Let's Celebrate Diwali!

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Students will learn about multicultural celebrations.

OBJECTIVE

Students Will:

1. List prior knowledge of Diwali.
2. Listen to books.
3. Compare and contrast Diwali to other celebrations.
4. Create a project.

MATERIALS

1. Diwali (Rookie Read-About Holidays) by Christina Mia Gardeski, David F. Marx
2. Here Comes Diwali: The Festival of Lights by Meenal Pandya
3. Self-hardening clay for Diwali Diya
4. Sandwich-size Zip Lock baggies
5. Tempera paint
6. Brushes
7. Tea candles (one per child)
8. Kidspiration software and computer

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Check paint and brushes for condition
2. Divide up clay into bowl size balls and put in Zip Lock baggies
3. Check computer connection to large screen monitor

DIRECTIONS
Step 1: As a group, list what the children already know about Diwali. I use Kidspiration as a brainstorming tool and add a new part to the chart we made about Ramadan. We continue on this chart with each celebration.

Step 2: Read Diwali (Rookie Read-About Holidays) by Christina Mia Gardeski, David f. Marx and Here Comes Diwali: The Festival of Lights by Meenal Pandya, et al. As an alternative, you can also read about the festival online at diwalifestival.org .

Step 3: Using Kidspiration list what the children learned about Diwali.

Step 4: Compare and contrast Ramadan and Diwali.

Step 5: Create a Diya. Using self-hardening clay the children create a small bowl to hold a tea candle. Or you could have the children create the candle out of clay also to avoid a fire hazard. After the clay has hardened, paint the Diya and the candle.

Step 6: As a group, create a letter to parents explaining about Diwali and the Diya. Ask that an adult light the candle at home.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Teacher observation will assess student participation in listening to the book and contributing to the discussion.

Gayle has been a teacher for 35 years. She has helped teachers throughout the nation learn about technology, the Internet, and creative ways to use both in the classroom.

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