PURPOSES OF USING SONGS AND POETRY IN THE MALAYSIAN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Cultural Considerations Definition: - Awareness towards the culture and beliefs that differ from each race. - Respecting others way of life and their values How to Use Songs and Poetry in Improving Cultural Considerations in Children: - Factors that should be considered: o Cultural biasness o Sensitivity to the impact of culturally-induced behaviour o Familiarity to learners background knowledge o The use of words or expressions which are perceived as inappropriate or offensive for the students Example of Activities and Song/Poem could be used: - Producing animals masks o Choose a poem and show to the pupils. o Read aloud the poem with actions. o Divide the pupils into groups. o Name the groups hen, dog, little calf, and little cat. o Each pupil has to make a mask of the animals with their characters according to their respective group names. o Read the poem with actions again while wearing their respective masks. Example of poem: Farmyard Little hen feathered and red pecking round for scraps of bread Little goat fierce and white thinks his rope is much too tight. Little pig Muddy and fat Rolling on the mat Waiting for a rat.

Justifications: Close to some of the pupils background. Some of them might experience living nearer to the farm hen, goat The pig that mentioned in the poem could teach them not to discriminate the animal even though it is being prohibited to eat for Muslim. To expose to the pupils about animals around them. To expose to the pupils about the living things at the farm, especially in the village.

Small book o Choose a poem and show to the pupils. o Read aloud the poem with actions. o Provide them with a piece of paper and cut it to be a small book. o Draw the food mentioned in the poem according to their categories. o Decorate the small book. Example of poem: Food around Us Cotton candy is so sweet, Easily melt and its pink, Cotton candy is so sweet, I love the food. Roti canai is round in shape, Thin and soft very yummy, Roti canai is round in shape, I love the food. Nasi lemak with some fish, Plus an egg makes me hungry, Nasi lemak with some fish, I love the food. o Justifications: To make the pupils aware of the Malaysians food. To make them appreciate our culture, including the cuisine.

Producing greeting cards o Choose a song. o Ask pupils to produce cards of the festivals or celebrations mentioned in the song. Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali o Justifications Encourage the pupils to appreciate their cultures. To show to them the colourful cultures in Malaysia. To teach them not to discriminate other races. To enhance unity among pupils with different races. Example of song: Selamat Hari Raya (Tune: Happy Birthday) Happy Eid Fitri, Happy Eid Fitri, Happy Eid Fitri to my friends, Happy Eid Fitri. Could change into: (i) Chinese New Year (ii) Deepavali

Play-it-right o Choose a song, either original or adapted one. o Bring the pupils to a wide place like a hall. o Provide them with instruments. Examples: Gendang (made by used tin) Percussion (made by a small container that contains sand) Chopsticks o Play the instruments with the correct rhythm. Example of song: Selamat Hari Raya (Tune: Happy Birthday) Happy Eid Fitri, Happy Eid Fitri, Happy Eid Fitri to my friends, Happy Eid Fitri. Could add: (iii) (iv)

Chinese New Year Deepavali

Fashion show o Choose a song or a poem. o Provide the pupils with old newspapers. o Ask them to design clothes for the races mentioned in the poem. Examples: Saree Cheongsam Baju Melayu o Do a runaway in front of the class. o Ask pupils to evaluate the most creative design. Example of song: Selamat Hari Raya (Tune: Happy Birthday) Happy Eid Fitri, Happy Eid Fitri, Happy Eid Fitri to my friends, Happy Eid Fitri. Could add: (v) (vi)

Chinese New Year Deepavali