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OECS Curriculum

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Curriculum Framework is designed to provide a comprehensive, student-centered approach to education across member states.

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Morne Fortune

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Castries, Saint Lucia

Email: pearl@oecs.int

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    Strand 1: Historical and Cultural Thinking

    This strand explores the diversity of the world's population as a strength, examining the end of slavery in the Caribbean, East Indian contributions to Caribbean culture, how regional arts and sports foster Caribbean interactions, and migration patterns that have shaped Caribbean society. Students develop understanding of how cultural exchanges shape identity.

    Essential Learning Outcome

    To understand the diversity of the world's population is its strength.

    Unit 1: Slavery in the Caribbean

    Students explore how slavery came to an end in the Caribbean, examining the groups that worked to end slavery, major milestones in the abolition movement, and the contributions of enslaved peoples to their own emancipation.

    Grade Level Expectations:
    • Identify groups of people that worked to bring about the end of slavery (enslaved Africans, European abolitionists)
    • Build a timeline of major milestones in the ending of slavery
    • Appreciate the contribution of enslaved people to the ending of slavery
    Focus Questions:
    • How did slavery come to an end?
    • Who were the key figures in the abolition movement?
    • What role did enslaved people play in their own emancipation?

    Specific Curriculum Outcomes

    Knowledge, Skills, and Values outcomes with codes

    Learning Strategies

    Suggested activities and teaching approaches

    Additional Resources and Materials

    Digital Resources

    • History Hit: How Did Slavery End?
    • BBC: Modern Slavery Explained
    • Wordwall Interactive Games
    • Indian Arrival Day videos on YouTube
    • Indentured journey documentaries
    • Picker Wheel and Wheel Spinner for activities
    • Migration Data Portal for statistics

    Physical Materials

    • Maps showing migration routes (India to Caribbean, Caribbean to world)
    • Timeline templates for abolition milestones
    • Biography graphic organizers
    • Primary source documents on indentured servitude
    • Images of Caribbean cultural events and festivals
    • Push/Pull factor sorting cards
    • Art supplies for cultural projects

    Teacher Content Knowledge

    Abolition of Slavery: Emancipation resulted from efforts of both enslaved Africans and European abolitionists. The Abolition Act was passed in 1833, with full emancipation on August 1, 1838. Key figures include William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, and countless enslaved people who resisted.

    East Indian Migration: After slavery ended, plantation owners needed labor. East Indians came as indentured servants, traveling across the Indian Ocean around Africa to Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada. They brought Hinduism, Islam, festivals like Diwali and Eid, foods like roti and doubles, and chutney music.

    Regional Arts & Sports: Sports include West Indies Cricket, CARIFTA Games, and CONCACAF football. Cultural events include Carnival, Carifesta, and regional beauty pageants. Music festivals feature Soca Monarch and Jazz Festivals. Influential figures: Bob Marley, Rihanna, Brian Lara, Kirani James.

    Migration: Push factors include conflicts, poverty, job loss, and lack of education. Pull factors include job opportunities, education, healthcare, and resources. Destinations include other Caribbean islands, Europe, New Zealand, Asia, Canada, Americas, and Africa. Impacts include brain drain, broken families, and cultural changes.

    Subject Integration Opportunities

    • Language Arts: Journaling, narrative writing, vocabulary development, oral presentations
    • Science/Technology: Digital tools for research, mapping software, interactive timelines
    • Mathematics: Calculating immigration numbers, creating graphs and charts, timeline calculations
    • Visual Arts: Creating collages, mock passports, cultural heritage projects, poster design
    • Music: Exploring Caribbean music traditions, analyzing regional songs and their messages

    Explore Activities

    Engaging historical and cultural activities for understanding Caribbean heritage

    Engage students with interactive activities covering slavery and emancipation, East Indian Caribbean cultures, arts and sports, and migration patterns. Each activity promotes cultural appreciation and historical understanding.

    Activity Categories:

    • • Slavery & Abolition Timeline
    • • East Indian Culture Exploration
    • • Arts & Sports Regional Unity
    • • Migration Patterns Analysis

    Learning Approaches:

    • • Picture/video inferencing
    • • Story mapping and timelines
    • • Press conferences and role-play
    • • Music analysis and biography research