Let's Celebrate: Festivals

FestivalsLearning for Life and Work (SLD)

Let’s Celebrate:Thematic Unit

Writers’ Group

Mary McKendry, Castle Tower School (Beechgrove Campus), Ballymena (Editor)Catherine Foster, Fleming Fulton School, BelfastMaggie Jamison, Glenveagh School, BelfastCathy McCormick, Tor Bank School, Dundonald Dorothea Simpson, Fleming Fulton School, Belfast

A CCEA Publication ©2009

www.nicurriculum.org.uk

Cover Photograph: Getty Images - Asia Images Group

1 Let’s Celebrate Thematic Unit Festivals

Unit Title: Let’s CelebrateSub Theme: Festivals

Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities: Self-Management

Curriculum Objective: To develop the young person as a contributor to society

Key Elements: Personal understanding, mutual understanding, moral character, spiritual awareness, citizenship, cultural understanding, employability, education for sustainable development

Attitudes and Dispositions: Personal responsibility, concern for others, commitment/determination/resourcefulness, openness to new ideas, self-belief/optimism/pragmatism, curiosity, community spirit, flexibility, tolerance, integrity/moral courage, respect

Learning Experiences: Investigating and problem-solving, linked to other curriculum areas, relevant and enjoyable, media-rich, skills-integrated, active and hands-on, offers choice, challenging and engaging, supportive environment, culturally diverse, positive reinforcement, varied to suit learning style, ongoing reflection, enquiry-based

The Thematic Units connect the Learning for Life and Work subject strands of Personal Development, Local and Global Citizenship, Home Economics and Employability and demonstrate how they contribute to the understanding of a central theme. They provide a number of learning, teaching and assessment activities (and are accompanied by supporting resources) to help you address, interpret and develop the Northern Ireland Curriculum’s key elements and Statements of Minimum Requirement.

Each Thematic Unit contributes to the statutory requirement for Learning for Life and Work and also links to other Areas of Learning. In addition, there are opportunities to develop learners’ Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities, incorporate Assessment for Learning principles and make connections to the Cross Curricular Skills.

The units are not intended to be prescriptive and are not the only way to approach the Northern Ireland Curriculum. You do not have to follow them rigidly. Instead, we encourage you to choose from the wide range of learning, teaching and assessment activities in the units and adapt and extend them as appropriate for your classes.

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Let’s Celebrate Thematic Unit Festivals

Statements of Minimum Requirement

These are the Statements of Minimum Requirement that are addressed in this unit:

Home EconomicsHealthy EatingDevelop practical skills in the safe, hygienic, healthy and creative use of foods to plan, prepare, cook and serve a range of meals

Local and Global CitizenshipDiversity and InclusionInvestigate ways in which individuals and groups express their identity

Local and Global CitizenshipDemocracy and Active ParticipationInvestigate the basic characteristics of democracy

Local and Global CitizenshipDiversity and InclusionInvestigate factors, including religious and political, that influence individual and group identity

Local and Global CitizenshipDemocracy and Active ParticipationInvestigate various ways to participate in school and society


Focus, sustain attention and persist with tasks

Using ICT -Research, select, process and interpret information

Key Question Learning IntentionLearners will have opportunities to …

Possible Learning, Teaching and Assessment Activities Skills and Capabilities

What is a festival? ... investigate the concept of celebration.

Show a collection of video clips of celebrations, such as home movies or extractsfrom television programmes.

Ask the following focused questions:− What is the same in each clip?− What is different?− Why are the people celebrating?− How do the people feel?− How often do we celebrate?− How do we feel when there is a celebration?

Discuss the different celebrations in Resource 1 and how best to categorise them.

Resource 1: Types Of Celebration

• Video clips of different celebrations

Resource Sheet in this booklet

Online Activity (OA) or PowerPoint Activity (PP) available from www.nicurriculum.org.uk

Skills tabs printed in orange are Cross Curricular Skills

Skills tabs printed in yellow are Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities

Communication -Contribute comments and ask questions

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Review learning and some aspects that might be improved

Organise and plan how to go about a task

Communication -Structure talk so that ideas can be understood by others

Using ICT -Access and manage information



How do families celebrate?

... be able to make choices and decisions.

Using Resources 2 and 3, together discuss methods that the learners could use toinvestigate family celebrations such as birthdays, religious events, weddings,achievements and new babies.

Resource 2: How Do We Celebrate?

Resource 3: What’s The Celebration?

Encourage the learners to bring in photos, videos and/or cards from recent familycelebrations. Hold a ‘show and tell’ day, giving each learner the opportunity topractise their presentation first. Video their finished work, and show thepresentations at assembly or on a special occasion.

Use the internet, magazines and newspapers to make a collection of pictures ofcelebrations. Have the learners sort and classify the pictures into different types ofcelebrations.

Reinforce the learning by using previously collected pictures. Challenge the learnersto find a picture of:− a wedding;− a birthday;− a christening; and− a graduation.

As an extension activity, you could ask your learners to search through classified adsin local newspapers to find congratulation messages.




How do families celebrate?

... be able to make choices and decisions.

