CHAPTER 3: Time, Rate and Speed

Sections Topic Duration

3.1 Measuring Time

35 mins
3.2 What is Rate?

3.3 Speed 70 mins

Science Matters: Lesson Notes

 2008 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte Ltd
 [Lower Secondary Science] – Measurements and Units

Section 3.1: Measuring Time

35 mins
Section 3.2: What is Rate?

Learning Outcomes
After this lesson, your students should be able to
 use the SI unit and other appropriate units for time
 use a stopwatch
 show an understanding of what rate is
 calculate rates and use appropriate units
 give examples of rates in everyday life and apply them

Points to note while teaching:

 Most students would know how to operate a stopwatch. It would be better to highlight the scales on the mechanical and digital stopwatches.

Lesson component Content Resources required

Starters/Triggers Class activity – Practical Book Activity 3.1 (page 21–22)
 Practical book
You may start the class with an activity from the practical book. Carry out the activity as instructed.
 Stopwatches
In addition to using a normal wristwatch, you could ask students to try the same experiment with a
stopwatch as well.
The aim of this activity is to allow students to make appropriate estimations of time and learn how
to read off a stopwatch accurately.

* Approximately 10 minutes given for this discussion session.

Science Matters: Lesson Notes

 2008 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Page 2 of 5
 [Lower Secondary Science] – Measurements and Units

Concept Powerpoint presentation, textbook and questions from the workbook.

Development
 Powerpoint slides
1. Students should be able to identify SI units of time – seconds (s).
2. Show students the scales of stopwatches.  Textbook, Workbook,
Practical book
3. Ensure that students know how to use a stopwatch and read the measurements of time.  Inquiry worksheets
4. Students must be able to explain what rate is and calculate rate. – Bill and Cargo
– Talking about Rate
5. Students should be able to identify everyday examples of rate.

Other initiatives National Education/Related Websites

 Internet
 Remind students that accurate measurement of time is necessary in everyday life. Draw their
attention to the Formula One race in Singapore in 2008.
http://www.f1singapore.com/news/
Singapore_Night_Race_Confirmed_on_2008_Formula_One_Schedule.shtml#news

Review Questions  Allow students to attempt the questions on their own.  Textbook
 Explain the challenging questions in this section.

Science Matters: Lesson Notes

 2008 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Page 3 of 5
 [Lower Secondary Science] – Measurements and Units

Section 3.3: Speed 70 mins

Learning Outcomes
After this lesson, your students should be able to
 explain what is meant by average speed
 calculate average speed using the formula – average speed = total distance travelled/total time taken

Points to note while teaching:

 Remind students that average speed does not mean constant speed throughout the journey.
 Highlight to students that they must make sure that the units are the same before they can calculate average speed. You may wish to give some
examples to allow students to practice conversion in class.

Lesson component Content Resources required

Starters/Triggers Question – CSI page 46
 Textbook
You may start your lesson by asking your students to look at the picture on page 46 and answer
 Powerpoint presentation
the questions. You may also wish to flash the image on a Powerpoint presentation. Allow your
students to explore the possible scenarios and discuss answers.
The aim of this activity is to allow students to see how simple concepts such as speed can be
useful in studying the things around them.
* Approximately 10 minutes given for this discussion session.

Science Matters: Lesson Notes

 2008 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Page 4 of 5
 [Lower Secondary Science] – Measurements and Units

Concept Powerpoint presentation, textbook and questions from the workbook.

Development
 Powerpoint slides
1. Students must know that the SI unit for speed is square metre (m/s).
 Internet
2. The calculation and definition of average speed must be familiar to students.
 Textbook, Workbook,
3. Students should be able to identify the uses of speed in their daily lives. Practical book
 Inquiry worksheets
– Exercises
– Tsunami Warning

Other initiatives National Education/Related Websites

 Internet
Allow students to try measuring speed of their bicycles or roller blades with this activity. (Terms
such as ‘miles’ and ‘feet’ may be unfamiliar to students.)
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/measuringboatspeed.html

Review Questions  Allow students to attempt the questions on their own.  Textbook
 Explain the challenging questions in this section.

Science Matters: Lesson Notes

 2008 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Page 5 of 5