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Curriculum

Classes

Each year students are enrolled in our Divaan Class (Sikhi experiential learning), Gurmat Class and Gurmukhi. Students are kept together by the grade they are enrolled in their traditional school.  We prioritize social grouping of the same grade so that they may form bonds with same-aged peers, rather than split them up based on their Sikhi or Gurmukhi proficiency level.  Within each class however, we have a system where by which students are split according to their proficiency level within their grade.  At the beginning of the school year, our teachers perform an assessment to determine each child's level of advancement and then assign a teacher within their grade, to teach them accordingly

 

Our 11th and 12th graders (Senior High Schoolers) are our Upper Classmen/Classwomen. While we expect them to participate in our Divaan and Gurmukhi (Santhiyaa for those who can already read), we pull them onto a separate track that involves the following: 

  •  Gurbani self-interpretation

  • Self-analysis of why they want to walk the path of Sikhi

  • Create bonds with younger students to assist in preparing them to face outside threats, such as how to respond to someone who tells them to "Go back home to your country" or "You don't belong here" or "What's that on your head"

  • Seva oriented activity, such as being a teaching assistant in Gurmukhi or Gurmat classes for younger students

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ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ (Gurmukhi)

  • Teaching our children how to read from Guru Granth Sahib is a necessary method for them to connect to the Guru's Bani. 

  • Gurmukhi will be taught through traditional methods but will also directly engage with one of the core tenets of SAGE, i.e. to connect to the Guru's Bani

  • Our goal is to get each student to be able to read from Guru Granth Sahib and to recite Hukamnama in our Divaan by Middle School..

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ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ (Sarbat
Da Bhalaa)

  • We feel it is critical that our children understand the concept of Sarbat Da Bala, which translates to "For the benefit of all". In Sikhi, our daily prayer contains this line asking, not only for the blessing of Naam (self-realization, awareness of Vahiguru), but for the well being of the entire human race. The Sikhs' Tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh writes, ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ (Maanas kee jaat sabai ekai pahchaanabo) or recognize the entire humankind as one family. 

  • This concept should translate into the understanding and awareness of the plight of other people from all backgrounds on our planet, not just those of the Sikh faith. ​

  • We explore the stories of freedom fighters from history who stood against injustice.

  • Teaching activism to students is challenging, but we hope that by sharing examples of those who resisted oppression—both within Sikhi and beyond—we inspire them to recognize and act against injustice wherever it arises.

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ਗੁਰਮਤ (Gurmat)

  • Our goal is not to reinforce dates or test the recall of specific events. Our goal is to inspire children to want to walk on the Guru's Path, with their heads held high.

  • By relating the Gurus' stories and supporting these with Gurbani, we seek to connect our rich history to the Gurus' wisdom. Stories that relate the tales of sacrifice, courage, compassion and humility, instill in children what their ancestors stood for and display how great their sacrifice was. By using Gurbani to reinforce these sakhees, our hope is to bring kids closer to their Guru by remembering the path forged by those before us. 

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ਦਿਵਾਨ (Divaan)

  • It is our approach that the Sikh path cannot be illuminated by classroom work alone.

  • In order to feel the Guru's Bani, it must be sung in Sangat and kids must experience that amongst themselves.

  • Once students arrive at school, they begin their day in their own Divaan area, where the children lead their Sangat in all aspects of Gurudwara protocol.

  • They all have the opportunity to interact with their Guru, experience their Guru and develop a personal relationship with their Guru. Inspiring them to converse with the Guru is the goal. We try and connect them to Guru Sahib using the following techniques:

  • Gurbani word of the week​

  • Gurbani line of the month

  • Naam Simran

  • Gurbani recitation

  • Gurbani related topic discussions

Other Activities

  • Children are engaged in public speaking throughout the course of the year, where they will present their thoughts to the Sangat, on a topic relevant to Sikhi.

  • They will be asked to submit written or video essays on given topics each semester, where they will be assessed for quality and inspiration.

  • They will participate in Anti-Bullying Coaching during the school year

  • The children are expected to participate in service oriented activities that directly interact and engage with those of an underprivileged community.

  • Many families lead ​comfortable lives, without struggle. However there are countless people in nearby communities that are not so fortunate and each month have to decide between paying their electricity bill and putting food on the table for their family. As members of the Sikh faith who seek to live up to and embody the concept of Sarbat Da Bala, it is our duty to help those in need.

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