Hold a class review of the methods they have used to investigate family celebrations.Use the Traffic Lights system to indicate for each method:− how useful it was;− how easy it was to carry out;− how much they liked it; and− if they would use it for a different task.

Discuss any suggestions for improving the methods they used.

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Seek advice when necessary

Communication -Listen to and take part in discussions



How does my local community celebrate?

... generate ideas. Using Resource 4, investigate which festivals are celebrated in the areas where thelearners live. You could ask them to write or draw the answers to the questions onthe worksheet.

Consult your local council website and www.discovernorthernireland.com for moreinformation.

Resource 4: My Local Festival!

Invite local festival organisers to speak to the learners about the work involved inorganising an event. Use focused questions, such as:− What types of work are involved?− What skills are needed?− What experience is needed?− How can I gain experience?− Are there volunteering opportunities?

Investigate work experience opportunities.


Communication -Communicate information, ideas and opinions



How do people in my country celebrate?

... select and use a range of sources of information.

Together discuss national celebrations – St Patrick’s Day, May Day, 12th July andRemembrance Sunday – and complete Resource 5.

Resource 5: Our Celebrations

Use the sub-sections that follow to investigate some of the festivals celebrated inNorthern Ireland through a Festival Project. There will be opportunities for thelearners to plan a celebration. Give each learner a role to play in the preparation,such as cleaning and laying the table, buying provisions or preparing food.

The website www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/holidays.html includes arange of information on celebrations and festivals.

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Manage behaviour in a range of situations

Communication -Read a range of texts for information, ideas and enjoyment

Using ICT -Access information



What other special occasions/festivals do we celebrate in our culture?

... explore the traditions of harvest.

Use these activities to focus on harvest.

Explore the meaning of harvest by choosing together the harvest foods from thepictures in Resource 6. Ask focused questions:− What does a harvest festival celebrate?− When does it take place?− What type of food do we associate with harvest time?

Examine the variety of foods that are harvested: fruits, vegetables, seeds, etc.

Resource 6: Can You Find The Harvest Foods?

Grow some herbs or vegetables from seed and ask the learners to name some of theplants that we grow for food.

You could also use the C2k ‘Spot on Games’ Programme, selecting the activity ‘Growa Flower’.

You can make links to Art & Design by:Planning and designing a display or poster entitled ‘Eat More Fruit and Vegetables’.

Using the PowerPoint, have the learners follow the story of flour and how it is used tomake bread and cakes.

PP: The Story Of Bread

Use the PowerPoint story to help plan or take part in a Harvest Thanksgiving service.

PP: Harvest Book




What other special occasions/festivals do we celebrate in our culture?

... explore the traditions of harvest.

Follow the recipe in Resource 7 to make some harvest scones.

You could use this as a school enterprise opportunity for selling and fund raising.

Resource 7: Harvest Scones

Invite a priest/minister of religion into the class to talk about harvest celebrations inour churches.

See the following websites for more information and resources:www.harvestfestivals.netwww.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Harvest.html

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Communication -Find, select and use information from a range of sources



How is Ramadan celebrated?

... recognise and respect similarities and differences between one another.

Use these activities to focus on Ramadan.

Explore with the learners the key activities that Muslims are expected to do duringthe festival of Ramadan. Resource 8 is a gap-fill exercise giving information aboutthe festival, and Resource 9 asks the learners to make comparisons with theirpersonal experience.

Resource 8: Celebrating Ramadan 1

Resource 9: Celebrating Ramadan 2

Using Resource 10, consider similarities and differences between Ramadan andChristmas (if appropriate).

Resource 10: How Are Christmas And Ramadan Celebrated?

Select one activity that Muslims must make a commitment to or promise about.Encourage each learner to make a promise and attempt to keep it. Their promisescould be recorded on pieces of card and displayed on a notice board.

Many Muslims look forward to sunset during Ramadan, when they can eat. Have thelearners paint pictures of sunsets and display them beside their promises.

Eid festival comes at the end of Ramadan. Explain to the learners that this is a happytime. Explore what makes them happy, and make a list or draw pictures of their ideas.

The learners could also make an Eid greetings card. These often have beautifulpatterns drawn on them. Use repeating patterns or design your own.

Arrange a visit from a member of the Muslim community, and/or cook a meal using arecipe from a website.




How is Ramadan celebrated?

... recognise and respect similarities and differences between one another.

Refer to the following websites for more information and resources:www.globalgang.org/reallife/faithfile/Default.aspxClick on Festival Facts to find information about world festivals.

www.teachnet.ie/clane/2006/Here you can find information on world cultures, activities, stories and games.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/worksheets/www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/islam/ramadan.shtmlThese sites provide activities for a variety of religions and religious festivalsincluding Christmas, Easter and Ramadan.

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/id-ul-fitr/customs.html

http://islam.about.com/od/basicbeliefs/Basic_Beliefs.htm

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Communication -Read a range of texts for information, ideas and enjoyment

Using ICT -Research and select information



How is Diwali celebrated?

...develop an understanding of diversity.

Use these activities to focus on Diwali.

