This document outlines a proposed social studies syllabus focusing on cultural diversity in Singapore. It includes quizzes, definitions of cultural diversity, perspectives from student teachers on the topic, and rationales for why cultural diversity should be taught. It then critiques chapters in sample P2 and P4 syllabi in terms of how well they teach about cultural diversity. Recommendations are provided such as incorporating more interactions between different communities and discussing diversity students can observe locally. The goal is for students to appreciate Singapore's diverse cultures while strengthening a shared national identity.
FACL hosted seven summer reading camps in small villages in Burkina Faso for 180 students. The camps aimed to improve literacy skills through reading activities, discussions, games and crafts led by coordinators and volunteers. Students demonstrated reading improvements and increased confidence. Cultural exchanges between Burkinabe staff and American volunteers benefited both groups. Feedback will help strengthen future camps.
This document provides guidelines for implementing intercultural education in post-primary schools. It aims to enable students to respect and celebrate diversity, promote equality, and challenge unfair discrimination. The guidelines discuss the context of intercultural education, how to incorporate it into school and classroom planning across various subjects, appropriate approaches and methodologies, and assessing cultural diversity. Intercultural education seeks to foster pluralism, raise awareness of students' own cultures while exposing them to others, and promote dialogue to develop intercultural skills.
Integrating through language learning & teacher relationshipsUNESCO-RILA
油
This document discusses a study on the experiences of South Sudanese refugee secondary students in Adelaide, Australia. It examines their experiences before fleeing South Sudan, adjusting to life and schooling in Australia, and the process of integrating into their new community. Key findings include the importance of the Dinka language and culture for students' identity and literacy development, as well as the need for personalized teacher relationships to support their learning. The study highlights the dual layers of students' identities incorporating both their home culture and new intellectual identities formed in school.
The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. -Sydney J. Ha...AGSNoida
油
The document provides information about a school's commitment to high-quality international education through the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. It introduces the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and mentions the school becoming a candidate for the IB Diploma Programme. It highlights how the IB programme develops student curiosity and prepares them to be lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.
Multicultural School and 21st Century Key Competences for Global CitizensTiina Sarisalmi
油
This document discusses the importance of multicultural education and developing global competencies in students. It defines multiculturalism and describes the five dimensions of multiculturalism in education. These include content integration, knowledge construction, equity pedagogy, prejudice reduction, and empowering school culture. The document also discusses 21st century key competencies for global citizenship, including cultural knowledge, health/daily life skills, multilingualism, technology skills, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship. It emphasizes developing intercultural competence and respect among students through multicultural and cross-curricular approaches.
This game will help you to understand the challenges that governments face when dealing with trade-offs. Governments need to deal with the differing demands of society as well as prepare themselves for unforeseen events, whilst maintaining the economic and social well-being of the nation.
Chapter 3 working for the good of societyShuqi Hong
油
The document discusses the roles of the government and citizens in working for the good of society. It examines how the government contributes through maintaining order, ensuring justice, providing public services, and safeguarding citizen interests. Citizens can help by addressing community needs, influencing policies, and strengthening belonging. Both play important but different parts in shaping outcomes that benefit society.
We've looked at the difficulties that governments face in pleasing everyone. What does the government in Singapore do to meet some of the needs and challenges faced by society here?
The document discusses developing an understanding of students' cultural backgrounds and perspectives. It provides questions for teachers to reflect on their own cultural awareness and knowledge of students' cultures and identities. Suggestions are also given for classroom activities that can help teachers learn about students' lives and cultures, such as sharing traditional food, counting in other languages, discussing daily routines, and showing culturally significant items.
This document discusses cultural diversity and its importance in adult education. It defines cultural diversity as comprising various ethnic and religious groups. A culturally diverse environment promotes respect and understanding between different groups. Educators should foster cultural sensitivity by making the curriculum inclusive, avoiding bias, and respecting all learners. Cultural awareness helps educators understand students better and creates a supportive learning environment. It also improves communication and encourages open-mindedness.
Concept of Sociocultural Diversity in Malaysia & Ways Teachers can Increase I...Teh Eng Foo
油
Concept of Sociocultural Diversity in Malaysia & Ways Teachers can Increase Intercultural Awareness In A Classroom and In The School.pdf
By Ummi Syafiah & Teh Eng Foo
TESL June 2020 Intake IPGKTB
SESSION 2 PPT Values Ed 10 Catch-Up Fridays.pptxZhelRioflorido
油
This document outlines a session on building community awareness in intercultural relations. The session objectives are to develop an understanding of the importance of intercultural relations, gain cultural competence, and learn strategies to promote inclusivity and harmony. Activities include having participants share aspects of their own cultures, taking part in stations exploring Philippine culture, and discussing cultural differences and diversity. The session aims to foster understanding of diverse cultures and encourage collaboration within communities.
