GP Crash Course for JC2 students

September 2009 General Paper Crash Course

The September Crash Course is specially tailored for JC2 students who will be taking the General Paper exam later on this year, on the 11th of November. The Course aims to prepare students adequately for the rigorous GP exam, by equipping students with relevant content information and requisite skills necessary to tackle both Paper I and II successfully.

Under the content segment, the course targets to analyse deeply into two important topics: Science & Technology; and Globalization. Content information and reading material given are compiled from a wide variety of sources which include

1. Selected model essays taken from Hwa Chong Institution's and Raffles Junior College's GP Bulls;
2. Samples of past year A level essays/AQ written by Hwa Chong students,;
3. Specially chosen articles from sources such as HCI's From Fact to Fiction and Time Tunnel series, TIME Magazines and The Economist, to boot.

Since these General Paper resources are strictly compiled for my students, it would not be sold or distributed outside. Below is a brief lesson plan for the crash course held in September:

	Lesson 1	Lesson 2
Content	Focus on Science & Technology with aims to complete content analysis on 1. Biomedical Research, Genetic Engineering, Cloning, Eugenics, Genetically Modified Crops, stem-cell research 2. Nuclear Power and its implications	Focus on Science & Technology with aims to complete content analysis on 1. Morals, Ethics, Religion and Science. 2. Environment, Alternative Energy sources and Science
Skills	Focus on Paper I, we will learn 1. How to write effective introductions (Techniques to constructing thesis statements and types of introduction methods.) 2. How to craft sophisticated and well-substantiated body paragraphs. 3. How to planning of essays. In class, we will practise planning essays, delineating the essay outlines and learning to analyse the essay questions. (2 essays on the above content themes will be discussed in detail) Assignment: One essay on Medical Science.	Focus on Paper II, we will learn 1. The art of writing an Band A, application questions 2. The techniques used to analyse Application questions 3. How to manage the comprehension paper Focus on Grammar skills, 1. Subject-Verb Agreement revision 2. Punctuation usage revision 3. Verb/Noun phrases revision 4. Tenses revision In class, we will practise planning of essays. (2 essays on the above content themes will be discussed in detail.) Go through previous week’s assignment Assignment: Practise Paper II and one essay on moral ethics and science

	Lesson 3	Lesson 4
Content	Focus on Globalization with aims to complete content analysis on 1. Introduction to Globalization 2. Positive implications of Globalization (Politically, Economically, Culturally)	Focus on Science & Technology with aims to complete content analysis on 1. Negative implications of Globalization (Politically, Economically, Culturally and Socially) 2. Applications of Globalization 3. Conclusion to Globalization
Skills	Focus on Paper I, we will learn 1. How to structure your essays so that it is considered well-organised by examiners 2. How to write a balanced essay, without contradicting yourself 3. How to write a sound conclusion In class, we will practise planning of essays. (2 essays on the above content themes will be discussed in detail.) Go through previous week’s assignment Assignment: Practise Paper II and one essay on globalization	Focus on Paper I, we will learn 1. How to adequately revise for Paper 1 2. How to manage your time effectively, especially when faced with exam duress. Focus on Paper II, we will learn 1. Strategies to tackle summary questions. In class, we will practise planning of essays. (2 essays on the above content themes will be discussed in detail.) Go through previous week’s assignment Assignment: All the best for your A levels. (Private consultation available upon request.)