Author:
Harman Singh
Subject:
Character Education, Elementary Education, Literature
Material Type:
Reading, Reference Material
Level:
Lower Primary
Provider:
The Sikh Coalition
Tags:
  • Determination
  • Marathon
  • Obstacles
  • Religion
  • Resources from Sikh Coalition
  • Sikh
  • Sikhism
  • Turban
  • resources-from-sikh-coalition
  • License:
    Educational Use Permitted
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Graphics/Photos

    Education Standards

    Fauja Singh Keeps Going -- Discussion Guide

    Fauja Singh Keeps Going -- Discussion Guide

    Overview

    • The true story of Fauja Singh, who broke world records to become the first one hundred-year-old to run a marathon, shares valuable lessons on the source of his grit, determination to overcome obstacles, and commitment to positive representation of the Sikh community.

    ---------------

    Authors: Simran Jeet Singh (Penguin Random House) & The Sikh Coalition

    ---------------

    This video component with the author can provide additional context.

    Student handout for the Discussion Guide

    If you are remixing the Google Doc version of the resource, please be sure to also remix this resource on WISELearn so that your remix can be shared with the community.

    Educator’s Guide for FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING

    by Simran Jeet Singh

    Illustrated by Baljinder Kaur

     

    This Educator’s Guide has been created for Grades 3-6 but can be adapted as required depending on student ability. Alignment to common core standards has been included where applicable.

    PRE-READING FOR EDUCATORS


     

    It would be impossible to tell a story of the oldest person to ever run a marathon without touching on themes of inspiration, persistence, and hard work. These lessons are foundational to Fauja Singh’s life- story.

    Fauja Singh was born in Punjab, a region in South Asia that, during his own lifetime, was partitioned to create the nation-states of Pakistan and India. Punjab has its own distinct cultural identity,

    including its own language (Punjabi), fashion, and music. Punjab is also the birthplace of the world’s fifth largest religion, Sikhism, which helped shape Fauja Singh’s life and worldview. The illustrator and I are both of Punjabi-Sikh descent, and we have sought to pres- ent the richness of Punjabi culture and Sikh teachings with authenticity.

    The real force of Fauja Singh’s story is not just what he achieved, but also the grace and for- titude with which he dealt with life’s challenges along the way. Fauja’s 100 years of life intersect with various aspects of identity that we don’t often associate with our heroes: disability, old age, immigration, turbans. I have learned through my own life experiences that if we can help our kids see the humanity in those who seem most different from themselves, then they can learn to see the humanity in everyone they meet, including themselves.

    This is what excites me most about this picture book. Yes, I am grateful that this will be the first-ever picture book from a major publisher to center a Sikh story. But more than that, I sincerely believe that stories like these are critical for enhancing how our kids think of inclusion and belong- ing. Fauja Singh’s life experience lends itself powerfully to ideas of intersectionality and equity in ways that can be instructive for children and adults alike. I’m hopeful that this book will open up hearts and minds, and I’m also hopeful that it will help open up conversations around what it truly means to live alongside one another while honoring and respecting our differences.



     

    UNDERSTANDING WORDS AND MEANINGS CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.4

    This glossary of Punjabi words from the story can help students understand meanings. Hyper- linked words connect to a voice note that can be used to aid pronunciation:

     

    Banyan Tree: Type of fig tree that often serves as the center of village life in South Asian cultures.

    Fauja Singh:

    Fauja: Warrior

    Singh: A royal name given to all Sikh men to denote sovereignty and equality

    Kaur: A royal name given to all Sikh women to denote sovereignty and equality

    Daal: Lentil soup

    Roti: Chapati, a type of flatbread common to Punjabi cuisine

    Sikh: A follower of Sikhism, the world’s fifth largest religion

    Parshad: A sweet, pudding-like food made of sugar, flour, butter and water that is served at a Gurdwara (Sikh house of worship)

     

    UNDERSTANDING ILLUSTRATIONS

    These descriptions can be used to help students understand illustrations from the story. Aspects of Sikhism illustrated in the book:

    Kes: Uncut hair. Can be seen in the illustrations being combed, tied up in a bun, or braided.

