Humanities
Head of Department
Mr Andy Koh Min Chit
Subject Head
Mdm Li Huilin
Senior Teacher
Mr Andy Chong (History)
Teachers
Mr Low Yi En
Mr Ng Wee Chung
Mr Chin Khai Fung
Mr Alvin Lye
Mrs Jeannie Pan
Miss Joanne Toh
Miss Nurbaya
Mrs Gloria Tan
Aristotle once said, “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
Simply put, knowledge is gained by making meaning from direct experiences, a theory popularized by renowned American educational theorist, David A. Kolb.
At HSS, the inquiry approach is the cornerstone to our students’ learning. Our students learn how to gather relevant information, to make sense of them meaningfully, and to draw well-reasoned conclusions supported by evidence. To facilitate the learning, the department organises numerous learning journeys to support the inquiry process.
Within the classrooms, student-centred pedagogies such as Collaborative Learning and Student Directed Learning are widely used to engage our learners. The department has also incorporated thinking routines from Harvard’s Making Thinking Visible into the curriculum to build a classroom culture and community of enthusiastically engaged thinkers and learners. Different ICT tools such as Nearpod, Kahoot and Padlet are employed by the teachers to support Blended Learning.
Vision
Nurturing lifelong learners in the study of Humanities
Lower Secondary
Geographical Investigation (GI)
Sec 1
Sec 1 students conducted their GI via water testing at the school’s ponds. They took samples of water from the ponds and used the water test kits to test pH of the water and examine its quality. This allowed for a hands-on activity for students to test real-world issues such as the water of ponds.
Sec 2
Singapore has one of the most rapidly ageing populations in the world. It is estimated that by 2030, one in four people will be aged over 65 years, and that this will rise to almost one in two by 2050. Sec 2 students were tasked to investigate the guiding question,”Is Hougang an elderly-friendly neighbourhood?” The students embark on a self directed group project where they conduct surveys, collect, analyse and present their data. They will then come out with a conclusion and a reflection on the whole process of their investigation.
Historical Investigation (HI)
Sec 1
This year, the Secondary One students visited two museums - the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and the National Museum of Singapore. They looked through the artefacts and exhibits on display to help them in their investigation of life in Colonial Singapore. Gathering evidence by photographing relevant exhibits and applying their newly learnt historical thinking concepts, the students were able to make inferences about Singapore’s past. HI learning journeys indeed sparked joy in the students’ learning as they brought history to life, outside the classroom.
Sec 2
This year, the Secondary Two students went through a series of museum virtual tours designed by our very own Secondary Two history teachers. This was an opportunity to sculpt students’ learning experience by helping them delve into the traumas and heart wrenching episodes of World War 2 and the Japanese Occupation.
After collecting photos and short video clips from National Museum, Changi Chapel Museum and Ford Factory Museum, the teachers edited and then uploaded the series of virtual tours onto the Student Learning Space to let the students experience them on their own. The virtual tour allowed them to view the exhibitions at their own pace and conduct investigations without stepping into the three museums physically.
The students then used the “PAGES” app to fill up a guided template which led them through the historical investigation process.
Istana Heritage Challenge
Sec Two students visited the Istana Heritage Gallery and participated in an exciting historical discovery. They were able to examine the artefacts and exhibits of the gallery and learn about the iconic Istana and its rich heritage. Moreover, it provided the students glimpses into the lives of our Presidents and Singapore’s diplomatic relations with other nations.
Upper Secondary
Geographical Investigation
Sec 4/5
The Humanities Department has organized a Geographical Investigation (GI) for our Sec 4 and 5 Geography Elective students held at Jewel Changi Airport. Through this activity, students will be able to conduct data gathering and extend their classroom learning through direct observation and experience.
Their investigation revolved around the number of visitors that flock to Jewel and if there was a correlation to the either the variety of attractions and amenities found at Jewel, or the variety of food and beverage establishments present in the area.
Students were tasked to conduct the following:
● Detailed land use survey
● Pedestrian count
● Observation through annotated photographs
After which, they took their primary data back to the classroom to make sense of the data after visually representing it and discussing as a group.
Stretch Programmes
History Challenge
2 Sec Three students participated in the MOE History Challenge through SLS. They were able to understand more about the study of history through the questions asked. This year, there were over 400 students from 120 schools who participated in this competition.
Appeasement Board Game
Sec Three students played a board game about the Appeasement Policy, which was the prelude to the outbreak of World War II in Europe. They were able to play the roles of different countries and step into the shoes of key historical figures like PM Neveille Chamberlain. Game-based-learning allows students to apply historical thinking and analyse historical events.
World Vision
As part of the Geography Unit’s stretch programme for the higher ability students, selected students attended a movie screening titled “Thank You for the Rain”. The documentary captures the journey of a Kenyan farmer challenged by climate change to that of an activist on the global stage. After the screening, there was a talk conducted by World Vision where students will learn more about and discuss global and local efforts in tackling climate change.
Gardens By The Bay
As part of the Social Studies Unit’s stretch programme for the higher ability students, selected students attended a learning journey at Gardens By The Bay to learn about Singapore’s land reclamation efforts. Through the story of Marina Bay, students appreciate how the nation overcomes land scarcity, what land reclamation is and how land is used sustainably and efficiently in our city.
Internalisation Trip to Vietnam, May 2023
The Humanities Department organised the first learning journey after the pandemic to Vietnam. During the 5 Day 4 Night trip to Ho Chi Min City and Vung Tau City, students experienced the rich cultural, historical and geographical features of Vietnam. Students visited sites which helped them understand the rich and difficult history of the Vietnam War - through the Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remants Museum.
Students also visited different cultural and religious sites such as the statue of Jesus and buddhist/Vietnamese temples at Vung Tau City. They also visited a Vietnamese mosque at Ho Chi Min City. Through the visit of these sites, students learnt about local tourism and the rich diversity of cultures in Vietnam. Through the visit to the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park 1, students also learnt about the important bilateral trade ties between Singapore and Vietnam.
Internalisation Trip to Bali, Oct 2023
Our school’s journey to Bali offers a unique Humanities learning opportunity with an added focus on understanding tourism in this enchanting island. Students immerse in the Balinese way of life, including an immersion program with Sekolah Negari Satu Denpasar to gain insights into education in Bali. From mastering traditional dance and gamelan rhythms to exploring the UNESCO-recognized Subak rice production system, they learn about the island’s rich culture and environmental practices. Additionally, students get to explore the dynamics of tourism in Bali, witnessing how this industry interacts with the region’s geography. Bali’s lush landscapes and vibrant traditions offer an enriching educational adventure, turning the entire island into a living Humanities classroom.