This document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of learning in a multicultural school environment. The key advantages are that students are exposed to different cultures through international celebrations, it fosters acceptance and tolerance by encouraging interaction between diverse groups, and it teaches multiple perspectives by incorporating different cultural experiences into lessons. However, disadvantages include potential language barriers, cultural differences in behaviors and communication styles, difficulties communicating with diverse families, and ensuring teachers are prepared to address cultural conflicts. Overall, the document concludes that the benefits of learning in a multicultural environment outweigh the challenges.
This document outlines a lesson plan on cultural diversity in the Philippines. The objectives are for students to learn about different cultures in the Philippines, understand how culture exists in society, and recognize the importance of culture in interactions. The lesson includes an introduction to key Philippine cultural concepts like hospitality, social interactions, warmth and acceptance. Students will participate in group activities where they explore and share insights about different Philippine cultures and reflect on the value of cultural diversity.
This document discusses the importance of integrating diverse cultures into education. It argues that exposing students to various cultures helps develop understanding of different backgrounds. When students see their own cultures represented, they feel valued and engaged. The document provides some strategies for building a culturally sensitive learning environment, such as using culturally responsive teaching, diverse literature, traditions, and English language learner techniques. Overall, it advocates integrating multicultural elements throughout the curriculum to accommodate an increasingly diverse student population.
This document outlines the objectives and content of a workshop on intercultural competence. The workshop aims to help participants gain cultural self-awareness, understand why intercultural dialogue is important, apply Hofstede's cultural dimensions to examples, develop skills for lifelong cultural learning, and prepare to handle uncomfortable intercultural situations. It includes discussions of culture, cultural identity, nonverbal communication differences, team building activities, and approaches for embracing ambiguity and supporting others through discomfort.
This document discusses culturally responsive teaching and provides examples of how to incorporate culturally responsive practices into an urban planning unit for 6th grade students. It proposes using cross-curricular lessons across subjects like math, science, literacy, and more to teach about urban planning. Examples of lessons include estimating land use, sustainable water sources, cultural demographics, and more. The document also provides guidance on ensuring instruction is culturally responsive through practices like content menus, oral history interviews, and considering multiple cultural perspectives.
This document discusses culturally responsive teaching and presents an example of a 6-week cross-curricular unit on urban planning that incorporates these principles. The unit involves lessons in multiple subjects like math, science, social studies, literacy, photography, and music. It aims to educate students about diverse cultural perspectives and validate different cultural experiences. Oral history interviews and analyzing communication styles help promote cross-cultural understanding. Ensuring all students feel included through approaches like differentiated instruction and heterogeneous grouping is also discussed.
The document discusses the Literacy Prism framework developed by E. Priscilla George based on Aboriginal perspectives. The framework views literacy through the lenses of spirit, heart, mind, and body. Each color of the rainbow symbolizes an aspect of literacy education, such as language, skills, creativity, technology, and spiritual interpretation. The framework aims to take a holistic approach to literacy instruction that recognizes all aspects of the learner. It has been implemented in literacy and Native studies courses to better support Aboriginal students.
This document discusses self-identification and culture. It begins by examining Saint Leo University's core value of personal development and how having a sense of self and cultural understanding enhances character. It then explores how culture is deeply ingrained in individuals, shaped by various traits. The document also discusses how the author's small, homogeneous community impacted their interest in other cultures. Later sections provide suggestions for incorporating multicultural education into classrooms, from having students learn about their own culture first before exploring others, to celebrating diversity and different perspectives. The document advocates creating an environment of cultural tolerance and understanding to pave the way for a more accepting society.
This unit plan focuses on communities around the world. Students will investigate life in communities in India, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Peru. They will learn how geographic, social, cultural, and linguistic factors affect quality of life in different communities. Students will complete projects to demonstrate their understanding, such as creating an item from one of the communities and writing a story from the perspective of someone who lives there. The goal is for students to gain appreciation for global citizenship and diversity around the world.
Students will examine how places in Australia have special meaning for the people who interact with them. They will combine the information from research of other places and also the places that are special to them, to create a multimodal text that celebrates how they interact with people, nature, and special places over the changing seasons of the year.
This document discusses integrating culture into language instruction. It defines culture as the integrated patterns of behavior including perspectives, practices, and products. Examples are given of how to teach about target culture products, practices, and perspectives through activities connecting them to vocabulary and language use. The role of food in the francophone world is used as a case study, discussing key ingredients in crepes as a cultural product from France.