Tell the story of Rama and Sita to your learners, illustrated with pictures if possible(see the web links below). Read aloud the short version of the story in Resource 11,and explore together how good wins over evil. Provide them with one or both of theworksheets in Resource 12 to focus on the story further.

Resource 11: The Story Of Rama And Sita

Resource 12: Rama And Sita

You can make links to Art & Design by:Viewing an online picture gallery of Hindu gods and using these pictures to helpproduce simple stick puppets of Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Ravana.

You can make links to Drama by:Using these stick puppets to dramatise the story of Rama and Sita.• Craft materials: card, paints, crayons, colouring pencils, scissors, glue and flat

sticks to mount puppets

Investigate together how people celebrate the festival of Diwali today by completingResource 13.

Resource 13: Celebrating Diwali

You can make links to Art & Design by:Making divas or clay light holders. If appropriate, place a lighted tea-light in each holder.

Resource 14: Making Divas




How is Diwali celebrated?

... develop an understanding of diversity.

www.widgit.com/resources/classroom/lights/index.htm gives access to a WWSresource and includes a story, picture, drama and activities.

www.ninapaley.com/Sitayana/epic.html has a more detailed version of the storywhich you may want to read for your own background knowledge.

www.activityvillage.co.uk/rangoli.htm includes a range of Diwali craft activities.

See also www.hindunet.com.au

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Using ICT -Access and manage information

Using Mathematics -Organise and present information in mathematical formats



How is the Chinese New Year celebrated?

... recognise and respect diversity within their local community.

Use these activities to focus on the Chinese New Year.

Explore together how people celebrate the Chinese New Year and how the yearsare associated with twelve different animals. Resource 15 gives you a very briefoverview; you can build on this with your learners by using the other resources andthe internet, which has a wealth of information on the background to the ChineseNew Year.

Resource 15: Chinese Calendar

Show and read to the learners the PowerPoint story about how the years gottheir names, and provide copies of whichever follow-up worksheet is moreappropriate: Resource 16 or 17.

PP: The Chinese New Year

Resource 16: The Chinese New Year: How Did The Years Get Their Names? (Writing Answers)

Resource 17: The Chinese New Year: How Did The Years Get Their Names? (Circling Answers)

Have the learners complete and colour the calendar wheel in Resource 18 tofamiliarise themselves with the twelve animals. Explain the idea that each animalrules its year and gives particular characteristics to it. Use Resource 19 to investigatethis further.

Resource 18: Chinese New Year: Wheel of Fortune!

Resource 19: The Years Of The Chinese Calendar






You can make links to Using Mathematics by:Carrying out a survey of the animal of each learner’s year of birth and recording theresults on a simple graph. You could organise this as a family or whole schoolsurvey to provide a greater variety of results.Carrying out a survey of their favourite animals and recording these on a simple graph.

You can make links to Literacy and Drama by:Having the learners describe and mime one of the animals.

Play a game of animal snap or a ‘yes or no’ game with picture cards made fromResource 20.

Resource 20: Animal Snap

Use the activity in Resource 21 to consolidate the idea that different years areassociated with different animals. Make a wall display showing the learners’favourite celebrities and the Chinese year of their birth.

Resource 21: What Year Were They Born?

Read together the information about Chinese dragons in Resource 22. Decoratethe classroom to look like a Chinese house, remembering that the dragon is acommon feature of Chinese New Year festivities. Refer to some of the internet linksbelow for further background information.

Resource 22: Chinese Dragons

You can make links to Art & Design by:Making Chinese New Year cards, lanterns, hats and fans.

Resource 23: Art Ideas

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Use Resources 24 and 25 to develop the theme of the new year celebrations. Explainto the learners that these celebrations traditionally involve loud music, dancing in thestreets and firecrackers.

Resource 24: 15-Day Celebration!

Resource 25: Celebration Pictures

Prepare simple Chinese meals or snacks using the recipes for Fortune Cookies,Bean Sprouts and Stir-Fry Rice in Resource 26, or other Chinese recipe books.

Resource 26: Celebration Recipes

Organise a class visit to a Chinese restaurant during the Chinese New Year.

The following websites provide further information and resources:www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/zodiac.html gives background informationabout the Chinese calendar.

www.topmarks.co.uk/ChineseNewYear/default.aspx allows the learners to entertheir date of birth and find out which animal’s year they were born and what it means.

www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/decorations.html has more detailson Chinese New Year decorations, including plants and flowers, oranges andtangerines, and candy trays.

www.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf2/dragon.pdf is a dragontemplate which you could use when making decorations.

www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm includes a range of activities.






www.chinesenames.org allows the learners to find the Chinese symbols for their name.

www.teachnet.ie/stpats/2003/festivals/task.html gives access to information on world festivals and a task about the Chinese New Year which may be appropriate for some learners.

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Manage behaviour in a range of situations

Communication -Listen to and take part in discussions and explanations

Using Mathematics -Choose appropriate materials, equipment and mathematics to use



How is Halloween celebrated?

... select appropriate, relevant information from different sources.

Use these activities to focus on Halloween.

