Humanities
The Humanities Department has a staff strength of 9 teachers. The department is led by Miss Khairunisa Mohamed Ya’akob as Head of Department/Humanities. The department is also supported by Mr Ahmad Zakir as SH/Humanities.
OUR TEACHERS
| Ms Khairunisa Mohamed Ya’akob
HOD / Humanities |
khairunisa_mohamed_yaakob@moe.edu.sg |
| Ms Chen Weiling Adeline
HOD / Aesthetics |
chen_weiling_adeline@moe.edu.sg |
| Mr Chiu Guo Vei
HOD / Character & Citizenship Education |
chiu_guo_vei@moe.edu.sg |
| Mr Shaifrizman Bin Maktar SH / Student Management |
shaifrizman_bin_maktar@moe.edu.sg |
| Ms Ng Swee Ying | ng_swee_ying@moe.edu.sg |
| Ms Klara Tan Hui Wen | tan_hui_wen_klara@moe.edu.sg |
| Mr Muhammad Kamal Abdul Halim | muhammad_kamal_abdul_halim@moe.edu.sg |
| Ms Seah Yiting | seah_yiting@moe.edu.sg |
| Mr Goh Ming Ann John | goh_ming_ann_john@moe.edu.sg |
| Ms Stella Tan | tan_wan_yee_stella@moe.edu.sg |
| Ms Jaliza Binte Jamaludin | jaliza_jamaludin@moe.edu.sg |
| Ms Wong Xin Yi Alicia | wong_xin_yi_alicia@moe.edu.sg |
PHILOSOPHY
The 21st century is characterized by constant change and evolution of the human and geographical ‘landscape’ propelled by rapid changes to our social, economic and political contexts. Thus, the 21st century learner requires 21st century skills of communication, collaborative learning, critical and creative thinking skills to manage the challenges of the 21st century world.
As such, the GSS Humanities Department aims to not only deliver a Humanities education that helps students to excel in their respective subjects but to also allow for personal growth and equip students with life-skills that prepare them for the future.
DEPARTMENT PEDAGOGY
The Humanities department believes in a pedagogical approach focused on developing deep conceptual understanding. Towards this end, the main pedagogy strategies include Socratic Questioning and Inquiry based learning where role play, debates, oral presentations, multimedia presentations and blended learning incorporating face-to-face learning and ICT platforms such as padlet, toodoo and forums are used. These strategies enable teachers to be the facilitators of learning and students are the self-directed learners who construct knowledge for themselves using a critical mind.
Rich learning beyond the classroom takes the form of investigations and learning journeys as well as external competitions. For students of Geography, for instance, Geographical investigation/field studies are an integral component to enhancing students’ learning experience as well as providing a context to enhance students’ understanding of geographical concepts and processes as they utilise geographical instruments and tools for investigative purposes. For History and Social Studies, students’ learning are similarly enhanced through the investigative component of the syllabus which allows for students to participate collaboratively in an inquiry or investigate on a historical/societal issue. This will involve planning, gathering, examining sources/data as well as communicating the findings. Learning journeys and external competitions reinforce learning in classrooms and help students better retain content concepts.
DISTINCTIVE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMMES
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| Programmes | Objectives |
|---|---|
| CURRICULUM PROGRAMMES | |
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The learning journeys organised served to
bring learning outside of the classroom where students are able to apply
content learnt within the four walls of the classroom to that in the real
world. It serves as an additional lense to the students that contextualises and
enrich their learning experience. In line with the direction of the Humanities branch, the Humanities
department believes that alternative assessments are integral in preparing our
students with 21st Century skills which is required due to the complex
environment that we live in today. As such, the projects/task undertaken via
the various investigations from Secondary to Secondary are designed to allow
students to integrate knowledge, skills and values learnt and demonstrated in
the classroom. In addition, the project and tasks are also designed to provide
our Secondary 1 -3 students the opportunity to be informed, concerned and
participative citizens.
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| CO- CURRICULUM PROGRAMMES | |
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In line with MOE's initiative to nurture the joy of learning, the Humanities Department enrol students in external competitions and enrichment such as the 2019 Model ASEAN Summit organised by Hwa Chong Institution as well as the NUS Geography Challenge. Such platforms serve to bring the skills and content learnt in the Humanities classroom into real world application. |
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HOMEWORK AND ASSESSMENT POLICY
| HOMEWORK | ASSESSMENT |
|---|---|
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Learning begins when students acquire the information from the teacher/the net/their friends. However learning is only complete when students are able to apply the information learnt. Assignment help to achieve this as it enables students to apply the concepts learnt which results in a deeper understanding of the subject. Thus to help students apply their learning and to help teachers identify gaps in learning, the Humanities homework policy is designed to ensure that students will have sufficient hands-on practice on the concepts/topic/skills taught. This means that other than assignments given during class, the Humanities students will have a weekend homework which also serves to help students consolidate learning for that week.
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Humanities assessment policy consists of formative and summative assessments which include assessment for, of and as learning. These modes of assessment
aim to facilitate meaningful learning of the Humanities subject where the learning process is developmentally appropriate and caters to students’ varied needs and helps them acquire 21
st
Century competencies. These assessments include:
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