Intercultural language learning activitiesJoanne Chen
油
This document outlines intercultural language learning activities that can be used in a Chinese language classroom. It discusses the need for an intercultural perspective in language teaching given the rise of international students. An intercultural framework is presented involving artifacts, facts, and the educational effect on behaviors, beliefs, and perceptions. Several example activities are provided, such as watching a video on Chinese factories and discussing cultural differences, practicing greetings like exchanging business cards in different cultures, acting out stories from other cultures, creating bilingual haiku poems, quizzes and games, and small group discussions comparing festivals. The goal is to raise cultural awareness by providing cultural information, actions, and explanations to develop cultural understanding through feelings, reasoning,
The document discusses multicultural education in early childhood settings. It defines multicultural education as a process that includes and serves individuals from many cultures through staff, meals, caregiving practices, and curriculum content that reflects diversity. The goals of multicultural education are to minimize racism and discrimination, foster cultural identity and home languages, and teach children critical thinking skills to challenge injustice. An effective multicultural early childhood program incorporates the home cultures and languages of the children, implements activities to learn about different cultures, and helps children appreciate diversity while recognizing and resisting stereotypes.
This document discusses the roles and skills of multiculturally competent teachers. It begins by outlining the objectives of defining multicultural teachers, understanding their roles, and performing an activity on their skills. It then discusses how teaching has become more demanding with diverse learners and the need for teachers to understand multiple perspectives. It also notes how the diversity in countries like the US and Philippines has increased the need for multicultural approaches. The document then lists important skills for multicultural teachers like communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Finally, it includes insights from presenters on challenges like addressing all learners' needs, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
Chung Kai was a prisoner of war held at a camp. The document discusses his experience as a POW at the Changi camp, where he was detained. It provides a first-hand account of what life was like for prisoners of war at the Changi camp.
This document tells the story of Ishtar and Tammuz from ancient Babylonian mythology. It describes how Ishtar sent her son Tammuz to live on Earth, where his presence caused growth and prosperity. However, Ishtar grew jealous and had Tammuz killed. This caused all life on Earth to wither. Ishtar then traveled to the underworld to plead with her sister Allatu, the goddess there, to return Tammuz. Allatu agreed but said Tammuz must return to the underworld for six months each year, explaining the seasons.
The document discusses developing an understanding of students' cultural backgrounds and perspectives. It provides questions for teachers to reflect on their own cultural awareness and knowledge of students' cultures and identities. Suggestions are also given for classroom activities that can help teachers learn about students' lives and cultures, such as sharing traditional food, counting in other languages, discussing daily routines, and showing culturally significant items.
This document discusses cultural diversity and its importance in adult education. It defines cultural diversity as comprising various ethnic and religious groups. A culturally diverse environment promotes respect and understanding between different groups. Educators should foster cultural sensitivity by making the curriculum inclusive, avoiding bias, and respecting all learners. Cultural awareness helps educators understand students better and creates a supportive learning environment. It also improves communication and encourages open-mindedness.
Concept of Sociocultural Diversity in Malaysia & Ways Teachers can Increase I...Teh Eng Foo
油
Concept of Sociocultural Diversity in Malaysia & Ways Teachers can Increase Intercultural Awareness In A Classroom and In The School.pdf
By Ummi Syafiah & Teh Eng Foo
TESL June 2020 Intake IPGKTB
SESSION 2 PPT Values Ed 10 Catch-Up Fridays.pptxZhelRioflorido
油
This document outlines a session on building community awareness in intercultural relations. The session objectives are to develop an understanding of the importance of intercultural relations, gain cultural competence, and learn strategies to promote inclusivity and harmony. Activities include having participants share aspects of their own cultures, taking part in stations exploring Philippine culture, and discussing cultural differences and diversity. The session aims to foster understanding of diverse cultures and encourage collaboration within communities.
This document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of learning in a multicultural school environment. The key advantages are that students are exposed to different cultures through international celebrations, it fosters acceptance and tolerance by encouraging interaction between diverse groups, and it teaches multiple perspectives by incorporating different cultural experiences into lessons. However, disadvantages include potential language barriers, cultural differences in behaviors and communication styles, difficulties communicating with diverse families, and ensuring teachers are prepared to address cultural conflicts. Overall, the document concludes that the benefits of learning in a multicultural environment outweigh the challenges.
This document outlines a lesson plan on cultural diversity in the Philippines. The objectives are for students to learn about different cultures in the Philippines, understand how culture exists in society, and recognize the importance of culture in interactions. The lesson includes an introduction to key Philippine cultural concepts like hospitality, social interactions, warmth and acceptance. Students will participate in group activities where they explore and share insights about different Philippine cultures and reflect on the value of cultural diversity.
This document discusses the importance of integrating diverse cultures into education. It argues that exposing students to various cultures helps develop understanding of different backgrounds. When students see their own cultures represented, they feel valued and engaged. The document provides some strategies for building a culturally sensitive learning environment, such as using culturally responsive teaching, diverse literature, traditions, and English language learner techniques. Overall, it advocates integrating multicultural elements throughout the curriculum to accommodate an increasingly diverse student population.
