let's share diwali!


Level: 1 & 2, 3 & 4
Duration: Levels 1 & 2, 3 to 4 weeks; Levels 3 & 4, 3 to 6 weeks depending on depth of individual studies
Strand: Identity, Culture and Organisation

Acknowledgements

These two Social Studies units, written by Mike Tapp encourage further sharing, celebration and understanding.

About this unit

Diwali is an important and ancient Indian festival celebrated throughout India and in Indian communities around the world. It is a festival of lights where families light small oil lamps or diyas and set off fireworks to celebrate the traditions of Diwali and Indian culture as a whole.

Auckland and Wellington will again come alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of the Diwali Festival as Indian communities share this much-loved cultural tradition with other New Zealanders and their families.

Strand: Identity, Culture and Organisation

Process: Social Inquiry

Achievement objectives:

Through a social inquiry process and in a range of settings students understand that:

  • Level 1: The cultures of New Zealand are expressed in their daily lives
  • Level 2: Cultural practices reflect and express people’s customs, traditions and values
  • Level 3: Cultural practices vary but reflect similar purposes
  • Level 4: People pass on and sustain culture and heritage for different reasons and this has consequences for people

Key competencies

All of the key competencies are explored through these units. Students can take ownership of the learning process and are involved in activities that challenge them to connect their skills to practical situations designed to meet a real need. They work cooperatively and ideally, with people from the Indian community, to help them reach their goals. 

Specific learning outcomes

Level 1 and 2

Students will be able to:

  • Describe what people do at a celebration and give an example of a celebration they know of
  • Compare with a very simple Venn diagram the similarities and differences between the Diwali festival and one they know well
  • Draw a simple chart to compare aspects of India with New Zealand
  • Explain how a festival, custom or tradition from one country can move to another
  • Write and ask open ended questions to get information they need from experts
  • Give examples of customs or traditions that may change from family to family but still serve the same purpose
  • Tell others the legend of Rama
  • Draw a rangoli pattern and explain where and when it would be used
  • Describe similar artworks that don’t last but are reviewed every year
  • Plan and have a class Diwali celebration

Level 3 and 4

Students will be able to:

  • Describe the origins of some of the celebrations they know about and what they have in common
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of India by comparing some simple facts with New Zealand
  • Describe why India is called a land of festivals and list some of the things these festivals have in common
  • Follow a brief and share Diwali information with others by producing an educational resource
  • Describe who is involved in the Diwali festival and why they celebrate
  • Follow an inquiry process to organise and make use of gathered information
  • Contact resource personnal and ask open ended questions to gather required information
  • Share Diwali legends with others through dance or drama
  • Write a Diwali poem to show its special significance and publish it on a Diwali card
  • Explain what is special about each of the five days of the Diwali festival
  • Work with others to  plan and share an aspect of one of the five days of Diwali

 Cross Curricular Links

  • The Arts and English
  • A Science /Technology unit on light could be woven into this unit

Teaching and Learning Links

Useful resources

  • Asia NZ Diwali photos
  • Diwali website 1
  • Diwali website 2
  • Diwali website 3
  • Fast and Festivals of India (Diamond Pocket Books) ISBN 81-7182-076-X
  • "Traditions of India", Wayland
  • "We Live in India", Donna Bailey and Malcome Rodgers, MacMillan Publishing 1998
  • "Festivals in the Regions and Seasons of India", Navneet Publications India Limited
  • "My Class at Diwali", A Franklin Watts book
  • "Diwali", Asha Patel, Ready to Read Learning Media, Wellington, NZ
  • "Rangoli", School Journal, Part Two Number Four 2005. Learning Media
  • "Brothers and Sisters Day", School Journal, Part One Number two, 2006
  • Rangoli - Art of India