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G1 students are exploring the wisdom of the Naxi people's thousand-year-old Dongba culture; G2 students are delving into the spiritual world of the Tibetan people through Thangka art; G3 students are experiencing the warmth of the Uyghur people through joyful dance music...
This year, Sedbergh Junior School's Integrated Curriculum theme focuses on ethnic minorities: “Colourful China, United in Harmony.” Each grade level embodies the role of a “little ambassador” for a specific ethnic group, exploring knowledge and culture through collaborative learning across subjects such as language arts, mathematics, art, and music, thereby experiencing the “renewal” and “resonance” brought by knowledge and culture.
Music is a universal language
“When deciding on the theme, I imagined children dressed in traditional ethnic costumes playing confidently, with the whole scene filled with the joy of cultural integration,” shared Ms. Rita.
Hulusi Ensemble: Bamboo in the Moonlight takes the audience on a journey to experience the tranquility of a Dai ethnic group bamboo house; Ch and the Latin dance version of “Jasmine Flower” offer a refreshingly different interpretation... Each performance is unique, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
G4's Instrumental Ensemble: Palace of the Clouds left a deep impression on Ms. Rita: “This program, which originated entirely in the classroom, was performed using simple instruments such as the five-note bangzi, cymbals, bells, and large drums. During the early rehearsals, the biggest challenge was achieving balance among the vocal parts and precise synchronization of the rhythm. After prolonged collaboration, the performance on the day was truly stunning. All the techniques—percussion rhythms, flute fingering and breathing, and vocal part coordination—were honed and refined through daily music lessons, bit by bit.”
All of the programs in this performance are a natural extension of our daily classroom teaching. We hope that students will experience the rich diversity of Chinese culture through music. Through ensemble playing, they will learn teamwork, the importance of listening to others, and the ability to cooperate with one another. More importantly, we aim to help them confidently express themselves on stage, ultimately enabling them to appreciate the uniqueness of music as a universal language. They will come to understand that music transcends geographical and linguistic barriers, serving as an emotional bridge that connects hearts and fosters understanding.
Ms. Rita shared, “This art festival deeply moved me. Witnessing the transformation of the children allowed me to see the profound value of music education. Through art education, we can cultivate a future generation with a global perspective and a deep cultural foundation. As music educators, we are contributing our efforts to building a harmonious, colorful, and inclusive future society. Although it is hard work, seeing the progress and growth of our students makes it all worthwhile!”
From “I don't know” to “I understand”
After extensive preparation and refinement, the students shone brightly at the “Colourful China, United in Harmony” themed learning outcomes exhibition.
Learn about the hardworking symbolism of the Naxi people's “star-studded” attire, connect remotely with intangible cultural heritage inheritors to study Dongba paper craftsmanship, and create Dongba script cards and refrigerator magnets; design Tibetan Thangka patterns, creatively make butter flowers and bracelets; use mind maps to organize the cultural characteristics of the Uyghur people, and engage in writing exercises to showcase ethnic flair; research Miao silver jewelry craftsmanship, stilted house architecture, and distinctive cuisine; visit She ethnic villages for field studies, document cultural observations, and personally craft traditional handicrafts such as phoenix crowns and baskets.
Cut out flowers and plants made of Dongba paper and measure their geometric shapes; learn about the symmetrical aesthetics and special numerical symbols of Tibetan masks; appreciate the patterns and graphic features of traditional Uyghur carpets, draw carpets, and calculate their areas; measure the weight of Miao silver jewelry, the capacity of rice wine, and the structure of stilt houses; build She ethnic group architectural models and analyze the differences between them and the architecture of other ethnic groups in terms of form and materials used.
Painting Naxi ethnic group figures and exploring traditional headdress culture, then modeling headdresses with clay; explaining Tibetan clothing patterns and the geographical features of the Himalayas; recounting vivid characters from Miao legends in English; learning English vocabulary related to She culture.
Understand the knowledge related to Zhuang drums; explore the bamboo weaving art of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan; master the craftsmanship and history of Bai tie-dyeing in Yunnan, and make tie-dyed handkerchiefs, tie-dyed canvas bags, and other handicrafts; decorate Dai oil paper umbrellas.
“I was deeply moved to see how the children put their hearts into preparing for this integrated course. The teacher took the children to visit a She ethnic village, and the entire trip was a novel and interesting experience for them. This learning method allowed them to gain knowledge that was far more profound than what they could learn from textbooks,” said a mother visiting the exhibition.
“I am delighted to see cultural identity quietly growing through experience; national pride naturally blossoming through exploration; and comprehensive literacy comprehensively enhanced through practice! The true essence of education lies in transforming the words in textbooks into real-life experiences,” said Teacher Zoey with emotion.
The primary school stage is a critical period of growth. A scientifically designed curriculum and appropriate teaching methods will directly impact children's future learning abilities and personality development. Quality education should be like a “key” that opens up multiple perspectives for each child to understand the world.
The Integrated Curriculum at Junior School is not simply a combination of subjects, but rather a carefully designed thematic learning approach that integrates subjects such as Chinese, mathematics, English, and art. Through this process of learning and exploration, students naturally acquire knowledge across all subjects.
This interdisciplinary approach not only sparks children's curiosity and desire to explore but also cultivates their comprehensive thinking skills. At Sedbergh School, every Integrated Curriculum experience is a journey of discovery. We believe that the learning experience gained through the Integrated Curriculum equips students with lifelong learning abilities and cultural literacy.
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