This document outlines the objectives and content of a workshop on intercultural competence. The workshop aims to help participants gain cultural self-awareness, understand why intercultural dialogue is important, apply Hofstede's cultural dimensions to examples, develop skills for lifelong cultural learning, and prepare to handle uncomfortable intercultural situations. It includes discussions of culture, cultural identity, nonverbal communication differences, team building activities, and approaches for embracing ambiguity and supporting others through discomfort.
This document discusses culturally responsive teaching and provides examples of how to incorporate culturally responsive practices into an urban planning unit for 6th grade students. It proposes using cross-curricular lessons across subjects like math, science, literacy, and more to teach about urban planning. Examples of lessons include estimating land use, sustainable water sources, cultural demographics, and more. The document also provides guidance on ensuring instruction is culturally responsive through practices like content menus, oral history interviews, and considering multiple cultural perspectives.
This document discusses culturally responsive teaching and presents an example of a 6-week cross-curricular unit on urban planning that incorporates these principles. The unit involves lessons in multiple subjects like math, science, social studies, literacy, photography, and music. It aims to educate students about diverse cultural perspectives and validate different cultural experiences. Oral history interviews and analyzing communication styles help promote cross-cultural understanding. Ensuring all students feel included through approaches like differentiated instruction and heterogeneous grouping is also discussed.
The document discusses the Literacy Prism framework developed by E. Priscilla George based on Aboriginal perspectives. The framework views literacy through the lenses of spirit, heart, mind, and body. Each color of the rainbow symbolizes an aspect of literacy education, such as language, skills, creativity, technology, and spiritual interpretation. The framework aims to take a holistic approach to literacy instruction that recognizes all aspects of the learner. It has been implemented in literacy and Native studies courses to better support Aboriginal students.
This document discusses self-identification and culture. It begins by examining Saint Leo University's core value of personal development and how having a sense of self and cultural understanding enhances character. It then explores how culture is deeply ingrained in individuals, shaped by various traits. The document also discusses how the author's small, homogeneous community impacted their interest in other cultures. Later sections provide suggestions for incorporating multicultural education into classrooms, from having students learn about their own culture first before exploring others, to celebrating diversity and different perspectives. The document advocates creating an environment of cultural tolerance and understanding to pave the way for a more accepting society.
This unit plan focuses on communities around the world. Students will investigate life in communities in India, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Peru. They will learn how geographic, social, cultural, and linguistic factors affect quality of life in different communities. Students will complete projects to demonstrate their understanding, such as creating an item from one of the communities and writing a story from the perspective of someone who lives there. The goal is for students to gain appreciation for global citizenship and diversity around the world.
Students will examine how places in Australia have special meaning for the people who interact with them. They will combine the information from research of other places and also the places that are special to them, to create a multimodal text that celebrates how they interact with people, nature, and special places over the changing seasons of the year.
This document discusses integrating culture into language instruction. It defines culture as the integrated patterns of behavior including perspectives, practices, and products. Examples are given of how to teach about target culture products, practices, and perspectives through activities connecting them to vocabulary and language use. The role of food in the francophone world is used as a case study, discussing key ingredients in crepes as a cultural product from France.
Intercultural language learning activitiesJoanne Chen
油
This document outlines intercultural language learning activities that can be used in a Chinese language classroom. It discusses the need for an intercultural perspective in language teaching given the rise of international students. An intercultural framework is presented involving artifacts, facts, and the educational effect on behaviors, beliefs, and perceptions. Several example activities are provided, such as watching a video on Chinese factories and discussing cultural differences, practicing greetings like exchanging business cards in different cultures, acting out stories from other cultures, creating bilingual haiku poems, quizzes and games, and small group discussions comparing festivals. The goal is to raise cultural awareness by providing cultural information, actions, and explanations to develop cultural understanding through feelings, reasoning,
The document discusses multicultural education in early childhood settings. It defines multicultural education as a process that includes and serves individuals from many cultures through staff, meals, caregiving practices, and curriculum content that reflects diversity. The goals of multicultural education are to minimize racism and discrimination, foster cultural identity and home languages, and teach children critical thinking skills to challenge injustice. An effective multicultural early childhood program incorporates the home cultures and languages of the children, implements activities to learn about different cultures, and helps children appreciate diversity while recognizing and resisting stereotypes.
This document discusses the roles and skills of multiculturally competent teachers. It begins by outlining the objectives of defining multicultural teachers, understanding their roles, and performing an activity on their skills. It then discusses how teaching has become more demanding with diverse learners and the need for teachers to understand multiple perspectives. It also notes how the diversity in countries like the US and Philippines has increased the need for multicultural approaches. The document then lists important skills for multicultural teachers like communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Finally, it includes insights from presenters on challenges like addressing all learners' needs, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
Chung Kai was a prisoner of war held at a camp. The document discusses his experience as a POW at the Changi camp, where he was detained. It provides a first-hand account of what life was like for prisoners of war at the Changi camp.
