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5-Minute Chinese Classics
Preamble
Our goal in this project is to nurture young people with high moral values. The project aims to enhance students’ understanding of Chinese traditional culture and cultivate their character through daily practices of the quotations, together with a wide range of meaningful activities. 1,000 quotations have been selected from a vast array of Chinese Classics, including the Three-Character Classic, Standards for Students and Aphorisms from the Ancient Chinese, as well as texts from the teachings of Confucius, Mencius, the ancient philosophers and from many classic Chinese works. The quotations are all presented bilingually and classified according to the 12 virtues, namely Diligence, Frugality, Humility, Faithfulness, Love, Justice, Respect, Sincerity, Wisdom, Loyalty, Harmony and Courage, to allow both international and local teachers to explore them together with students.
General Objectives
To provide opportunities for each Yew Chung and Yew Wah student to engage with Chinese classics on a daily basis through a variety of activities and learning opportunities. To guide students to understand Chinese culture, appreciate its deeper meaning and enhance their character and cultural literacy through the understanding, recitation, repeated exposure to and internalisation of classical quotations. To strengthen students’ affection and aspirations for the homeland and their sense of social responsibility through comparisons with Western culture. To enable each Yew Chung and Yew Wah students to have the willingness promote and ability to Chinese culture to the world. To use English translations of classic quotes as a medium for in-depth collaboration between Chinese and Western teachers. Such collaboration provides opportunities for students to understand the classic quotes from multiple perspectives and at different levels. Understanding these different cultural perspectives can provoke in-depth reflection, enhance intercultural interaction, achieve the widespread transmission of culture and promote the prosperous coexistence of world cultures.
Principles of Materials Selection and Adaptation
Representing core traditional Chinese thought. Developing positive values and stimulating thinking. Reflecting the requirements of the times, building on past achievements and launching a new journey. In accordance with the age and cognitive ability of students, and promoting application in daily life.
Methods and Principles of Categorization
1. Multiple reviewers have been involved in the process of categorizing the quotes under the definitions of the 12 Virtues (download the definitions of the 12 Virtues);
2. Reviewers have categorized the quotes by first considering their stand-alone meaning; and where necessary, by further referring to the meaning conveyed by the contexts. 3. Where there are multiple possible interpretations of the quotes, reviewers have gone through a process of re-categorization through moderation, the principles of which are as follows: - When the author of the quote cites someone else’s remarks, reviewers have taken into account both the original speaker of the remarks and the author. - When the author of the quote gives an account of someone else’s behaviour, reviewers have considered the meaning of both the person who displays the behaviour and the author. 4. Quotes which contain the following themes are categorized as follows: - Quotes which depict landscapes and scenery are categorized under “Harmony”. - Quotes which are associated with the Doctrine of the Mean are categorized under “Harmony”. - Quotes which are associated with Non-Action are categorized under “Wisdom” and “Harmony”. - Quotes which are associated with Correction and Self-reflection are categorized under “Wisdom” and “Righteousness”. - Quotes which convey the meaning of lamenting one’s own frustration in life are categorized under “Love”.
User's Feedback
1. Suggestions for new categorization:
A platform for feedback and suggestions for categorization from users is in place on the YCYW Learning Portal.
2. Recommendations for new quotes (Click this form):
The new quotes recommended should be in accordance with the 12 Virtues and the selection principles. Suggestions for categorization in terms of the 12 Virtues and learning stages, and rationale behind the suggestions should be provided.
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