PSLE Oral stimulus-based conversation – Healthy eating model

The topic of food and healthy eating is one of the most common themes tested during English oral examinations. This is one of the first topics that I do with all my students, from P4 – P6. By the time the PSLE Oral arrives, students should be confident when answering questions on the importance of healthy eating, as well as, different ways that they stay healthy.

TREES Approach

We use the TREES approach to help our students answer the SBC questions at our centre. Using the TREES approach allows students to have a technique on hand when answering any type of questions.

Confident speakers use this technique to their great advantage while students who need to build up their confidence find that the technique gives them a step-by-step approach to answer SBC questions.

PSLE Oral stimulus-based conversation model on the theme of health & healthy eating

Below is an SBC on the topic of health and healthy eating.

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Question 1: Would you make these Healthy cookie dough cookies?

Thought

Yes, I think that I would.

Reason 1

The ingredient list looks a little complicated but I think that with my mother’s help, I will be able to get the ingredients that I need. The steps seem quite easy. I just need to mix them altogether and roll them into balls.

Reason 2

The advertisement for the recipe says that it will give me boundless of energy and that will be great.

Example

 I have a lot of activities after school and sometimes I can get very tired immediately after school. My mother always makes sure that I have a good balanced lunch but around 4pm, I can get hungry again. Usually, I will bring along or buy a small snack and most of them are not healthy. I will eat a packet of crisps or sweets.

Experience

At the start of the year, my mother added on more tuition lessons for me as this is my PSLE year. On top of the extra tuition, I also need to attend dance classes three times a week. I do feel quite tired in the late afternoon.

Having a healthy and delicious snack such as the cookie dough balls could be what I need to boost my energy. I have tried healthy snacks that my friends from dance bring along and most of them do taste quite delicious.

Opinion

In my opinion, snacks such as potato chips are not good for my body and I think if I can prepare my own snacks like the one above, it will be helpful. I can make them beforehand and pack them with me in a small re-useable bag.

Question 2: Are you influenced by what your friends and family eat?

Thought

Yes and no.

Reason 1 & Example

I am influenced by what my friends eat. When they bring a new snack to school, I always want to buy it and try it. When they change to a new one, I will also change to what everyone is eating. My mom says that I am a sheep because I follow what my friends are doing. She is right! However, because I want to stay healthy, if the snack contains too much sugar or fat and has too much colouring in it, I may try it once and not buy it again.

Reason 2 & Example

At home, my family eats a lot of vegetables. My mom is health-conscious so she only cooks healthy food. I am not a fan of vegetables even though I will eat small amounts of it during my meals or else I will get a scolding!

Suggestion

I suggest that children should not be too influenced by what others eat, especially if it is unhealthy. While it is fine to try new snacks or drinks, getting addicted to such snacks and drinks such as bubble tea can be detrimental for your health.

Question 3: Aside from eating well, how else do you stay healthy?

Reason 1 & Example

Aside from eating balanced meals of protein, vegetables and carbohydrates, I also exercise almost every day. I am an active person and enjoy my PE lessons. At recess, I am always playing tag or soccer with my friends. I am also in the school’s netball team and we have practice twice a week. On weekends, I sometimes run at the stadium with my father or go swimming with my mother. If I don’t exercise, I feel strange, like something is missing.

Reason 2 & Example

I also sleep early whenever I can. I am in bed at 8 pm on school nights because I read an article that said children my age need 10 hours of sleep for our brains to function well. I have many friends who sleep very late. Some are studying but most of them are playing on their computers or on their phones.

Experience

I have a classmate who is always eating fried foods during recess and after school he will go to a fast food place almost every day. He hates to exercise and only enjoys playing on his smartphone. He is obese and is sick quiet often. This year my teacher has advised him to change his unhealthy habits. She reminded him it is his PSLE year and if he is unhealthy, he will find it difficult to focus in his work. I hope that he will listen to her.

Suggestion

I suggest that schools hold talks about children’s health regularly. Some students may not be aware of the reprecussions of taking care of their health. By listening to these talks, they may be able to learn the ways that they can take care of themselves.