HAPI: Humanities-Aesthetics Programmes Integrated

By Rosyth School

Subject Integration

Integration of the content and key concepts of different subjects in the curriculum has made teaching more effective and learning more meaningful and relevant to our pupils. In line with the philosophy of ‘Teach Less, Learn More’, Rosyth has embarked on HAPI (Humanities-Aesthetics Programmes Integrated) which integrates Social Studies, Art and Music to consolidate knowledge, skills and values of these disciplines to focus on the delivery of National Education (NE).

Implementation

HAPI has allowed Rosyth to incorporate specially planned experiential-learning activities which were not possible before the subjects were integrated. HAPI has been piloted in Primary 4 in 2005 and will be extended to Primary 3 and 5 in 2006 and 2007 respectively. In Primary 4, HAPI teachers work in teams of threes or fours to plan and conduct lessons incorporating content, concepts, skills and values from the three disciplines. Lessons are conducted over a 5-period block once a week for each class and are planned around the major themes of Environment, Continents & Oceans, Adaptations and Japanese Occupation.

Activities

HAPI activities include teambuilding, teacher-designed games, cooperative learning and multiple intelligence activities. Group-based activities involve pupils creating water filtration models, forest corners, weather charts, culture boxes, musical instruments, board games and war medals.

Teambuilding activities and games

Teacher-designed card games

Music making using utensils

Making water filtration models

Creating forest corners

Making culture boxes

Creating World War 2 board games

Making war medals

Special programmes have been organised with the support of external trainers. This includes mural painting and voice training. Learning trails have taken pupils to the forest trail at MacRitchie Nature Reserve and Bukit Chandu, Labrador Park and Civic District for the HAPI Day Camp.

Mural painting

Voice training

Class performance

Presentations

Forest trail

Bukit Chandu

Civic District memorials

Labrador Park

Planning and Support

Text Box: Training sessions The heads of the NE & Social Studies, Art and Music departments were involved in the planning of schemes of work together with staff identified to implement the HAPI programme. Inputs were also sought from staff of the National Institute of Education (NIE). As a broadening of teaching competencies is required for effective delivery of HAPI lessons, designing appropriate training programmes with the NIE to develop these competencies has been a major area of development.

 

Text Box: Planning lessons Middle management and senior staff are involved in driving, monitoring and evaluating the programme with the support of school leaders. Through HAPI:

·        pupils’ learning experiences become more meaningful

·        more activity-based, experiential-learning lessons are conducted

·        time is created for more focused teaching and learning

·        opportunities for character development are increased

Text Box: Making resources …

Parental Involvement

Text Box: Involvement in trips

An important success factor in the achievement of the objectives and smooth implementation of HAPI has been the extremely enthusiastic support and commitment of our key partners.

Text Box: … card game

Text Box: HAPI teacher-aides

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is a key partner in HAPI through its strong and passionate support in sourcing and preparation of resources for activities, coordinating field trips and serving as teacher-aides in HAPI lessons. With the active involvement of parents in the role of partners in education, HAPI has been another Rosyth success story.

 

Submitted by:

Mr Raymond Bong
Rosyth School
bong_raymond_kenneth@moe.edu.sg