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Integrated Social Studies Curriculum

A Study on the MRT Train System in Singapore
Written by: Chin Yu Teng, Heng Leyi, Shermin Teo,
Debra Thang, Wendy Yee, Yeo Mei Xian

Integrated Social Studies Curriculum - The First Four Weeks

A Study on the MRT Train System in Singapore

Topic of Study: MRT Train System in Singapore

Age Group: 6 to 7 years old, Kindergarten 2 (K2)

The study of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system in Singapore provides the K2
learners, who come from all backgrounds, an opportunity to explore and make sense of
something that is familiar and relevant to their everyday life through new and varied lenses.
According the Ministry of Transport (2015), there are currently six in every 10
households in Singapore that live within a 10-minute walking distance to an MRT station. As
such, it would be more meaningful for urban children to study transportation because of
what they see and use each day (Jablon, 1992, p. 147). This is also in line with
Bronfenbrenners ecological theory, where learning first begins from the microsystem, which
refers to the immediate environment and experiences that a child encounters in the world
around him or her (Sincero, 2012).
When given the opportunity to explore and interact with things in their environment,
children widen their knowledge and acquire the essential skills and understanding to make
sense of the world around them. As mentioned by Jablon (1992, p. 145), using an integrated
approach to curriculum helps children see the direct application to these skills in their
learning, and this is the aim of our social studies curriculum.
Through this study, children will be provided with many opportunities and means to
investigate and express their learning (Ministry of Education, 2012). They would be able to
make observations, recreate observations, use visual arts and drama to symbolize and
represent their first-hand experiences, act on what they have learned and make connections
using movement, art, Math, and writing activities (Jablon, 1992). For example, they will get
to observe the day-to-day sights and behind-the-scenes of the MRT train system as well as
record and represent their findings in different ways, for instance, writings and block play.
The development of this study will also be greatly influenced by the learners prior
knowledge and areas of interest. Hence, a range of topics that are relevant to the MRT system
will be included, and learners may choose to delve deeper into certain topics with the
facilitation of the teacher. As supported by Jablon (1992, p. 145), experiences are
meaningful for children when they build on each other and lead to new experiences and
further learning.

Learning Outcomes
Learners will understand that:
MRT trains are a part of life in Singapore.

Essential questions:
- Why is the MRT system important for
people living and working in Singapore?
- What would Singapore be like if there were
no MRT trains? How would we get around?
- Who are the people who use the trains?

The MRT system comprises of many roles

played by people to keep it running.

- Who are the people who keep the stations

and trains running smoothly and safely?
- What are the various roles they play?

The MRT system comprises of tools and

equipment that keep it running.

- What are the tools and equipment needed to

keep the stations and trains running smoothly
and safely?
- What would happen if one job or
tool/equipment was missing?

The MRT system connects different places

and serves the community daily.

- How does the MRT system connect

different places in Singapore?
- What are some of the shops that we can find
outside the MRT stations?
- What was the MRT like in the past?
-What are the train systems in other countries
like?

Four-Week Sequence of Morning Meetings

Morning Meetings
1. Introduction - Transportation
Lets think about the word
Transportation.

Discussion Content
Possible questions to ask:
- What does transportation mean?
- Lets think about all the ways people get around.
- How do you get around?
Materials needed:
- Writing and drawing materials
- Drawing blocks
Activities:
- Let the children draw a picture of a form of
transportation they like to use - how they like to
get around.

2. Introduction - MRT System

Yesterday we talked about the various
modes of transportation that we know,
including the MRT train. Today we will
start our study on the MRT train system.
Lets share what we already know about
the MRT system.

Possible questions to ask:

- Lets share what we already know about the
MRT system.
- Have you been to an MRT station before?
What was it like?
- Have you ridden on the MRT train before? What
was it like?
- I wonder why we have the MRT system.
Materials needed:
- Magic markers
- K-W-L chart
Activities:
- Introduce the K-W-L chart to the children, What
we know, What we want to know and What
we learned.
- Write down the childrens knowledge of the
MRT train system or their responses in the first
column of the K-W-L chart, What we know.

