This feature was first published in Journeys Winter 2018.

This article was written by Alicia Angle.

Each spring, first graders from Singapore American School catch a glimpse into the lives of first graders that attend local primary schools. 

For the past five years, students from SAS and Fuchun Primary School have been working together and learning from each other. Teachers from both schools collaborate to create learning experiences through weekly buddy visits. 

Students start by getting to know each other and create posters about their new buddy. At Fuchun Primary School, SAS students learn traditional crafts
like thooranam folding (Tamil hanging decoration), hóngbāo or âng-pau (Chinese red envelopes), and bunga manggar (a Malay wedding decoration). Students also play some traditional Singaporean games like eraser battles, pick-up sticks, and chapteh. 

At SAS, the students collaborate to write ABC books. Last year in our science unit, students were studying how plants and animals grow and survive. So, they made ABC books all about animals. Students wrote and illustrated their page with their buddies. Together, Fuchun Primary and SAS students donated the books to Fei Yue Family Service Centre (Champion’s Way) in Woodlands. 

Students also conducted a diaper drive and donated boxes of diapers to Fei Yue Family Service Centre. In the end, students are proud of their beautifully published books and are pleased that another child will get to read their book. 

Making a personal connection with other people in the Woodlands community is a wonderful experience and we enjoy seeing our Fuchun friends around the neighborhood!