Celebration Invitations

Overview

In this lesson, students explore why families celebrate and what celebrations have in common (bonding, fun, traditions, sharing food and time together). Students then create a simple invitation for a special Eucharist celebration, focusing on clear purpose and friendly, respectful wording.

Learning intentions

Students will:

• identify reasons people and families celebrate (traditions, bonding, fun, passing traditions on)
• describe common features of celebrations (gathering, sharing food/meal, making memories)
• plan and create an invitation that includes key event information and a polite message

Success criteria

Students can:

• name at least three reasons families celebrate and give a short explanation for each
• list two common features of celebrations (e.g., gathering, sharing a meal)
• create an invitation with: who/what event, date/time, location, and a welcoming RSVP line
• use respectful, clear language

Curriculum links

• English (Literacy) — plan, create, rehearse and deliver structured oral and/or multimodal presentations using appropriate tone, pace, pitch and volume
• English (Literacy) — plan, create, edit and publish an informative multimodal text with correct spelling, punctuation and connected ideas
• Other (Values and Beliefs / Community and Family context) — students discuss meaningful reasons families celebrate and how traditions support connection across generations

Lesson structure (30 minutes)

1. 0–4 min · Hook (think–pair–share). Teacher displays prompts: “Why do families celebrate?” and “What makes celebrations feel special?” Students think, then share with a partner and listen for key words (traditions, bond, fun, memories).

2. 4–10 min · Whole-class discussion (teacher input). Teacher guides students to name common features of celebrations: people gather, families share food or a meal, and families make memories together. Students contribute ideas and teacher records them on the board under “Reasons” and “Features”.

3. 10–15 min · Model & clarify success criteria (invitation checklist). Teacher shows a sample invitation and reads it aloud, highlighting: event purpose, key details (date/time/place), welcoming line, and RSVP. Students use a checklist to identify what makes it clear and respectful.

4. 15–28 min · Create invitation (Canva / final copy on device). Teacher circulates, supports planning, and helps students choose wording aligned to the reasons celebrations matter (bonding, traditions, memories). Students create their final invitation directly on their iPads using Canva or a teacher-provided template, ensuring required fields are included.

5. 28–30 min · Exit ticket (show completed invitation). Students show their completed invitation to the teacher for feedback and quick assessment of understanding.

Resources

• Board/markers or slides for “Reasons” and “Features”
• Invitation checklist (printed)
• Devices with Canva or printed invitation template
• Example invitation (teacher copy)
• Timer for steps and a simple rubric strip (3 targets)

Assessment

• Teacher observation during discussion: can students name reasons and features using correct ideas?
• Checklist review during creation: event details present and language is clear/respectful
• Exit ticket: students show completed invitation to teacher for feedback and assessment of understanding

Differentiation

• Support (below average):
• Provide sentence starters: “We are celebrating because…”, “Join us at…”, “We would love for you to…”
• Offer a partially completed invitation template with date/time/place boxes
• Allow oral dictation to the teacher/partner for one key line
• Extension (above average):
• Challenge: add one extra sentence explaining how the Eucharist celebration helps families bond or create traditions/memories
• Include a specific “memory/tradition” phrase (e.g., “We look forward to making a shared family tradition together.”)
• EAL learners:
• Pre-teach key words on the board: tradition, bond, celebrate, invitation, RSVP
• Permit pointing to icons (calendar, clock, location) while filling details
• Literacy scaffolds:
• Word bank for invitation wording (respectful verbs: join, celebrate, welcome, bring, remember)
• Visual model showing layout: heading, details, message, RSVP

Example invitation (for teacher/model)

INVITATION: EUCHARIST CELEBRATION You are warmly invited to celebrate the Eucharist with our family.

Date: ________ Time: ________ Location: ________

We are celebrating together to share time, strengthen our family bond, and create traditions and memories we can pass on to children.

RSVP: Please let us know by ________ Contact: ______________________

We look forward to celebrating with you.

Assessment evidence for teacher

• Completed invitation with required details and respectful, clear purpose
• Observation of students showing their completed invitation and explaining key features