    Head coverings:

    Dastaar: Sikh turban

    Patka: Smaller turban worn by younger Sikhs

    Chunni: Scarf, typically worn by women

    Kara: Steel bangle Kirpan: Small sword Kanga: Wooden comb

    Guru Granth Sahib: Sikh scripture and eternal Guru. Compiled by the Sikh Gurus and containing devotional songs and poetry.

    Guru Nanak: Founder of the Sikh religion. Lived from 1469-1539 CE.

    Darbar Sahib: Gurdwara in Amritsar, Punjab, also known as the Golden Temple and Harimandir Sahib. One of the most religiously, historically and politically significant of Sikh sites.

    Extension activity: The Kes, Dastaar, Patka, Kara, Kirpan and Kanga are some of the Sikh articles of faith. If you would like to explore Sikhism, the Sikh identity and the Sikh articles of faith in greater detail, use this C3 Inquiry on Cultural Diversity from the C3 Teachers website, ‘What do the things I wear say about me?’

    PRE-READING ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

    Objective: To expand simplistic conceptions of identity by exploring diverse identities and our multiple ways of belonging.

     

    Method: Help students observe shared characteristics with those who seem different from them- selves and to see different characteristics with those who seem similar.

     

    Use the discussion questions in blue to facilitate conversations about culture, identity and stereo- typing.

     

    Draw a picture of your own family.

    1. How is the picture of your family similar to the picture of Fauja Singh’s family?

    2. How are your families different from one another?

     

    Draw a picture of what you think an athlete looks like.

    1. What are the similarities and differences between the picture you drew of an athlete, and the illustrations of Fauja Singh in the book?

    2. What can we learn about someone based on their outward or visual appearance?

    3. Do you think there is a connection between what we see on the outside, and other aspects of someone’s identity on the inside?

     

    DISCUSSION QUESTIONS DURING READING

    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3,

    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3.

     

    1. What is this story about?

    2. What are the key events that happen in the story?

    3. What are the overarching themes in this story?



     

    Characters

    • Who are the main characters in this story?

    • How do other characters support Fauja Singh?

    • What can you tell about Fauja Singh by his outward appearance? 

    • What are some of Fauja Singh’s inner character traits that reveal themselves in the story? 

     

    Setting CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3

    What are the different locations where this story takes place?




    Discussion questions:

    • What differences do you notice in the illustrations between Punjab and England? (e.g., food, dress, climate)

    • What does immigrant mean?

    • What are some reasons that people immigrate?

    • What challenges did Fauja Singh face after moving to a new country?

    « How did these challenges make Fauja Singh feel?

    « How did Fauja Singh deal with these challenges?

    • Have you ever moved to another place?

    « How did that make you feel?

    « How did you find a sense of belonging?

     

    Extension ideas: Fauja Singh’s journey can be used to introduce topics such as the immigration stories of South Asians, colonialism, and the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. 

     

    AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES

    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1

     

    Activity 1: Life-mapping and goal-setting.

     

    Fauja Singh’s story is inspirational. He overcame obstacles, set goals, and reached them through many stages of his life.

     

    Discussion questions:

    • What are some challenges that Fauja Singh dealt with in his life?

     

    • What did you notice about how he met these challenges?

     

    • What are some goals that Fauja Singh achieved?


     

    RUN YOUR RACE

    Use the following worksheet to identify what you want to accomplish in life and what goals you can set to get there.

    START






    FINISH LINE

     

     

    ACTIVATING YOUR VALUES COMPASS

    Discussion questions:

    • What are values?

    • What were the values that Fauja Singh drew upon in the story to achieve his goals?

    • Think of someone you admire in your life. What are their values?

    « Create a Venn diagram using their values and the values of Fauja Singh you observed in this book.

    • The compass below depicts values highlighted in the story. Which of these would you like to embody in your life?

    • Imagine that someone yells racist words at you like they did to Fauja Singh. How would you use one of your values to guide your response?

     

    VALUES COMPASS

    Reflection exercise CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2

    Write a reflection on how the story of Fauja Singh inspires you in your life.

    • Teachers can encourage students to use their life map and values compass to guide them.

    • Extension idea: This activity can be extended as a written essay.






    This discussion guide was created in collaboration with the Sikh Coalition, the nation’s largest Sikh civil rights organization, which leads efforts to promote accurate Sikh awareness and prevent bullying in our nation’s public schools. Email: education@sikhcoalition.org