3. What we want to learn about the

MRT system
Yesterday we shared on what we know
about the MRT system. Lets think
about what we would like to learn about
the MRT system.

Possible questions to ask:

- What do you want to learn about the MRT train
system?
Materials needed:
- Magic markers
- K-W-L chart from the first meeting
Activities:
- Write down what the children would like to learn
about the MRT system or their responses in the
second column of the K-W-L Chart, What we
want to know.

4. How are we going to study about

the MRT system?
Lets talk about how we can study about
the MRT system. What does it mean to
study something?

Possible questions to ask:

- What are the ways we can study about the MRT
system?
- Where can we find out more about the MRT
system?
- Who can we ask to find out more about the MRT
system?
Materials needed:
- Flip chart
- Magic markers
- Picture board
- Pictures of ways children can find out about the
MRT system
- Individual photographs of the children
Activities:
- Write down the ideas that children suggest.
- Introduce pictures of ways children can find out
about the MRT system. Have these pasted at the
bottom of the board: internet (includes videos and
photos), people, field trips, print materials
(books, newspapers, brochures and posters).
- Have the children paste their own photograph on
the board to graph their favourite way to find out
about the MRT system.

- List down the places suggested by the children on

a flip chart, and who they can ask questions about
the MRT system in Singapore.
- Let the children know that we will take a field
trip based on one of their suggested places, and
that they can think about the questions they want to
ask.

5. Pre-Field Trip - MRT Station

Tomorrow we will be visiting the MRT
station. Lets think about what we want
to look at in the MRT station and trains.

Possible questions to ask:

- What do you want to find out about the MRT
station and trains?
- Who should we ask if we want to learn more
about
- Where can we get information about
- What do we usually see happening at the MRT
stations? Which part of the station do they take
place at?
Materials:
- Magic markers
- Flip charts
Activities:
- The field trip will consist of a visit to a nearby
train station, followed by a train ride along five
stops out, and back, so children will be able to
compare at least two stations, and have adequate
time to observe and experience the sights and
sounds of the trains and stations.
- The teacher should note down areas or questions
the children might seem particularly interested in.

6. Field Trip - MRT Station

Today we are going on our field trip to
the MRT station. We are researching
everything we want to learn about the
MRT system.

Materials needed:
- Trip sheet (Refer to Appendix A)
- Writing materials
Activities:
- Let the children record what they see at the MRT
stations and trains using the trip sheet.

- Children are free to observe and ask any

questions they have to the MRT personnel or staff,
with the teachers facilitation and supervision.
7. Post Field Trip MRT Station
Places and Spaces
Yesterday we visited the MRT station.
What did we see in the physical space or
surroundings of the MRT station?

Possible questions to ask:

- What did you notice at the MRT station?
- Do you think all the train stations look the same?
Why? What are the possible similarities and
differences?
- Was it easy to move around the MRT station and
train? How and why?
- Lets explore why the physical spaces are
organized in this way.
Materials needed:
- Blocks
- Play dough
- Recycled materials
Activities:
- Invite the children to represent what they see at
the MRT station through block play.

8. Places and Spaces - Underground

MRT Station
Yesterday we talked about the physical
space of an over ground MRT station.
Lets think about the stations that are
underground.

Possible questions to ask:

- What are the possible similarities/differences
between an over ground and underground station?
- Why do you think there are underground
stations?
- How do the trains move from over ground to
underground stations?
Materials needed:
- Blocks
- Play dough
- Recycled materials
Activities:
- Invite the children to represent what they see at
the underground MRT station through block play.
- Encourage them to build onto their structure(s)
from the day before.

9. Places and Spaces MRT Train

We have been talking about the physical
spaces of MRT stations. Lets think
about the physical space in an MRT
train.