This document tells the story of Ishtar and Tammuz from ancient Babylonian mythology. It describes how Ishtar sent her son Tammuz to live on Earth, where his presence caused growth and prosperity. However, Ishtar grew jealous and had Tammuz killed. This caused all life on Earth to wither. Ishtar then traveled to the underworld to plead with her sister Allatu, the goddess there, to return Tammuz. Allatu agreed but said Tammuz must return to the underworld for six months each year, explaining the seasons.
The document discusses John, a student with ADHD and anger management issues. His current provisions in class include counseling from the teacher but no other differentiated treatment. Recommendations are made for increased collaboration between home and school, including providing John's parents with strategies to help change his behavior. Suggestions within the school include working with other teachers and professionals. External support organizations are also recommended.
The document outlines the mission and vision of the education service. The mission is to provide children with a well-rounded education to develop their full potential and nurture them into good citizens. The vision is to lead, care, and inspire. The document then discusses societal expectations of teachers and how teachers are expected to maintain professional boundaries and conduct themselves appropriately both in and out of school. It notes some of the challenges teachers face in maintaining work-life balance, sustaining their passion for teaching, and adapting to school culture.
This document discusses teaching students about the concept of average. It provides examples to demonstrate how to calculate average using formulas and step-by-step work. The examples show students averaging numbers of counters distributed among groups and averaging weights of students. The document emphasizes that an average can be a decimal number, and distinguishes average from concepts like sharing. It aims to help students understand what average represents and how to properly apply the average formula.
The document discusses teaching students about volume. It explains that volume is the amount of space an object occupies and is measured in cubic units like cm3 or m3. It defines that the volume of a cuboid is calculated as length x breadth x height. Students are taught to calculate volumes of cubes and cuboids using this formula. They also learn that 1 liter is equal to 1000 cm3, so 1 ml equals 1 cm3. Hands-on practice with unit cubes helps develop spatial skills and understanding of these concepts.
Singapore is a multi-racial society that manages ethnic diversity through various policies and institutions. These include establishing a national identity through practices promoting racial harmony, safeguarding minority interests via representation policies and self-help groups, and developing common spaces such as the education system and public housing that bring different races together. Key periods saw the introduction of policies like bilingualism, minority representation in parliament, and developing self-help groups and common institutions. The goal is for all races to co-exist and have a shared stake in Singapore's future.
This document outlines a multi-faceted theory of classroom management based on 4 key concepts: identifying mistaken goals of misbehavior, being democratic rather than autocratic teachers, using logical consequences rather than punishment, and understanding the difference between praise and encouragement. The theory promotes respect and communication between teachers and students, encourages students to take responsibility for their actions, and complements good teaching practices. However, it may be difficult to identify reasons for misbehavior and provide proper logical consequences in all cases.
The document discusses the Graduand Teacher Competencies Framework (GTCF) which outlines the key competencies teachers should develop. It includes 3 performance dimensions: 1) professional practice focusing on developing students' confidence, learning, contribution and citizenship, 2) leadership and management focusing on partnering with parents and teamwork, and 3) personal effectiveness focusing on self-awareness, integrity, respect for others, resilience and adaptability. Videos and quotes provide additional information on topics within each dimension.
1. Cultural Diversity in our Social
Studies Syllabus
Vani | Bernard | Zinc | Winnie | Priya
2. Quiz
1. What is the significance of Vesak Day?
2. What is the difference between Hari Raya Haji and Hari
Raya Puasa?
3. Why is Christmas celebrated?
4. Why cant the Muslims eat pork?
5. Why cant the Hindus eat beef?
6. Why do Hindus wash their feet before they enter the
temple?
7. Why do Christians celebrate Thanksgiving?
8. Why do Muslims wear tudong?
9. Why do Chinese celebrate Mooncake festival?
10. Why do Sikhs wear turban?
3. What is cultural diversity?
Definition:
-To have a diverse range of culture in a common
shared space, to take pride in ones own culture, yet
respect, accept, maybe even celebrate others
cultural uniqueness.
4. What do some student teachers say?
Chinese respondent:
Cultural diversity is about different culturally
Differences in ethnicity, language, religion, customs and beliefs
Messages of the importance of racial harmony and being
tolerant of other ethnic groups was taught to her when she was
a student
Indian respondent:
Cultural diversity is something whereby you get to experience and learn each others culture, tradition and practices and why
they do things in certain ways and why festivals are celebrated
When she was a student: Racial harmony, IFD, different festivals to teach them
In contract teaching: NE camp for P4 students, 2D1N camp, Incorporate cultural
diversity aspects in camp (meals-breakfast, lunch n dinner from different groups) and
practices (sitting on the floor, sharing plates etc)
Malay respondent:
Cultural diversity was explicitly taught and modelled as a student, through school celebrations during festivals, through
curriculum (maths problems has representation from diff ethnic grps)
In contract teaching: Students in other ethnic grps join CCAs that are not of their
own ethnicity
5. What do you think?
Video:
http://www.google.com.sg/webhp?source=search_app
6. Why do we need to think about cultural
diversity?
