Library Showcase: Celebrating Diwali

In this Nearpod Holiday lesson, students explore Diwali, India’s festival of good over evil, light over darkness. Students discover and reflect on the cultural and social significance of the event. This lesson is most appropriate for students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. It is estimated this lesson will take about 45 minutes to complete. This social studies lesson achieves a number of objectives. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to describe some general narratives and practices surrounding Diwali. They will be able to reflect on the significance of Diwali for communities who celebrate. Through open ended questioning, class polls, pair work, collaboration, in-class reading, videos, website research, a fill in the blank activity, and draw it activities, students learn about the origin of Diwali and how it is celebrated. Collaboration asks students to share any questions they have about this holiday. Open ended questioning asks students to share what they like most about Diwali. Pair work helps students to work with a partner to discuss what they know or think they know about Diwali. In-class reading tells students the history of Diwali. The videos introduce students to the story of Rama and Sita from the Ramayana. The fill in the blank activity helps students summarize key points about Diwali. The draw it activities ask students to complete a Venn diagram comparing Diwali to another holiday that uses candles or lights. The website research introduces students to 10 traditional Diwali sweets made to exchange as gifts. Through these interactive activities, students will be engaged and will develop insight about the holiday of Diwali.

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