Possible questions to ask:

- Can you describe what we saw in the MRT train?
- Is there anything interesting about the spaces in
the train that you noticed?
- How is the layout of the train like?
- Lets think about why they are organized in that
way.
- If you have a chance to design the physical space
of an MRT train, how would you do it?
Materials needed:
- Drawing materials
- Drawing blocks
- Empty tissue boxes
- Recyclable or used materials and scraps
- Craft materials, glue and scissors
Activities:
- Divide the children into pairs.
- Each pair will have a piece of drawing block, and
two empty tissue boxes.
- They will design the interior concept of the train
based on how they want it to be or how they think
the design can be improved.
- They can then transfer their design by doing a 3D
model of the train using the empty tissue boxes as
the carriages.
- Let them know that they are free to use all the
resources available to construct their train.
- Upon completion, they will share by describing
and explaining their design.

10. Places and Spaces - Shops

We have been talking about the
interesting spaces in MRT stations and
trains. Today we will discuss about the
shops that we can see at some of the

Possible questions to ask:

- What are some of the shops you can find at the
MRT station?
- Why do you think these shops are located outside
the MRT stations?

MRT stations.

- What do you find in common about these shops?

Activities:
- The children will engage in an open discussion
with the facilitation of the teacher.

List of vocabulary words that are anticipated to emerge from the study:
Depot

Engineer

Maintenance

Equipment

Gantry

Overground

Underground

System

Travellator

Prohibited

Railway

Terminal

Passenger

Escalator

Underpass

Platforms

Passenger Service

Freight

Emergency Stop

Parapet

Commuters

Ticketing Machine Elevator

Tactile Paving

Ticket

Gauge

Logo

Lever

Cabins

Reserved

Coach

Destinations

Fare

Announcement Cargo

Curriculum Bibliography:
Fiction Books
Book:

Rationale for Choice of Book:

Relevance in Singapore:

Learning Goal: MRT trains are a

part of life in Singapore.

The book is based in the local

context of Singapore. It uses
texts and illustrations that are
familiar and relevant for
children who have had
experiences with taking the
MRT in Singapore.

The book follows Timmy and

Tammy who take a ride on the
MRT train with their mother.
Both children describe all that
they see and hear - from the
gantry to the station and to the
1. Timmy and Tammy train.
on the MRT by Ruth
Wan-Lau and Eliz
The book is also part of the Let
Ong
Me Read Series that encourages
young readers to read on their

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Theme:
Common sights and
sounds at the MRT
stations and on the
trains

own with the use of high

frequency sight words, repetition
and predictable story patterns.

Learning Goal: The MRT train

system connects different places
and serves the community daily.

2. Sasha Visits
Singapore by Shamini
Flint and Alpana
Ahuja

This book allows readers to

follow Sasha as she explores the
different landmarks in Singapore
by the MRT train.

This book is based in the local

context of Singapore and it
uses pictures that children
would find familiar and
relevant.

The book is written using simple

sentences and dialogues, with
carefully matched text and
illustrations. The familiar and
Theme:
new themes in the book would
Exploring the landmarks
also introduce vocabulary to
in Singapore by train
young readers.
Learning Goal: The MRT train
system comprises of tools and
equipment that keep it running.

3. Terrific Trains by
Tony Mitton and Ant
Parker
Theme:
Explores different parts
of a train

This book introduces the different

parts of a train, where the train
stops, tunnels it goes through, and
bridges it has to go over.
The book engages its readers with
the use of rhyming words and
word sounds.

Although this book is set in

New York, it is relevant to
readers embarking on this
social studies curriculum as it
explores some of tools and
equipment in trains that are
used commonly throughout
the world.

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Learning Goal: The MRT train

system connects different places
and serves the community daily.

4. Underground
Train by Mary
Quattlebaum
Theme:
Sights and sounds
around the train stations
and trains, both
underground and
aboveground

This book encourages children

to make comparison between
the commuting experience in
Singapore and Washington,
A little girl takes a ride with her
DC - with a focus on the sights
mother on an underground train.
and sounds around the train
The book depicts the journey with stations and trains.
everything that is happening in
the train as it moves underground
as well as aboveground, where
commuters experience the sights
in Washington, DC.
The use of onomatopoeia in the
book creates opportunities for
children to identify and explore
with words that mimic the sounds
of objects or actions it refers to.
Learning Goal: The MRT train
system comprises of many roles
played by people as well as tools
and equipment to keep it running.