National Day Rally Speech 2012, PM Lee Hsien Loong
10. Development of P2 syllabus
P2 Syllabus
Chapter Chapter 1: New Girl in Town
Key Concept Cultural Appreciation
Guiding Question Who are the people living in Singapore? How do we
practise our customs and traditions?
Chapter Chapter 3: Things so Singaporean
Key Concept National Identity and Shared Experiences
Guiding Question What makes us people of Singapore?
Chapter Chapter 6: Show some respect
Key Concept National Identity, Shared Experiences and Harmony
Guiding Question What makes us people of Singapore?
Total no of chapters 3 out of 6 chapters
12. Approach
The three stories to cover
New Girl in Town
Things so Singaporean
Show Some Respect
14. Our Diversity Makes us Unique
New Girl in Town
Learn about different celebrations in
Singapore through Noi, a transfer student
and appreciate other races cultures and
traditions.
Cultural Appreciation
15. Block of Study: Our Diversity Makes Singapore Unique
Concept: Cultural Appreciation
Guiding Questions:
(1) Who are the people living in Singapore?
How do we practice our customs and traditions?
Generalisation:
Pupils will be able to know that we have diverse
communities in Singapore and to appreciate the many
customs and traditions of the communities in
Singapore.
16. Content of Story
Positives
Encourages locals to be open and receptive towards
foreigners, and vice versa.
Ending teaches students to look at one another as
individuals. (Good ending ++)
17. Content of Story
Cons
Only Noi was demonstrated acceptance.
Examples shown are poor representations of races
Lack of meaningful participation
18. Activity Book
Positive
4 major races
Educates students on basic information of major
races.
19. Activity Book
Cons
Traditional Costumes
Christmas
Merely feeds students knowledge without
promoting cultural understanding and
acceptance.
20. Visuals
Look at the faces of the children.
What do you think they are trying to indicate?
Appreciation
Participation Acceptance
Amount of Interaction?
21. VISUALS
Look at the various communities depicted.
How do you think they are being potrayed?
Traditions and Customs Traditions and Customs
of a community of a Community
Traditions and Customs
of a Community
Variety of Positive
communities Amount of Interaction? Representation
portrayed
22. Activity
(Public Holidays in Singapore)
Look at the various PH and festivals.
Can you organise them into the various
communities that celebrate them?
Holidays
New Years Day Hari Raya Pussa
Chinese New Year National Day
Good Friday Teachers Day
Labour Day Childrens Day
Vesak Day Hari Raya Haji
Youth Day (School Holiday) Deepavali
Christmas Day
23. Rationale of Activity
Gain awareness that
Different festivals are celebrated by various communities
Communities can also involve different race and religions
Unique communities makes Singapore Unique
Each community can enjoy or share traditions and customs
24. Recommendations
Discuss various festivals celebrated by different
communities
Show pictures of how different communities
enjoy and interact with one another
25. Recommendations
Sharing of our own experiences
Up to 2 chapters could be used instead
Students can learn more about the finer aspects of
each others' culture:
Their lifestyles, recreations they like, preferences for food
27. Our Common Identity, Shared
Things So Singaporean
Think about what makes Singapore Singapore,
and in turn, makes us Singaporean.
Induces pride and belonging through facial
looks, the cultures they originate from, their
festivals and foods.
Celebrates uniqueness whilst reminding us
our togetherness.
28. Block of Study: Our Common Identity, Shared
Experience and Values Unite the People in Our Country
Concept: National Identity, Shared Experiences
Guiding Questions:
(1) What makes us people of Singapore?
Generalisation:
Pupils will be able to understand that shared
experiences bind us together as a nation.
29. Content of Story
Positives
Promotes racial pride
Reminds students to enjoy our diversity is a
strength, not a weakness.
30. Content of Story
Cons
Multi-culturalism is a characteristic trait of
Singapore, but it does not correctly define
Singapore.
31. Activity Book
Positive
Serves as a possible branch to inculcate the value
of Gratitude
32. Activity Book
Cons
Is that all students can love about
Singapore?
33. Visuals
Look at the faces of the children.
Are all the 4 races (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others)
depicted accurately?
34. Visuals
Look at the pictures of the each community.
Do they show interaction?
Do the different communities interact in reality?
35. Activity
(Who are my friends?)
Can you name some of your
friends?
Why are the two (few) of you
friends?
How do you interact with each
other?
36. Rationale of Activity
Points out that Singapore is a place where
we can find many communities living
together
This makes Singapore Unique
37. Recommendations
Make use of the diversity that pupils can
observe around them
Example:
Observe our canteen, what kinds of food are
there? Why are there so many different kinds of
food?