Using Resource 27, discuss the background to Halloween and the different ways ofcelebrating it.

Resource 27: Celebrating Halloween

You can make links to Using Mathematics by:Recording what each learner does at Halloween and displaying the results on asimple bar graph.

Explore the pros and cons of Halloween and how some of the celebrations can upsetothers, such as trick or treating on elderly people and upsetting animals by settingoff fireworks near them.

Using Resource 28 and the PowerPoint presentation, explore health and safetyconcerns regarding fireworks. Create a safety information poster together.

Resource 28: Keeping Safe At Halloween

PP: Wise Up, Be Safe, It’s Halloween

Go to the library or school library and source storybooks related to Halloween.

Read traditional or other related stories and fables, and have the learners role playor act out the key scenes.




How is Halloween celebrated?

... select appropriate, relevant information from different sources.

Cut out and paint Halloween shapes to hang as mobiles in the classroom.

You can make links to Using Mathematics by:Making 2D pumpkin lanterns, developing shape concepts in this work.

You can make links to Art & Design by:Making animal masks. Use strong card to make templates of two or three differentanimals. The learners can use these to make their own masks and decorate themwith wool, string and paints.

There are excellent websites about: − the history of Halloween;− poems (including Shakespeare);− Halloween costumes; − witches; and− a range of other resources.

See, for example, the following: www.britishcouncil.org/kids-topics-halloween.htm has a range of activities thatyou can use with your learners.

www.jackolanterns.net includes information about Halloween.

www.partydelights.co.uk/halloween/halloween_party.asp?src=gaw&kw=halloweenhas pictures on a Halloween theme.

Create a whole school multi-sensory Halloween experience.

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Set personal targets and review them




How is Easter celebrated?

... work co-operatively with their peers in activities.

Use these activities to focus on Easter.

Using the PowerPoint, explore with the learners what Easter means to them.

As a preparation for Easter, encourage them to give up something they like or to dosomething helpful for Lent.

Read the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. Ask those who go to church what happensin their particular religion at Easter.

Ask focused questions, such as:− Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do?− What were the consequences?− How did you feel?

PP: What Does Easter Mean To You?

Using Resources 29 and 30, explore the food traditions associated with Easter.Investigate the reasons behind the tradition of eating hot cross buns.

Resource 29: Easter Menu!

Resource 30: Why Do We Give Easter Eggs?

Organise an Easter Egg Decorating competition and/or an Easter Egg Hunt aroundthe school.

These websites both include information and activities related to Easter:www.happy-easter.comwww.holidays.net/easter/index.htm



Communication -Use non-verbal methods to express ideas



How is Christmas celebrated?

... access, select and record relevant information.

Use these activities to focus on Christmas.

List the preparations that the learners and their families make for Christmas.

Using Resource 31, focus on when Advent is and what it means. Make an Adventcalendar for the classroom.

Resource 31: Advent

Use the PowerPoint presentation to focus on the Christmas story. Create a timelineof the events in the story.

PP: Away in a Manger

Encourage the learners to participate in or visit a nativity play or drama.

Use the theme of journeys made in the Christmas story, and discuss the journeyswe all make at Christmas time.

Create a class/whole school multi-sensory Christmas experience. Plan with thelearners how to do this and what role each will have.

Use Resources 32 and 33 to prepare a Celebration lotto game for the learners toplay together.

Resource 32: Lotto Cards

Resource 33: Lotto Boards

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How is Christmas celebrated?

... access, select and record relevant information.

You can find more information and resources on many websites, including:www.holidays.net/christmaswww.merry-christmas.comwww.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htmwww.northpole.com


Resources


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Types Of Celebration (1 of 2) Resource 1

Family Religious Other

Decide if these celebrations and festivals are family, religious or other occasions. Cut and paste each picture into one of the boxes.


Types Of Celebration (2 of 2) Resource 1

Diwali Valentine’s Day Birthday

Harvest Easter Wedding

Halloween Christmas Mother’s Day

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How Do We Celebrate?

Do we celebrate all special events in the same way, or do we do different things? Complete the table below by using the words in the box, or use your own!

Resource 2

Celebration Food eaten Clothes Activities

Birthday

Christmas

Easter

Halloween

paper hats hat and scarf cake fireworks pass the parcel nuts paint eggs

turkey mask/costume blow candles chocolate eggs pull crackers

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What’s The Celebration? Resource 3

graduation christening birthday anniversary Mother’s Day

New Year Valentine’s Day new baby wedding

Do you know what these people are celebrating? Write the correct word from the word box below the picture.


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My Local Festival! Resource 4

Who? What? Where?

When? My LocalFestival!

My local festival or celebration is

Why?

Complete the information poster by writing or drawing in the boxes.