5. Peppa Pig: Peppa

and the Big Train by
Ladybird
Theme:
People who work on the
train, familiar sights on
the train, tools and
equipment used in the
train system

The book follows Peppa and her

friends as they take a field trip on
board the train. It introduces the
use of a trip sheet, which children
will find relevant in this study as
they go on their field trips.
The book uses colorful
illustrations and simple
vocabulary to describe the sights
and sounds around the train.
Children can acquire an
understanding of vocabulary
words that are related to the study
of train system.

This book depicts people who

work on the trains as well as
sights that children would find
familiar while on board a train.
Through this book, children
will also learn more about the
tools and equipment used in
train systems in other
countries, for instance, the
signal box.

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Learning Goal: The MRT train

system comprises of many roles
played by people to keep it
running.

6. Steam Train,
Dream, Train by
Sherri Duskey Rinker
and Tom Lichtenheld
Theme:
Story of a fiction train
ride

This book is about a fun and silly

train ride that sparks the
imagination of young readers.
Children will identify the use of
rhyming words throughout the
book. The book invites children to
make predictions of its events
while reading the book or being
read to.
Learning Goal: The MRT train
system comprises of tools and
equipment that keep it running.

7. Little Red Train:

Faster, Faster by
Benedict Blathwayt
Theme:
Train breakdowns, train
drivers, commuters

Trains in other countries can

also transport loads and cargo
whilst the trains in Singapore
transport humans.

The fast train to Pebblecombe has

broken down. Everyone on the
train wants to get to the fair and
enjoy a great day out but now
they are all stuck on the tracks. It
is up to the Little Red Train and
Duffy Driver to save the day. So
the Little Red Train speeds up and
is determined to get all the
passengers to the fair on time.
This story provides opportunities
for children to make predictions
of the events that happen in it.
Children acquire understanding of
vocabulary words that are related
to train breakdowns through
reading the book or when being
read to.

Similar to trains in Singapore,

there would be times when the
train would break down and
require maintenance before it
can get passengers to their
destination.

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Learning Goal: The MRT train

system comprises of many roles
played by people as well as tools
and equipment to keep it running.

8. Trains by Byron
Barton

This book is about the different

types of trains that can be found
in other countries. It takes young
readers on a train journey through
towns, pass workers repairing the
rails, and into the station.

Children in Singapore can

learn more about the different
types of trains that operates in
other countries. They can
explore and compare the train
routes taken in Singapore with
other countries.

Theme:
Different types of trains
that operates in different
Children can use the simple
countries
illustrations to decode and acquire
understanding of unfamiliar
words used in the storys text.
Non-fiction Books
Book:

Rationale for Choice of Book:

Learning Goal: The MRT train

system connects different places
and serves the community daily.
An information book on the
different types of trains in other
cities - subways, elevated
1. All aboard! City
railways, and light rail. The
Trains by Nikki Bruno
book also talks about where the
Clapper
trains go, how they work, and
why people use them.
Theme:
Uses of train, types of
The book uses descriptive text in
train
some of the pages to describe
the picture or scenario in the
book. It is also an informative
book where the descriptions
provide children information of
how the different trains work
and how the people would use
the train.

Relevance in Singapore:

Through this book, children

would be able to learn more
about the types of trains found
in cities apart from Singapore.
The book also suggests the
importance of a train system
where people use it for
different purposes.

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Learning Goal: The MRT train

system connects different places
and serves the community daily.

2. Lets Ride the

Subway! by Elisa
Peters
Theme:
Public Transportation

Children would be able to

compare the differences and
similarities on what is done at
an MRT in Singapore versus
A step-by-step information book what the trains / subways in
on what you would do when you other cities around the world
take the subway - from looking
are like.
at the map to paying at the
turnstile or gantry, to waiting at
the platform and subsequently
getting onto the subway. The
book also features subways
across different countries.
The book is easy to read with
about two sentences on every
alternate page, accompanied
with a photograph. The real-life
visuals support the learning and
understanding of the processes
at a train station, and those from
other cities.
Learning Goal: The MRT train
system comprises of tools and
equipment that keep it running.
The book introduces children to
different types of trains - steam
trains, diesel trains, modern day
passenger trains. It also looks at
rail networks and underground
trains.

