Literature @ Fairfield Secondary School

Students in Fairfield start learning Literature as a subject only from Secondary 2 onwards so that students are not overwhelmed with too many subjects in Secondary 1. For my practicum, I 've been assigned a Secondary 2 class to teach, as such, I would know more about literature in lower secondary than that in upper secondary. In case you're curious, the Secondary 4 students are reading Tell Tales for their 'O' level text.

In Secondary 2, they begin the year studying about poetry and literary devices. The school prepared a poetry package (2 thick sets of worksheets) which the students have to bring and refer to for Literature lessons. Poems are easy to understand and relate to as those chosen were by Singaporean poets who discuss about life in Singapore. I have been unable to observe a lesson where Literature is taught in the past 3 weeks has Fairfield has been involved in the school organised Poetry Slam Competition, tests and error analysis for examination scripts. In Term 2, the Secondary 2 students will read the play version of To Kill A Mockingbird by Christopher Sergel where I will begin teaching. At the end of Term 2, students will produce a video where they will have to act out some scenes in the play. Students will also be going to watch plays to give them an idea of how plays are put up to aid them in their final project.

Overall, Fairfield follows the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework where having identified the needs of the students and a final deliverable at the end of each term, a scheme of work is produced with a goal in mind. Thereafter, the department will find resources and prepare lessons that will help the students reach the final goal.