SSS e-bulletin (Nov 2020)

SOCIAL STUDIES (SECONDARY) E-BULLETIN Key updates for 2021

L IA C E N SP ITIO ED

GROWING THROUGH 2020 The year 2020 has been an exhilarating period of adaptation, experimentation, innovation and growth. Let us take some time to reflect and recharge as we prepare for the year ahead. In this

special

edition

have curated

Social

Studies

(Secondary)

e-bulletin,

we

information that would be useful as you plan for

2021. Happy holidays in advance!

- From all of us at the Social Studies (Secondary) Unit

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2020 SOCIAL STUDIES NORMAL (TECHNICAL) SYLLABUS In 2019, Books 1A and 1B were launched for the Secondary 1 Normal (Technical) N(T) students. Next year, you can look forward to using Books 2A, 2B and 3 with your Secondary 2 and 3 N(T) students. The table below shows the implementation timeline of the N(T) syllabus.

Title of Coursebook Book 1A: Living in a Multicultural Society Book 1B: Embracing Migration

Year of Implementation

Level of Implementation

2020

Secondary 1

Secondary 2

Book 2A: Resolving Conflict and Building Peace Book 2B: Protecting Our Environment Book 3: Maximising Opportunities in a Changing World

2021

Book 4: Building a Caring Nation and an Inclusive Society

2022

Secondary 3

Secondary 4

Coursebooks Schools will receive one complimentary copy of Books 2A, 2B and 3 each by 13 November 2020.

School bookshops will receive Books 2A, 2B and 3 by 13 November 2020.

Teaching and Learning Syllabus Schools will receive two copies of the Teaching & Learning Syllabus by mid-November 2020.

The following resources have been updated and uploaded on the Social Studies (Secondary) Wikipage OPAL 2.0 (url: http://go.gov.sg/ssswiki): 2020 N(T) e-Teaching & Learning Syllabus (e-TLS) 2020 N(T) e-Teaching & Learning Guide (e-TLG) Lesson Ideas for Books 1A, 1B, 2A and Book 3's Performance Task.

For all available SLS resources, you may refer to the SLS catalogue at https://go.gov.sg/slscatalogue-sss.

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SOCIAL STUDIES EXPRESS AND NORMAL (ACADEMIC) SYLLABUSES We have completed our Mid-Term Review (MTR) and Full-Term Review (FTR) for the 2016 Express and Normal (Academic) E/N(A) syllabuses.

Through the MTR and FTR, the following are the recommendations made for the new syllabus cycle:

ill be The following w ew n retained in the syllabuses: pproach Issues-based a sues Current three Is ctives je b O t n e m s s e Ass

A greater focus on discussion-based inquiry strategies such as Socratic Seminar and ic Structured Academ Controversy

The content will be refined to achieve the following: Address more explicitly how citizens and government can work together for the good of society Cover more regional perspectives to increase students’ awareness of the political, cultural and economic developments in Southeast Asia

Look out for Micro-Learning Units (MLUs) in OPAL2.0 on the use of discussion-based inquiry in the classroom!

The new syllabuses will be launched in mid-2022. More details about the launch of the new syllabuses will be shared at a later date. Do keep a lookout for them!

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COMMON LAST TOPICS AND CURRICULUM TIME GUIDELINES A. Common Last Topics for National Examinations To facilitate contingency planning for teaching and assessment in the event of prolonged school closure due to national emergencies, there is a need to coordinate the last topics to be taught at Secondary 4 and 5.

In such circumstances, MOE and SEAB will adjust the national examinations so that teachers need not cover all the content. To do this fairly, it is important that schools have common topics that are taught last in the graduating levels.

Schools should ensure the following topics are taught last in the graduating levels: 'N' Level: Issue 3, Chapter 9 – How do we respond to tensions arising from some economic impact of globalisation?

'O' Level: Issue 3, Chapter 11 – How do we respond to tensions arising from some security impact of globalisation?

B. Curriculum Time Guidelines Schools are reminded to adhere to the Social Studies curriculum time guidelines as outlined in the table below.

Curriculum Time Planning Norms (based on 35 - 40 mins per period) Course

Express

N(A)

LS N(T)

US N(T)

No of periods/week

3

3

2

1

More details on the curriculum time guidelines can be found here: E/N(A) e-TLG, Section 2 (page 53) N(T) e-TLG, Section 3 (page 94)

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SOCIAL STUDIES (SECONDARY) WIKIPAGE ON OPAL2.0 The Social Studies (Secondary) Wikipage on OPAL2.0 is a one-stop platform managed by the Social Studies (Secondary) Unit.

With just a few clicks of the mouse, you will be able to access the e-TLG, e-TLS, SLS resources catalogue and other resources such as materials from past Teacher Professional Development courses.

Join now by scanning the QR code or visiting http://go.gov.sg/ssswiki

Follow the steps below to become a member of the Wikipage on OPAL2.0

To access the SSS Wikipage via a supported web browser on your Internet-enabled device:

Access the Wikipage via the QR code above or visit http://go.gov.sg/ssswiki Log in to your OPAL2.0 account Select <Wiki> under ‘Community Menu’.

Click on the “Become Member” button.

Remember to save the Wikipage link in your browser bookmark.

To access the SSS Wikipage via the OPAL 2.0 app:

Locate <Social> by clicking <More> at the extreme right of the bottom menu.

Next, use the search bar and type in ‘Social Studies (Secondary)’.

Select <Wiki> under ‘Community Menu’.

Click on the “Become Member” button.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN 2021OPPORTUNITIES IN 2021 The table below lists relevant courses that are available for registration via OPAL2.0 in 2021.

Name of Course

Month

Issues-based Seminar 1 (Issue 1)

Feb 2021

Issues-based Seminar 2 (Issue 2)

Apr 2021

Issues-based Seminar 3 (Issue 3)

July 2021

Facilitating Discussions in the Social Studies Classroom Using Socratic Seminar and Structured Academic Controversy

Apr 2021

Brief Description of Course

In these seminars, teachers will discuss recent trends and developments pertaining to the three Issues. Teachers will also explore how they can apply their learning in the classroom.

Through this workshop, teachers will deepen their understanding of discussion-based strategies such as Socratic Seminar and Structured Academic Controversy.

Teachers will also be equipped with strategies to conduct discussions effectively in the classroom.

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OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLABORATE WITH SSS UNIT Do you... have lots of ideas for bringing the joy of learning into the classroom? have good classroom practices to share? enjoy working in groups?

If your answer to any of the above questions is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yesâ&#x20AC;?, consider the following collaborations with the Social Studies (Secondary) Unit:

2023 E/N(A) TLG Work Group (Research on Discussion-based Inquiry)

2023 E/N(A) Digital Learning Materials (Research Study)

Contributing to iSSues Explorer

If you are interested in the use of discussion-based strategies in Social Studies, we invite you to collaborate with us. This work group will study how discussion-based strategies can support the enactment of inquiry-based learning in the classroom.

To indicate your interest, please email the following officers by 25 January 2021: Farah_Khairiah_RIFAEI@moe.gov.sg Samantha_Gracie_THEVAN@moe.gov.sg

If you are interested in developing digital learning materials with the unit, we invite you to join our research study for the 2023 E/N(A) syllabuses.

To indicate your interest, please email the following officers by 19 February 2021: Fateha_Abdullah@moe.gov.sg Teo_Ee_Jun@moe.gov.sg

If you have good lesson ideas or strategies for teaching Social Studies, we invite you to contribute articles to the iSSues Explorer e-newsletter.

To indicate your interest, please fill in the form at https://go.gov.sg/issuesexplorercollab

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