3. Trains by Emily
Bone and Christyan
Fox
Theme:
Different types of trains

The book uses illustrations and

real-life photographs which
matches the descriptive texts in
providing information on train
systems from the past till today
as well as across countries.

The book encourages readers to

find out more about the
different types of trains across
the world, including one that is
close to home - Malaysia. The
book also provides detailed
information on trains found in
the past.
A discussion on trains that
could possibly be appropriate to
run in Singapore can be
conducted with children.

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Learning Goal: The MRT train

system comprises of many roles
played by people to keep it
running.

The book would allow children

to compare what they know
about the jobs of train drivers
and train conductors in
Singapore and across the world.

This interactive book introduces

the jobs of train drivers and train
conductors to children, with
factual information and
4. Train Driver by Liz instructional activities for
Gogerly
children to carry out.
Theme:
Train drivers and train
conductors

The author uses sub-headings on

the area that she will be writing
about, and added in real-life
pictures of children and train
drivers.
Learning Goal: The MRT train
system comprises of tools and
equipment that keep it running.

5. See Inside Trains

by Emily Bone and
Colin King
Theme:
Types of trains

This is an interactive lift the flap

book where children can explore
all kinds of exciting trains, from
a luxury steam train fit for a
queen to super-fast trains that
run on magnets, trains that can
climb up mountains, and lots
more.
Children will acquire
understanding of vocabulary
words that are used to describe
the functions of different types
of trains.

Children would be able to

know about the different types
of trains in the world.

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Learning Goal: The MRT train

system comprises of tools and
equipment that keep it running.

6. Locomotive by
Brian Floca
Theme:
Locomotive systems of
the past

This informative book uses a

variety of onomatopoeia to
describe the sounds made by the
train as it moves. It also shows
what the engineers do to
maintain the train and enable its
smooth functioning.
This book invites children to
identify and explore with
onomatopoeia. Children acquire
understanding of vocabulary
words that describe the way
trains move. The use of
repetitive text in telling the story
encourages children to make
predictions as they read or are
being read to.
Learning Goal: The MRT train
system comprises of tools and
equipment that keep it running.

7. All Aboard Trains

by Mary Harding,
Richard Courtney
Theme:
Facts of different trains

This book will invites children

to compare trains that functions
in the past with the MRT trains
in Singapore.

This informative book informs

children about the different
types of train - freight, superspeed, and passenger trains, with
the use of almost realistic
illustrations and easy-to-read
facts.
Children will acquire
understanding of factual terms
used to describe the different
types of trains.

Children can compare the

functions and appearances of
the trains shown in this book
and the MRT trains in
Singapore.

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Learning Goal: The MRT train

system connects different places
and serves the community daily.

8. Trains by Amy
Shields
Theme:
Different kinds of trains
from different countries

An informative book for

children to learn about the
different kinds of trains, such as
the old-timey steam engines,
super-speeder and the freight
trains. Each page in this book
has a photo of the trains, their
history and how they work.
Children will be able to relearn
familiar vocabulary words on
trains and acquire understanding
of unfamiliar vocabulary words
within the book.

Children would be able to learn

about the different types of
trains available in different
countries.

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References
Jablon, J. R. (1992). Integrated curriculum for four- through eight-year-olds. In A. Mitchell,
& J. David (Eds.), Explorations with young children: A curriculum guide from the
bank street college of education (pp. 145-159). Lewisville, NC: Gryphon House.
Ministry of Education. (2012). Nurturing early learners: A curriculum framework for
kindergartens in Singapore. Singapore: Neu Print.
Ministry of Transport. (2015). Fact sheet - public transport improvements and future plans.
Retrieved from http://www.mot.gov.sg/News-Centre/News/2015/Fact-Sheet---PublicTransport-Improvements-and-Future-Plans/
Sincero, S. M. (2012). Ecological systems theory. Retrieved from
https://explorable.com/ecological-systems-theory