Singapore Primary 4 Social Studies Syllabus

This syllabus seeks to develop students' understanding of Singapore's past and how it shapes present-day life. Through inquiry-based learning, students develop knowledge, skills, and values essential for informed citizenship.

Inquiry Focus: How is life in Singapore today shaped by what happened in the past?

Key Understandings:

• Stories and historical records help us understand early Singapore.
• Our settlers came from different parts of the world.
• The contributions of our settlers are reflected in Singapore today.
• The Japanese Occupation affected the people in Singapore in different ways.
• Our leaders contributed to Singapore's journey towards independence.

Key Concepts:

• Heritage
• Change and Continuity
• Diversity
• Contributions
• Independence

Topics:

• Early Singapore: This topic explores the story of Sang Nila Utama, historical records of early Singapore, and the reasons for its founding as a British trading port.
• Settlers in Singapore: This topic examines the origins of Singapore's settlers, their reasons for migrating, the challenges they faced, and their contributions to Singapore's growth in areas such as education, healthcare, and places of worship. It also covers how their contributions are remembered through street and place names.
• The Japanese Occupation: This topic covers the events leading to the fall of Singapore, the impact of the occupation on people's lives, the contributions of different people during the war, and the end of the occupation.
• The Road to Independence: This topic explores post-war Singapore under British rule, the system of self-government, the contributions of people towards self-government, the merger and separation, and the formation of Singapore's first Cabinet after independence.

Field-based Learning Experiences: These experiences aim to provide students with real-world context and multi-sensory learning opportunities. Suggested locations include:

• Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery: To understand the contributions of the Malay and Muslim community.
• Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery: To understand the contributions of the Chinese community.
• Fort Canning Park: To learn how historical evidence helps us understand early Singapore.

Suggested Performance Task: Students create a digital story about the origins of a street or place name in Singapore that commemorates a settler or group of settlers. This task encourages research, creativity, and reflection.