1
The Five Ks
Aim
To explore the function of a uniform.
To help children to understand the 5Ks as the Sikh uniform of
faith.
Preparation
Before the lesson obtain actual examples of one or more of the 5Ks.
Lesson
Begin lesson by informing the children that everyone in the world belongs to a group. Explain that you belong to the adult/teacher group, whereas they belong to the child/pupil group.
To which other groups do they belong? Ask different groups to stand, for example the girl group, the boy group, the group wearing a certain colour, the group of a certain age. You may explore sub-groups too, for example, six year old girls wearing blue whose names begin with L.
To conclude the game, bring them back to the group which embraces them all - the (name of your school) group.
If the children wear school uniform, ask them how other people know that they belong to the (name of your school) group? If the children don't wear school uniform, refer to a nearby school where the children do?
Discuss uniforms. Why do people wear them? What do they think of their school uniform? What type of uniform would they like to wear?
Play 'What's my line?', a game in which you mime out different professions and children have to guess what they are. All the professions you present should be uniformed.
The children should be helped to understand that uniforms are a way of telling others about oneself. Uniforms are not always clothes. A wedding ring could be thought of as a sort of uniform. What does it tell others about the person wearing it?
Inform the children that there is a group of people called Sikhs. The men in this group wear a uniform. There are five parts to it. Show and briefly explain one aspect of the meaning of each of the 5Ks.
- Kesh (uncut hair)
- shows that a Sikh is obedient to God.
- Kangha (comb worn in the hair)
- same meaning as for Kesh.
- Kirpan (sword)
- shows that a Sikh is willing to fight for God and for the poor.
- Kaccha (fighting shorts)
- same meaning as for Kirpan.
- Kara (bracelet)
- shows a Sikh's love for God.
Conclusion
Conclude lesson by inviting children to draw / write about themselves in a uniform (maybe one of their own design) or the 5Ks.
Notes
Teachers wishing to invite a Sikh visitor to school should contact:
Sikh Educational Advisory Services
9 Woodland Grove, Leeds, LS7 4HJ
Telephone: 0113-260 2484
The Gurdwara and Langar
'The gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, is open to all worshippers; anyone and everyone can come in to pray. Regardless of social status, everyone sits on the floor. There are no assigned places or reserved seats. Men and women are given equal position.
Each gurdwara contains a langar or open kitchen. The food is served as an expression of the Sikh principle of the commonness and equality of all humanity. Here men and women of all classes and colours are jointly engaged in preparing and serving to those of equally mixed background, seated and eating in common assembly'.
Kawaljit Kaur Singh, chair of the British Sikh Education Council.
