The National Geographic Explorer

ProgrammePowered by

• It is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world.

• National Geographic Explorer is a MISSION project of the National Geographic Society. National Geographic strongly believes in the important role education plays in society and we are committed to invest in basic education. Thus, Explorer is subsidized and this is reflected in the inexpensive price.

National Geographic’s Mission is to increase global understanding and promote conservation of our planet through exploration, research, and education.

Credit: Dr. Jane Goodall, National Geographic Society

About NatGeo

About Us• World Edu-League is a full-fledged and

independent social enterprise focused on the areas of environmental and societal awareness,

• with a mission to further the agenda of the ‘Green’ movements in Singapore and other countries in the Asia Pacific region.

• At our core, we aim to educate each successive generation of students through exciting National Geographic content and experiential platforms that seek the participation of students, schools and families in the counties we operate in. 

• Exclusive marketing and distribution agent for National Geographic Magazines in Singapore & Malaysia.

The National Geographic Explorer Program (NGX)

• A unique and holistic program designed to – Inculcate and advocate positive attitudes

and ethics through real-life adventures of Explorers (non-fiction literacy)

– Provide opportunity for students to develop effective language use and acquire proficient language skills progressively;

– Empower teachers with 21st Century tools to employ interactive teaching & learning (white space), aligned with the desired MOE curriculum

Explorer & Singapore Curriculum

How does NGX align with the MOE Primary English

Syllabus?

Explorer

Contextualization

Learner Centeredne

ss

Learning Focused

Interaction

Integration

Process Orientatio

n

Spiral Progressio

n

– Explorer aligns with the English curriculum in all 6 key areas.

– Explorer has been used extensively by schools to enhance/augment the STELLAR programme.

NGX & Contextualization1. Contextualization

– 7 Levels of readers with appropriate language skills, sentence structures and vocabulary, to cater to mixed-ability students/different age-groups.• Appropriate usage of Compound words, content specific multi-

syllabic words. • Challenging language and complex sentences (prepositional

phrases, introductory and embedded clauses) for higher leveled readers to challenge inferential skills.

• Appropriate usage of punctuations (For Example, no colons and semi-colons for Pioneer, ellipses and dashes used for Pathfinder and Adventurer)

• Chunking of text, liberal use of sub-headings

– Meaningful stories with learning points reinforced and revisited through follow-up practice• Quizzes in between segments of Virtual Lessons to enhance

comprehension and for immediate knowledge retention

NGX & Learner-Centeredness

2. Learner-Centeredness

Lower Pri

• Large Text & illustrations

• Decoding skills through Phonics (VLHD/iPad Interactive App)

• Integrated language learning through shared, cooperative learning experiences in mixed ability group (follow-up writing activities using Magazine Maker II)

Middle-Upper Primary

• Progressively develop independence in listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and representing, even as opportunities for cooperative learning remain (through VLHD- self directed learning/flipped classroom)

Lower Sec

• Develop constructive/higher order thinking skills

• Strengthen reading, writing, presentation, interpretation and listening skills

• Through Inquiry-based, case-based and project based learning (classroom debates, experimentation, Magazine Maker II)

NGX & Interaction

3. Learning-Focused Interaction– Teaching differentiated to pupil’s needs, abilities and

interests (7 levels of readers)– Effective pedagogies developed to help engage

students in further discussions and contextualize information.• Example: “Karen knows about many storms. One storm is

called a tornado. A tornado is part of a big storm. A tornado is a wind that spins very fast. It goes to the ground. It can pick up things as it spins.”

• Para above contextualizes the text, elaborates and explains the meaning of a tornado. Uses descriptive language to stimulate imagination. (explanation text)

• Customized learning activities/Teachers’ Guide developed to empower teachers to engage students in further discussions.

NGX & Integration

4. Integration– Receptive and Productive Skills, Grammar and

vocabulary taught in an integrated way with the use of print and non-print resources to provide multiple perspectives and meaningful connections• Print: In- article Wordwise (glossary) immediately

explains and refreshes memory of vocabulary just learnt. • Non-Print: Narrated stories in projectable edition, iPad

digital app and VLHD enhance comprehension, listening and pronunciation skills.

