, I realised that this topic is actually not as difficult as what I had expected and I felt relieved. As we got hold of the Vernier Calipers and the Micrometer Screw Gauge, we started to turn our learning track towards the topic on Kinetic model of matter. This, is the topic that I felt that it was more on understanding and observing. We were taught on the 3 states of matter and their properties. For example, the particles of solid are closely packed together, usually in a regular pattern, occupying minimum space. For liquid, the particles are randomly arranged with the particles slightly further apart as compared to that of solids. For gas, the particles are far apart. They are also randomly arranged but they will occupy any available space. I think that basically, the kinetic model of matter is more complicated as compared to the one on measurements. To make matters worse, I actually fell sick on the epic day when the teacher was teaching on some important stuff and I missed what he taught! He was teaching on Physical Quantities and SI units. The confusing part was on the conversion of units e.g converting 'What is the kg/m^3 of 23g/cm^3 if you were to convert it?'. This part is the confusing and complicating part which I also missed. I felt that it was quite wasted to have actually missed this lesson and instead recuperating at home learning nothing out of it. I think that whenever this type of scenario happens on you, the best method is to ask others.

**__Termly performance reflections__**
In term 2, I got 66 marks, which is a B3. For what I have achieved for this term, I can replace the root of the whole problem with 1 wordcomplacency. In term 1, I achieved a proud result of A1 and I think that I became thinking that science is very easy and very basic. However, my 'outstanding' result this term proved my nonsensical thinking wrong. Science was actually a topic requiring memorizing, basic understanding and knowledge, and the ability to think things in a different and complex angle. This is what most people fail to do so that resulted in the same fate as me. I think that there are more reasons that contributed to my failure this term. My form teacher had changed my seat to the side where I could not really see anything on the board and also, I was sitting beside my partner who was always talking non-stop(not to mention and disclose the person's identity). I know that this is a game of blame so I shall not focus on this particular point. The third reason may be the fact that I am not really motivated to learn science and this subject is one of my weakest. I guess that in the process of learning science, I may be misinterpreting facts here and there and this resulted in my failure to understand some facts and instead getting them wrong. Of course, I hope to achieve an A1 next term and this time, I will promise to work even harder than last term to make improvements and not disappoint anyone who are hoping and believing that I will achieve better results but in the end, I left them feeling dismay.

__**Hands-on experiences**__
In term 2, we touched on the usage of vernier calipers and micrometer screw gauge first of all. Basically, the vernier caliper is able to measure diameters of objects regardless of internal or external diameters. Whereas, for the micrometer screw gauge, it is used to measure only external diameters. We were asked to measure marbles and wires. Overall, it was quite an enriching experience as it is our first time using these apparatus. Next, we are learning about elements, compounds and mixtures. Our first experiment regarding this topic is to investigate the properties of a mixture and a compound. Firstly, we placed the sulfur powder on a piece of filter paper. Then, we wrapped one end of the magnet with a small piece of paper and moved the magnet close to the sulfur powder but nothing happened. However, when we replaced the sulfur powder with iron filings, the iron filings were attracted to the magnet. Next, we poured the sulfur powder into the evaporating dish of iron filings and mixed it with glass rod. Now, we heated it over a Bunsen-Burner and it does not attract anymore. This experiment sounds easy but of course, we had to abide by the safety precautions. So, we did many experiments and they are very interesting.


 * __Vernier Calipers__**