Culture, Music and Learning at the Integrated Islamic School of Shah Alam
As part of our placement at Little Caliphs Excellent Centre and Integrated Islamic School of Shah Alam, our learners spent an engaging and inspiring day with the older children in the school, experiencing a rich blend of culture, creativity and education.
The day began with a warm and energetic welcome from the students, who greeted us with a musical session that immediately brought everyone together. Our learners were invited to join in with drumming activities, creating a fun and interactive introduction to the day.
Music proved to be a universal language, allowing learners and students to connect, communicate and share a memorable experience despite coming from different backgrounds and cultures.
Taking Part in a Quran Mass Hafazan Session
We were also invited to participate in a Quran Mass Hafazan Session, where we supported the children in creating their own elephant-themed craft activity.
Through this activity, the children learned about the significance of the elephant as an important symbol in Islamic history and tradition. Our learners worked alongside the children, offering support and encouragement while gaining a deeper understanding of how faith and culture are incorporated into everyday learning within the school.
It was a valuable opportunity to observe a different educational environment and appreciate how cultural and religious learning can be integrated into classroom activities.
Learning Traditional Music Together
One of the highlights of the day was joining a music lesson where we were introduced to the Angklung, a traditional bamboo instrument widely used across Southeast Asia.
Working together with the children, our learners quickly learned how to play the instrument and, through teamwork and coordination, managed to perform a recognisable tune. The session was filled with laughter, concentration and a shared sense of achievement as everyone worked together to create music.
Experiences like this provide a unique insight into local traditions while helping learners develop confidence, communication skills and cultural awareness.
Supporting ICT and Art Lessons
The learning continued throughout the day as our learners joined both ICT and art lessons.
In the ICT classroom, they supported students as they developed their understanding of coding concepts and computer skills. This allowed our learners to put their own knowledge into practice while helping younger students build confidence using technology.
During art lessons, they worked alongside the children as they explored creative techniques for drawing flowers, encouraging imagination, patience and attention to detail. These activities highlighted the similarities between classrooms around the world, where creativity, curiosity and problem-solving are valued skills.
