Reception Celebrations
Festivals of Light

Reflect on the symbolism of light; learn about significant festivals of light such as Hannukah, Diwali and Eid-ul-Fitr. Make Menorahs, Diva lamps, Eid cards and create a fabulous firework light dance to finish the block with a bang.

Session 1 Hanukkah

Objectives

Early learning goals

  • Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
  • Represent ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role play and stories.
  • Listen attentively in a range of situations.
  • Listen to stories, accurately anticipating key events, and respond to what is heard with relevant comments, questions or actions.
  • Know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.

Lesson Planning

Investigate mystery objects, light an oil lamp, listen to the story of Hanukkah and make potato latkes!

Children will:

  • Know the story of Hanukkah.
  • Consolidate their learning about Hanukkah by taking part in child-initiated activities
  • Through discussion/observation find out about Judaism & Hanukkah.
  • Accept that people have different faiths/beliefs and that should be respected.

Provided Resources

  • Mystery photograph
  • The Hanukkah Story
  • How to make traditional Hanukkah potato Latkes
  • How to make a playdough Menorah
  • Star of David craft ideas
  • Firework craft ideas
  • Hanukkah, Diwali and Eid song words

You Will Need

  • Jewish artefacts

Session 2 Diwali

Objectives

Early learning goals

  • Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
  • Represent ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.
  • Listen attentively in a range of situations.
  • Listen to stories, accurately anticipating key events, and respond to what is heard with relevant comments, questions or actions.
  • Lnow about similarities and differences between others, and among families, communities and traditions.

Lesson Planning

Learn about Rama and Sita by singing `There was a Princess Long Ago´ and act out the story. Make Rangoli patterns with coloured salt and create beautiful Diva lights.

Children will:

  • Retell the story of Rama and Sita & participate in role play.
  • Consolidate their learning about Diwali by taking part in child-initiated activities
  • Acknowledge and respect the traditions of Diwali.

Provided Resources

  • Rama and Sita song words and role-play ideas
  • The story of Diwali
  • How to make Rangoli patterns
  • How to make Diva Lights
  • Hanukkah, Diwali and Eid song words

You Will Need

  • Costumes to act out the Rama and Sita story
  • A real Diva light
  • For 'firework sparkles' see 'firework handprints' resource from session 1
  • Role play masks

Session 3 Eid-ul-Fitr

Objectives

Early learning goals

  • Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
  • Represent ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.
  • Listen attentively in a range of situations.
  • Listen to stories, accurately anticipating key events, and respond to what is heard with relevant comments, questions or actions.
  • Know about similarities and differences between others, and among families, communities and traditions.

Lesson Planning

Sit on an imaginary prayer mat and face Mecca. Learn about being a Muslim, Ramadan and the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Children will:

  • Know the story of Muhammad.
  • Consolidate their learning about Eid-ul-Fitr by taking part in child-initiated activities.
  • Find out about, and respect the practices of Islam.
  • Learn about and respect the traditions of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Provided Resources

  • Prayer mat image
  • About Mehndi
  • Play dough fireworks
  • Fireworks - more craft ideas
  • About Muhammad
  • Hanukkah, Diwali and Eid song words

You Will Need

  • A copy of the Qur'an: as Muslims would be required to perform ritual bathing before handling the Qur`an, you may want to examine the book online at the weblink referred to.

Session 4 Firework and light dance

Objectives

Early learning goals

  • safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
  • Represent ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role play and stories.
  • Listen attentively in a range of situations.
  • Listen to stories, accurately anticipating key events, and respond to what is heard with relevant comments, questions or actions.
  • Know about similarities and differences between others, and among families, communities and traditions.
  • Show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements.

Lesson Planning

Finish the block with a bang by creating an explosive firework dance. Listen to a firework poem and become Rockets and Catherine wheels twirling and whirling in the sky.

Children will:

  • Represent their own ideas in a creative firework& light dance.
  • Consolidate learning about the celebrations Diwali, Eid and Hanukkah.
  • Develop tolerance and respect for people that have different religions.

Provided Resources

  • Firework poem
  • Hanukkah, Diwali and Eid song words

You Will Need

  • Musical instruments
  • Art from sessions 1 and 2