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Our Celebrations

Different celebrations are held in Northern Ireland during the year. Can you match the ways of celebrating to the names of the celebrations?

parade

dancing around the maypole

wearing a poppy

wearing a shamrock

Resource 5

Remembrance Sunday

St Patrick’s Day

May Day

12th July

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Can You Find The Harvest Foods? (1 of 5) Resource 6

apples oranges bread

ice cream strawberries chocolate

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Easter eggs cake jelly

carrots broccoli cabbage

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sweetcorn turnip pizza

nuts lemon pineapple

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parsnip potato wheat

banana chips kiwi

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burger onion mushrooms

melon spaghetti cherries

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Harvest Scones Resource 7

Ingredients [makes about 8-12]225g self raising flour110g caster sugar110g butter or margarineHandful of raisinsEnough milk to make sticky, but not too runny, dough

EquipmentYou will need a bun tray, mixing bowl, mixing spoon, tablespoon and scales.

What to do• Set the oven to 180ºC.• Mix together the flour and sugar with hands or spoon.• Rub the butter into the flour mixture until it looks like breadcrumbs.• Mix in a handful of raisins and add a little milk.• Stir with a mixing spoon to make a sticky dough. Add a little more milk if necessary.• Grease the bun tray with a little butter or margarine.• Place a tablespoon of the mixture in each section of the tray.• Place the tray in the oven for 15 minutes.• When the scones are ready, they will be brown on top and slightly risen.• Remove them from the oven and, when they are cool enough to handle, leave the scones to cool on a cooling tray.• The scones can be eaten with jam (another example of fruits and harvest).


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Celebrating Ramadan 1 Resource 8

Ramadan is the time when Muslims remember when their Holy ,

called the Qur’an, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

During Ramadan, Muslims do not during daylight. They also

do things and give to charity. They

spend the time with and friends.

At the end of Ramadan, a big called Eid-ul-Fitr takes

place. People wear their best and give

to children. They have a big

with family and friends.

Word Bank

meal

family

presents

celebration

eat

clothes

good

book

money

Fill in the blank spaces, using the pictures to help you.

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Celebrating Ramadan 2 Resource 9

Ramadan is a very important festival. Which of these is your favourite festival?

Christmas Easter Halloween Valentine’s Day

People who are celebrating Ramadan do not eat during the day. The fast lasts for 30 days. What food would you miss most if you were on a fast?

chocolate fast food fruit meat bread vegetables

People who are unable to fast give money to charity. What type of charity would you give money to?

the poor the elderly the sick animals the environment

There is a big celebration at the end of Ramadan called Eid-ul-Fitr. People decorate their homes, eat a special meal and send cards. When do you do something like this?

Christmas birthday Halloween Thanksgiving Easter Saint’s Day

BEMINE

Read the information and circle your answers.

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How Are Christmas And Ramadan Celebrated? (1 of 2) Resource 10

CHRISTMAS BOTH RAMADAN

In what ways are they similar and different? Complete the activity by selecting features from the list and copying the words or sticking the pictures in the correct space.


How Are Christmas And Ramadan Celebrated? (2 of 2) Resource 10

Jesus’ birth

Qur’an revealed to the Prophet Muhammad

Decorate home

Santa

Turkey

Mince pies

Fasting

Give presents

Support charities

Spend time with family and friends

Every year

Eid-u-Fitr

Boxing Day

Good clothes

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The Story Of Rama And Sita Resource 11

Rama and Sita lived in a forest. The Demon King, Ravana, wanted to kidnap Sita. He sent a golden fawn for Rama to capture. While Rama was capturing the deer, the Demon King disguised himself as an old man and kidnapped Sita.

Rama spent months searching for her and asked the King of the monkey army, Hanuman, who could fly, for help. They found her and had a battle with the Demon King. Rama won the battle by using a bow and arrow. He rescued Sita and they went home. It was dark, so the people put divas in their windows to show them the way.

Every year, this story is remembered at the time of Diwali by people lighting divas inside their homes and having fireworks outside. This is why Diwali is also known as the Festival of Light.

Read this story to your learners to enable them to complete the worksheets in Resource 12.

.


Rama And Sita (1 of 2) Resource 12

Rama and Sita lived in a . The Demon King, Ravana, wanted to kidnap Sita.

He sent a golden for Rama to capture. While Rama was capturing the deer,

the Demon King disguised himself as an and kidnapped Sita.

Rama spent months searching for her and asked the King of the monkey army, Hanuman,

who could , for help. They found her and had a battle with the Demon King.

Rama won the battle by using a . He rescued Sita and they went home.

It was dark, so the people put in their windows to show them the way.

Every year, this story is remembered at the time of Diwali by people lighting divas inside their homes and

having outside. This is why Diwali is also known as the Festival of .

Word Bank

divas windows old man fawn bow & arrow fireworks light fly forest

Listen to the story of Rama and Sita and fill in the blank spaces using the word bank.

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Rama And Sita (2 of 2) Resource 12

Rama and Sita lived in a forest / island. The Demon King, Ravana, wanted to kidnap Sita.

He sent a golden cat / fawn for Rama to capture. While Rama was capturing the deer,

the Demon King disguised himself as an old man / a soldier and kidnapped Sita.

Rama spent months searching for her and asked the King of the monkey army, Hanuman,

who could swim / fly, for help. They found her and had a battle with the Demon King.

Rama won the battle by using a sword / bow and arrow. He rescued Sita and they went home.