• Real-world connections with authentic stories from Nat Geo researchers and scientists.

NGX & Process Orientation

5. Process Orientation– Language Development through speaking, writing and/or

multimodal products• Printable English and Science Worksheets/Digital

Assessment/ Quizzes• Magazine Maker II (Creative writing tool)• Inquiry based learning resource• Case-based learning resource• Project-based learning resource• Projectable edition• iPad Digital App • Virtual Lessons HD (VLHD)

NGX & Spiral Progression6. Spiral Progression

– Skills, grammatical items, structures and various types of texts taught, revised and revisited at increasing levels or difficulty and sophistication. • Texts used in NGX:

– Personal Recounts : Seen across all 7 editions– Narratives: Seen across all except Scout and Voyager– Factual Recounts: Seen across all 7 editions– Information Reports: Seen across all 7 editions– Explanations: Seen across all 7 editions– Expositions: Seen in Extreme Explorer

– Allows students to progress from foundation level to higher levels of language use• 7 levels of readers allows progressive learning

7 Age-Appropriate Reading Levels

Recommended Reading Levels:• Young Explorer Scout: Pre-

School• Young Explorer Voyager: P1• Explorer Pioneer: P2• Explorer Trailblazer: P3• Explorer Pathfinder: P4• Explorer Adventurer: P5• Science Explorer: P6- Lower

Sec

Non-fiction Literacy with NGX

• Age-appropriate, Lexile graded• Authentic Reading Experience• Proven Comprehension

Strategies• Chunking of Text• Liberal Use of Sub-headings• In-article WordWise (Glossary)• Build Visual Literacy

– Info Graphics– Photos and Captions

• Research proves, “non-fiction reading promotes student success”.

Interactive Learning with Virtual Lessons HD

• Incorporate Visual and Audio Elements– Sentences are highlighted for

better comprehension, and read-along build better pronunciation and fluency.

– Engage students of the 21st Century

• Home Connections for Self-Directed Learning– Allows students to control pace of

learning – Save curriculum time

*Available to all subscribing students with a marginal setup cost.

Interactive Learning with Magazine Maker II

• Amazing tool for teachers to engage students in creative writing projects.• NatGeo stock photos

available for royalty free use

• Upload own pictures• Spell check (Available in

both US and UK versions)• Publish with ease via PDF

format.• Available FOC to all

subscribers.

Empowering Teaching Tools with Digital

Assessments• VLHD Quiz

– 3-5 MCQ questions – Immediate testing of knowledge

retention after reading through article once

• Digital Assessments on NGEXPLORER.NET– Complete exam format

assessment sheet that can be digitally completed

– reduces workload for teachers as most questions are automatically graded.

* Available to all subscribing students with a marginal setup cost.

Empowering Teaching Toolswith iPad App & IWB

Flipcharts• A powerful tool for teachers to

engage students with the same content as the magazine, but formatted for the interactive tablet with animations, interactive activities and amazing videos built into the article.

• Also comes with interactive IWB exercises which can engage the whole class in interactive learning.

• Available to teachers only (FOC with school subscriptions)

NGX Teaching Resources Detailed Teacher's Guides

(Complete and ready lesson plans, available at your fingertips 2 weeks prior to the magazines)

Downloadable worksheets for Science and English along with the respective answer-keys

Large Classroom posters Available to teachers only

(FOC with school subscriptions)

Student Engagement with NGX Quizzes

• Connections with National Geographic Explorer through authentic stories

• Win attractive prizes every publication month.

• Compete with schools across the island.

• Prizes to be given out during morning assemblies.

• Available to all subscribing schools.

A Holistic Programme

– Confident People – empower students with vast amount of knowledge through real-life discoveries and research.

– Self-Directed Learners – allow students to take ownership in learning at their own pace comfortably

– Concerned Citizens – Develop environmentally aware students and global citizens. Values in action show students how they can contribute.

– Creative and Critcial thinkers- Stimulates curiosity in spurs students’ interest in creative writing and thinking skills.

Contact Us

World Edu-League Pte Ltd76 Playfair Road, #03-03LHK2 Building, Lobby2Singapore 367996T: +65 6513 8878F: +65 6491 5816singapore@teachngx.com