Pupils need to know that all races have their
rights to live in Singapore. They share many
things with other races.
39. Our Common Identity, Shared
Show Some Respect
Looks into how easily our harmony can be
destructed, and, sometimes even by ourselves
The best protection is respect, sensitivity and
personal maturity.
40. Block of Study: Our Common Identity, Shared
Experience and Values Unite the People in Our Country
Concept: National Identity, Shared Experiences
Guiding Questions:
(1) What makes us people of Singapore?
Generalisation:
Pupils will be able to share that common values on
racial and religious harmony based on consensus and
not conflict.
41. Content of Story
Positives
A reminder of a possible future, and reinforces the
need to maintain cultural harmony.
Forgiving and Respect is the value taught here.
43. Activity Book
Positive
Encourages students to get to know their friends
culture through their friends, and not using a
stereotypical template.
44. Activity Book
Cons
Given our food culture, how successful is
the activity?
45. Visuals
Look at the costumes of Mrs Joseph.
Can you tell what she is wearing?
Mrs Joseph willing to accept the cultural
costumes of the other communities
46. Visuals
Look at the pictures.
What do they tell about how communities interact?
Cultural diversity exists across
generations and this should be
48. Lets Look at the Syllabus!
Can you pick out the chapters that you
think show / teach cultural diversity?
Chapters 1-4: Different people who contributed
to Singapores early growth
Chapters 5-8: First-Gen political leaders
contribution (included people of different races)
49. Lets Look at the Syllabus!
However
Covers breadth but not depth
Content is history- heavy
Isit enough to learn about cultural
diversity of people in the past?
50. Lets Look at the Syllabus!
History-heavy Job stereotypes? Race
Stereotypes?
51. Lets Look at the Syllabus!
History-heavy Job stereotypes? Race
Stereotypes?
52. Lets look at the Textbook!
The PAST Mascots for textbooks
53. Lets look at the Textbook!
The CURRENT Mascot for textbooks
54. Why did they change the mascot?
More than 4 main races in Singapore!
Influx of foreigners
Singapore as a country
But has Sir Stamford Raffles ever become a
Singaporean? Is he a good representation?
56. REPRESENTING INDIA
P.31: More exposure given to India.
In Singapore, being Indian has come to being Tamil,
which is wrong.
For a long time, the representation of Indians in books
has been largely been influenced by Tamil/South Indian
culture.
58%
Tamils
42%
Non-Tamils
57. Representing India
Differences amongst a race
of people who have been
forcefully misrepresented for
the convenience of textbook
writers/educators!
58. REPRESENTING INDIA
There is now a detailed description of where Indians
come from and that they speak more languages other
than Tamil and Hindi (which are the languages people
would associate Indians with, in Singapore).
59. REPRESENTING INDIA
Spot the error on page 30!
(clue: Something wrong with the languages)
*It is also great that Indians are depicted as more than
coolies shown carrying heavy sacks of goods upon
emaciated bodies.
60. REPRESENTING MINORITIES WITHIN
MINORITIES
P.38-41: Excellent coverage for minorities within
minorities groups such as the Jews and Chitty
Peranakans
*Children of today are ready to hear more about greater
diversity of people such as the ones mentioned in these
pages.
62. REPRESENTING MINORITIES WITHIN
MINORITIES
Interesting! Did you know that David Marshall is a
Jew?
He has always been mentioned in the SS textbooks
when teaching students about the political aspects of
Singapore
63. REPRESENTING MINORITIES WITHIN
MINORITIES
For example: There are synagogues around in
Singapore, but no heritage tours (learning journeys for
s/s) made to them.
Were/Are we too comfortable
with sticking to the FOUR MAIN
GROUPS?
64. REPRESENTING MINORITIES WITHIN
MINORITIES
Personal experience: Never knew who Chitty
Peranakans were until I was 14 & my mother told
me about them.
Recommendation: Include more variety in
heritage tours. Move away from the usual Hindu
temple and church visit during learning
journey...go to Jewish synagogue and Sikh
temples.
67. REPRESENTING MALAYS
Malays from Malacca
The Javanese
The Boyanese THE MALAY
The Bugis
ARCHIPELA
The Minangkabaus
GO
What is the meaning of
archipelago?
69. Recommendations
Problem Recommendations
Content is too Teacher can plan a
history heavy. consolidation
There are minimal lesson to tie
links to the present. everything up
Strong focus on the together.
past can lead to Link what they have
students forming learnt in the past
stereotypes. chapters to people
in the present.
70. Recommendations
Chapters 5-8: How our first-generation
political leaders have contributed to
Singapore
Make a link to present-day people: President
SR Nathan, etc
71. Recommendations
Problem Recommendations
Sir Stamford Raffles We still need to build our
Mascot for textbooks national identity so the 4 races
are still important.
may not be a good However, have more different
representation of representations of the 4 races in
Singaporeans Singapore!