It was dark, so the people put torches / divas in their windows / cupboards to show them the way.

Every year, this story is remembered at the time of Diwali by people lighting divas inside their homes and

having fireworks / picnics outside. This is why Diwali is also known as the Festival of Eating / Light.

Listen to the story of Rama and Sita and circle the correct words.

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Celebrating Diwali (1 of 2)

The Diwali celebration takes place over five days. Look at the pictures and see what Hindus do on each day. Cut the pictures out and stick them on in the correct order, or draw your own.

Resource 13

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Celebrating Diwali (2 of 2) Resource 13

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Renovate and decorate

Worship God of Strength Light lamps Pay bills Celebrate brothers

and sisters, and see good

in others


Making Divas Resource 14

• Roll the clay into a ball.

• Hold the ball of clay in the palm of your hand and push the thumb of the other hand into the ball but not through it.

• Squeeze the ball between thumb and fingers and move the ball around so the hole is an even shape.

• Flatten the base of the lamp by putting it on newspaper, and pull out the front and back to make the shape of the lamp. Leave it to dry.

• When it is dry, put a tea-light in the diva and light it.

You will need a piece of clay, about the size of a small apple, and a tea-light.


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Chinese Calendar Resource 15

To celebrate the New Year, Chinese homes are cleaned and decorated with red banners and streamers, hanging lanterns, red envelopes with money in them and squares of bright paper decorated with words such as happiness and wealth. Lots of food is eaten and there are fireworks to scare away evil spirits.

There are 12 different names for each New Year, used in a 12-year cycle. This is based on a legend:

When Buddha, who was very wise, was about to leave the earth, only 12 animals came to say goodbye. As a reward, he decided to name a year after each one of them. There was a contest to see who would be first in the list of names. All the animals had to cross the river, and the first to arrive on the other side would be top of the list. The ox was winning, but the rat had travelled on his back and jumped onto the bank first. The rest of the animals arrived one by one, from the tiger to the pig. The names of the years are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The animal names applied to years rotate in sequence, starting with the year of the rat.

The idea is that each animal rules its year and gives particular characteristics to it.

Chinese New Year is celebrated between 1 January and 19 February.


The Chinese New Year: How Did The Years Get Their Names? (Writing Answers) Resource 16

1. Why were the animals arguing?

2. How many animals wanted the year named after them?

3. Who asked them to tell him what they were arguing about?

4. What type of competition did he have for them?

5. Which animal was the best swimmer?

6. Which animal was very smart?

7. How did the rat get across the river?

8. Which animal won the race?

9. Which animal was second?

10. What animal came in last?

Read or listen to the story of how the years got their names and finish these sentences.


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The Chinese New Year: How Did The Years Get Their Names? (Circling Answers) Resource 17

1. How many animals wanted the year named after them?

2. Who asked them to tell him what they were arguing about?

3. What type of competition did he have for them?

4. How did the rat get across the river?

5. Which animal won the race?

5 12 20

old lady young boy wise man

swimming running throwing

jumped on the ox flew got in a car

rat snake pig

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Read or listen to the story of how the years got their names, and answer the questions by circling the correct answers.


Chinese New Year: Wheel Of Fortune! Resource 18

Pig or Boar

Mon

key

Goa

t or

Shee

p

Horse

Snake

Rat

Ox or BullTiger

Rabbit or Hare

DragonDraw or stick pictures of the animals in the spaces.


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The Years Of The Chinese Calendar Resource 19

Year of the RatYou are kind and cheerful. If you are born at night, you may have to work hard. Daytime rats have an easier time.

Year of the Ox or BullYou are strong and faithful. You may be stubborn too.

Year of the TigerYou are brave and powerful. Many tigers are leaders and are very clever.

Year of the Rabbit or HareYou have lots of luck and are usually successful. You are a happy person.

Year of the DragonYou are healthy and have lots of energy.

Year of the SnakeYou always think carefully before acting. You are wise and strong.

Year of the HorseYou can be stubborn, though you are also cheerful and quick-witted.

Year of the Goat, Ram or SheepYou are gentle, calm and kind but you worry a lot.

Year of the MonkeyYou are clever and agile, and good at sorting out life’s problems. You can be selfish, too.

Year of the Rooster or CockerelYou are proud and may be vain. You are good at talking and writing.

Year of the DogYou are an honest and loyal person. You like to help others and you make a good friend.

Year of the Pig or BoarYou are very popular and have a lot of friends. You are honest and reliable.


Animal Snap (1 of 4) Resource 20

rat dog pig

rat dog pig

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ox rooster monkey

ox rooster monkey

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snake horse dragon

snake horse dragon

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sheep hare tiger

sheep hare tiger

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What Year Were They Born? (1 of 3) Resource 21

Name Date of Birth Year of the...

Wayne Rooney

Gordon Brown

Prince William

Rhianna

Declan Donnelly

Tiger Woods

Keira Knightley

David Tennant

Barbara Windsor

Complete this table to show the Chinese Year these people were born.


