Building Social Cohesion in a Diverse Society

Active learning works well for this topic because building social cohesion is not just about learning facts. Students need to reflect on their own experiences and see how shared spaces shape their daily lives. By moving, discussing, and creating together, they connect the lesson to their own world.

• Primary 3
• Social Studies
• 3 activities
• 20 min–40 min

Learning Objectives

1. Explain how specific government policies, such as HDB ethnic integration policies, promote racial and religious harmony.
2. Analyze the role of shared spaces like schools and community centers in fostering a collective Singaporean identity.
3. Compare the experiences of different ethnic groups in shared spaces and identify commonalities.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of national narratives in building social cohesion among diverse populations.
5. Identify challenges to social cohesion in Singapore and propose solutions.

Gallery Walk

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Our Shared Spaces

Display photos of a playground, a hawker center, a school canteen, and an MRT station. Students move around to note one way people of different races interact in each space and share their observations on a 'Harmony Wall.'

Prepare & details

How do public housing (HDB) and educational policies contribute to racial and religious harmony in Singapore?

Facilitation Tip: When students investigate HDB estates, ask guiding questions that push them to look beyond the building itself and think about the people who live inside it.

Setup: Wall space or tables arranged around room perimeter

Materials: Large paper/poster boards, Markers, Sticky notes for feedback

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Think-Pair-Share

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: My Best Friend

Students think about a friend who is of a different race or background. They discuss with a partner one thing they have learned from that friend (like a word or a food) and share how their friendship makes their life more interesting.

Prepare & details

Analyze the role of shared experiences and common spaces in building a collective Singaporean identity.

Setup: Standard classroom seating; students turn to a neighbor

Materials: Discussion prompt (projected or printed), Optional: recording sheet for pairs

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Inquiry Circle

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The HDB Story

In groups, students look at a diagram of an HDB block. They identify the 'common areas' like the void deck and the corridor, and brainstorm three activities that can happen there to bring neighbors together, then present their 'Community Plan.'

Prepare & details

Evaluate the challenges and successes in maintaining social cohesion amidst increasing diversity.

Setup: Groups at tables with access to source materials

Materials: Source material collection, Inquiry cycle worksheet, Question generation protocol, Findings presentation template

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Teaching This Topic

Start with what students already know about their own neighborhoods. Avoid beginning with abstract definitions of diversity or harmony. Research shows that students grasp these concepts better when they connect them to tangible places like the canteen or the playground. Encourage them to notice the everyday moments they usually overlook.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students recognizing how shared spaces create opportunities for interaction. You will hear them talk about real people and places they know, not just textbook ideas. Their reflections should show they understand that harmony comes from daily encounters.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Gallery Walk, watch for students who assume harmony happens naturally in shared spaces.

What to Teach Instead

Use the case studies from the Gallery Walk to show how Singapore's housing policies, like the Ethnic Integration Policy, were designed to create mixed communities. Ask students to explain how these policies make a difference in daily life.

Common Misconception

During the Daily Logs in Think-Pair-Share, watch for students who believe they only interact with people of other races on special occasions.

What to Teach Instead

Have students review their logs and highlight moments when they interacted with someone of a different background. Then, ask them to explain how these regular encounters help build understanding over time.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

After the Gallery Walk, pose the question to the class: 'What is one feature in a shared space that makes it easier for people to connect?' Have students justify their answers by referring to the examples they saw during the walk.

Quick Check

During the Collaborative Investigation, provide students with a short case study about a fictional HDB estate. Ask them to identify one policy mentioned that promotes social cohesion and explain how it works in one sentence.

Exit Ticket

After Think-Pair-Share, ask students to write down one example of a shared experience they have had with someone from a different ethnic background and explain how it helped them understand that person better.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge: Ask students to design a poster for a new community space that includes at least three features to encourage interaction between different groups. They must explain how each feature works in a short caption.
• Scaffolding: Provide sentence starters for students who struggle during the Collaborative Investigation, such as 'This policy helps because...' or 'People from different backgrounds might use this space by...'
• Deeper exploration: Invite students to interview a family member or neighbor about a shared experience they had with someone from a different background and present their findings to the class.

Key Vocabulary

Social Cohesion	The sense of belonging and togetherness within a society, where people feel connected to each other and the nation.
Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP)	A policy by the HDB that ensures a mix of ethnic groups in public housing estates to prevent segregation.
Shared Spaces	Places and facilities that are accessible to all members of society, encouraging interaction across different groups, such as parks, schools, and hawker centers.
National Narrative	The stories and shared memories that a nation tells about itself, helping to create a common identity and understanding among its people.
Inter-ethnic Understanding	The ability of people from different racial or ethnic backgrounds to understand and respect each other's cultures, beliefs, and experiences.