72. Recommendations
Problem Recommendations
SS learning journeys focus For heritage-based
more on sites which have fieldtrips, Include more
to do with the four main variety!
races Break away from the
usual hindu/ chinese
temples.
Instead, go to Jewish
synagogue and Sikh
temples
73. Conclusion: The Vision.moving forward
To see commonness and
togetherness beyond the
cultural sphere.
Mdm Nisa Understand and respect
ones identity, cultural and
religion
Students must be more
sensitive to others than
before as you will definitely
Mr Arbind find more mixed races
around nowadays
#11: Use this to show how the rest of the discussion will proceed.Inform them about the percentage of cultural diversity covered in the P2 instructional materials. However, we feel that the topic on integration is not thorough enough.Link generalisations in SOW to story books and explain how each of them is represented. Get them to agree that there cultural diversity is a recurring topic within the books.
#17: encourages Singaporeans to be open and accepting to foreigners, whilst introducing foreigners to the various practices in Singapore and encouraging their participation. The ending was appropriate; it teaches students (both Singaporeans and foreigners (PR) alike) the most important thing - To look at one another as individuals, while understanding that they belong to a collective.
#18: Whilst it shows Noi, the foreigner, as an accepting and open foreigner (directed at PRs), it fails to "teach" how Singaporeans could have, in turn, accommodated to Noi's customs or way of life, and by extension, those around them.The activities mentioned are of a diverse nature; students may be unable to fully grasp the concept of the activity to understand its relation to ehri culture. This is not properly explained. Moreover, the activities chosen are not necessarily race exclusive. Ex, Malay Christians can choose to have a church wedding, but that doesnt make them less Malay. This may confuse the child even further.Participation of different celebrations limited to showing up. Noi could have played a more active role to encourage students to have deeper and more meaningful participation with their friends cultural activities.
#19: The activities in the book focus on the 4 major races of Singapore, including Eurasian, which we tend to leave out. Moreover, the activities found inform Singaporeans of the costumes and festivals associated with each race.
#20: Traditional Costumes All different Others summarised under Westerners without a proper portrayal of their outfits. All summarised under the suit. (Insert Barney Stinson)Christmas--often being confused as a festival for celebration (religious customs or tradition). This will be revisited in the second book.Moreover, the activities do not help promote understanding and acceptance. This burden falls totally on the teacher. Therefore, we feel that the activity book could have been adjusted to let students paste stickers or cut outs of ethnic costumes on other races.
#30: Urges students to take pride in their race way they look, the cultures they originate from, and their festivals. Each race has a part of their culture which we can enjoy, be it as simple as Music or food, to other more complex aspects like Dance, Ways of thought, or Language and Literature. At least we get to enjoy their public holidays, right? (JOKE)
#31: Singapore is Cultural Diversity.Cultural Diversity does not solely means different races being forced to live together. There is no diversity if we are not united, only cultural division. Teacher must explain multi-culturalism is useless and even harmful unless we learn to live together in harmony. A Singapore with multi-culturalism but without racial harmony will not last for long.
#32: Encourages student to remember the joyous times they had in Singapore and be thankful. Teacher can use the chance to branch into the value of gratitude.
#33: May limit the children to very shallow thinking: They like Singapore because they enjoy a comfortable, materialistic life here. What then when life gets tougher? Teachers should get students to imagine about the bad times (especially like now). What will their students do, and why? Do they think that that is the right thing to do? Why?
#42: From the two boys, it is possible to deduce a possible future in which Singaporeans turn against one another and live in unrest due to a poorly spoken remark.Refer to previous topic, remember cultural diversity is not cultural division.
#43: Link with Racial Harmony Day, where a similar method of encouraging national safety was used. (Bring up the benefits of having a harmonious multicultural society--do not always focus on the negative)
#44: Students will most probablyquestion their friend about their choice of ingredient. This way, students exchange cultural and personal information instead of being fed from a book.
#45: Singapore is flooded with the huge variety of food from many cultures found all over the world. Do we still possess tastes unique of a certain race, or have we been westernised?
#49: Chapter 2 shows more sign of branching out farther than the 4 races in Singapore.
#51: Students who may not have contact with other races may just form their opinions based on this because this is what they know.Also, westerners / europeans were always merchants, so there may even be a sense of inferiority.
#70: Through this, they will get rid of job stereotypes and race stereotypes
#71: Medical Social Worker in 1955In the油Laju incident油on 31 January 1974, members of the terrorist油Japanese Red Army油bombed petroleum tanks on油PulauBukom油off the coast of Singapore; Nathan was among a group of government officers who volunteered to be held hostage by the JRA to secure the release of civilian hostages.Singapores High Commissioner to MalaysiaAmbassador to USADirector of Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at NTUPresident of Singapore