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Name Date of Birth

Declan Donnelly 5th September 1975

Tiger Woods 30th December 1975

Keira Knightley 26th March 1985

Gordon Brown 1st November 1947

Wayne Rooney 24th October 1985

Rhianna 20th February 1988

Prince William 21st June 1982

Barbara Windsor 8th June 1937

David Tennant 18th April 1971

Dates Of Birth



Rat 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996

Ox 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997

Tiger 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998

Rabbit 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999

Dragon 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000

Snake 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001

Horse 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002

Sheep/Goat 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003

Monkey 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004

Rooster 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005

Dog 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006

Pig 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007

Chinese Calendar


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Chinese Dragons Resource 22

There are two very important Chinese festivals, and dragons are important in both of them.

Chinese dragons bring good luck. Long ago people believed that dragons lived in the clouds and brought the rain.

The Spring Festival marks the Chinese New Year. People dress in dragon costumes and dance through the streets. Children throw buckets of water at the dancers, shouting ‘Here comes the rain!’ Families always try to be together at New Year, and fireworks are let off to scare away the evil spirits.

In the Dragon Boat Festival, boats decorated with dragon heads race each other, and people throw rice on the water.


Art Ideas Resource 23

Chinese lanternsMake Chinese lanterns to decorate the classroom. Cut slits in a rectangle of coloured paper. Fold and glue it into a cylindrical shape, staple on a handle and suspend it from the ceiling. You could fix tissue paper to the inside to make the lantern ‘glow’.

Chinese hatsCut large circles of thin card with one slit from the edge to the centre. These can be decorated with Chinese symbols or pictures. Fold and staple them into a hat shape. Attach lengths of ribbon or elastic to secure the hat under the wearer’s chin.

DragonMake a dragon frieze or a three-dimensional dragon from cardboard boxes. Use bright colours, especially the colour red.

Animal displayCut silhouettes of all the animals of the Chinese year cycle, preferably using gold or silver foil. Mount them on card as a display, or hang them as individual mobiles from the ceiling.

Chinese cardsMake cards for the Chinese New Year. The traditional message of Happy New Year in Chinese is ‘kung hei fat choy’ (‘hei’ can also be spelt ‘hai’). You could use Chinese symbols and bright red decorations to decorate the cards.

Chinese fansTake some gold or yellow card, and fold it in half in the shape of a greetings card. Take a rectangle of red paper and draw or cut out a design of flower blossom on it. Fold the paper, making short repeated folds along its length. Glue the bottom edge of the paper onto the card, forming a three-dimensional fan design. Add a Chinese New Year greeting.

PagodasTake a sheet of coloured paper, cut it into the shape of a pagoda and add decorative lines. Each space can be filled in by writing or illustrating appropriate facts about China or the Chinese New Year.


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15-Day Celebration! (1 of 2) Resource 24

Word Bank

dinner

dogs

vegetables

friends

rice & greens

clean

Lantern Festival

friends & family

meat

Jade Emperor

wealth

in-laws

noodles

Don’t eat

Day 1

Birthday of

Day 2

Day 3 Day 4

Welcome the god of

Day 5

Visit

and family

Day 6

Have a drink made from

and eat

Day 7

Have

with family

Day 8

Make offerings to

Day 9

Invite

Day 10

Day 11 Day 12

Eat

Day 13

house and get ready

Day 14

Night of the

Day 15

Show respect to

Invite

Fill in the calendar to show how the Chinese New Year is celebrated!


15-Day Celebration! (2 of 2) Resource 24

On the 1st day of the celebration, many people don’t eat meat as they believe this will help them lead a long and happy life.

On the 2nd day, they are extra kind to dogs, as it is believed this is the birthday of all dogs.

On the 3rd and 4th days, sons-in-law show respect to their in-laws.

On the 5th day, which is called ‘Po-Woo’, people stay in their homes to welcome the god of wealth. No one visits anyone else, as they think this would bring bad luck.

On the 6th day, they can visit friends and relatives, and they can go to the Temples to pray for good health and fortune.

On the 7th day, farmers show what they have grown. They make a drink using seven types of vegetable to celebrate. People also eat noodles and fish.

On the 8th day, a family meal is eaten.

On the 9th day, offerings are made to the Jade Emperor.

On the 10th, 11th and 12th days, friends and family are invited for dinner.

On the 13th day, the people eat rice and mustard greens.

On the 14th day, the people prepare for the celebrations by cleaning their homes.

On the night of the 15th day, the Lantern Festival is held and the people celebrate. They have a dragon dance.


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Celebration Pictures Resource 25

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Celebration Recipes (1 of 3) Resource 26

Fortune Cookies

Ingredients 4 egg whites1/2 cup melted butter1/2 cup rice flour (rice flour is best for fortune cookies as they can be folded when warm, yet crisp when cool)3/4 cup sugar2 tablespoons waterpinch of salt

What to do• Write messages on strips of paper and fold them up.• Beat the egg whites until they stand up in frothy peaks. (This takes a few minutes of hard work!)• Stir in the rice flour, sugar and salt, and continue beating for another two minutes.• Add melted butter and water. Beat well.• Put spoonfuls of the mixture on a greased baking tray (approx 7cm circles). Leave a space between each one.• Bake at 170°C for 8 minutes.• Put a message in the centre of each cookie and fold it over.• Store the cookies in an airtight jar.

If the cookies start to harden, put them back in the oven for a minute to soften.


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Bean SproutsThe Chinese have been sprouting beans for thousands of years. Chinese bean sprouts are grown from mung beans, but other beans, such as aduki beans and chick-peas, can be sprouted too. Bean sprouts must be the freshest vegetables we eat, since they are still growing when they are served! They are nutritious, too, providing vitamins C and B-complex, a little protein, and fibre. Try growing your own bean sprouts!

Ingredients 50g mung beans, soaked overnight

Equipmenta large jam jar, cloth and elastic band or a colander, lined, and an old tea-towel

What to do• Wash the beans, removing any that are damaged. Place in the jar or colander and find a place away from draughts and sunlight.• Two or three times a day, pour warm water over the beans, then drain it off. Leave the jar on its side, slightly tilted to remove excess water.• Repeat every day for 3-5 days until the sprouts are 3-5cm high. If you are lucky, you can grow 200g bean sprouts from 50g beans.

Remember: Don’t forget to water the beans and remove any that go mouldy. Home-grown mung beans are greener than shop-bought beans, which are grown in the dark.



Stir-Fry RiceTake a wok into the classroom, and with careful supervision, let the children perform traditional Chinese stir-fry cookery. Discuss why a wok is shaped in the way it is. Explain that heat is evenly distributed across the cooking surface, and the food cooks rapidly as it is tossed against the sides of the wok. Explain that food for stir-frying is cut into small pieces, so that it cooks evenly and quickly.

Ingredients Equipment rice garlic wok saucepanegg onion knife garlic crusherpeas oil kettle chopping board green pepper

What to do• Boil water for cooking the rice.• Place the rice in the saucepan and add water. Bring to the boil, simmer for approximately 10 mins and drain.• Slice onion, crush garlic and chop pepper.• Heat oil in the wok over a medium heat.• Add rice and stir.• Break an egg into the wok, add sliced onion, peas, garlic and diced pepper. Stir for 5 mins.• Serve on a plate. Use chopsticks to eat.


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Celebrating Halloween Resource 27

Pumpkins are...

Wood is...

Masks are...

Apples are...

Trick or Treat is...

Fireworks are...

...put in water and bobbed for.

...let off into the sky.

...hollowed out and faces are carved into them.

...played on friends and neighbours.

...worn and people dress up in costumes.

...piled up into a bonfire.

What do people do with these items at Halloween? Join the sentences together.

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Keeping Safe At Halloween

Look at these pictures and decide if they show people doing the right thing at Halloween. Colour a RED light if they’re not and a GREEN light if they are.

Resource 28

FIREWORKS

a child lighting fireworks keeping fireworks in a box

keeping pets indoors

holding more than one sparkler

frightening old peoplethrowing fireworks


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Easter Menu! Resource 29

A cake made with 11 marzipan balls on the top which represent the 11 friends of Jesus who did not betray him.

Eaten on Shrove Tuesday to use up all the fatty and sugary ingredients before Lent starts.

The icing cross on the top of these reminds us of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Made for lunch on Easter Sunday.

What the Easter bunny brings.

roast lamb

hot cross buns

pancakes

chocolate eggs

simnel cake

Complete this Easter menu by drawing lines from the correct descriptions to the foods eaten at Easter.

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Why Do We Give Easter Eggs? Resource 30

Word Bank

Easter

represent

see

cross

sometimes

growth

back

chick

other

springtime

bright

lambs

An egg is a symbol of new life. A baby comes to life through

an egg. It is a reminder of how Jesus came to life after his death

on the . Easter happens in sp time.

symbols of new life that we e at this time

are baby bs and rabbits. Some s eggs are boiled

and painted with b colours to re the

springtime and the g th of new life. Giving chocolate eggs at

er is another way of celebrating this special time.

m w

p

S

W

N

Do you know why people give eggs at Easter? Crack the code to find out!

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Advent

Advent is the time when we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. How are these people getting ready for Christmas?

Resource 31

singing carols

visiting friends and family

decorating the tree

wrapping presents

What else do you do in Advent?


Lotto Cards (1 of 4) Resource 32

decorate eggs hang stockings bob for apples

go to the lantern festival wear a mask see baby lambs and chicks

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sing carols eat noodles put up a tree

go to a dragon dance go to a bonfire toss pancakes

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go on an egg hunt put up holly go trick or treating

eat fortune cookies pull crackers eat hot cross buns

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celebrate the resurrection of Jesus celebrate the birth of Jesus eat apple pie

make offerings to the Jade Emperor watch daffodils grow eat chocolate eggs

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Lotto Boards (1 of 4) Resource 33

Easter Christmas Halloween

Chinese New Year Halloween Easter

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Christmas Chinese New Year Christmas

Chinese New Year Halloween Easter

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Chinese New Year Christmas Easter

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Chinese New Year Easter Easter

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Let's Celebrate: Festivals

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Transcript of Let's Celebrate: Festivals