Understanding Diwali

Year Level

Year 3

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

25 students

Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum v9: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – History

Content Description:
- ACHASSK064: The origins and purpose of celebrations, commemorations and landmarks (e.g., Diwali as a celebration).
- ACHASSI058: Pose questions about the past and present to investigate and reflect on past events and ways stories are told.
- ACHASSI059: Use information from sources to develop descriptions and explanations, using historical terms.
Achievement Standard:
- Students describe the significance of celebrations and compare different cultural practices.

General Capabilities

Intercultural Understanding: Recognise and appreciate cultural expression and diversity.
Critical and Creative Thinking: Reflect on similarities and differences between cultural customs.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Understand the significance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, as a cultural celebration.
Identify and describe key customs and symbols related to Diwali.
Compare Diwali with Australian celebrations, noting both differences and similarities.
Engage respectfully with cultural diversity by sharing knowledge and asking questions about celebrations.
Practice historical inquiry by gathering information from images, stories, and discussions.

Resources Needed

Picture book or story about Diwali (simplified for Year 3 level)
Flashcards or images showing Diwali customs (diyas, rangoli, fireworks, sweets)
Chart paper or whiteboard
Student worksheets with Venn diagram template for comparing celebrations
Colouring materials
Short video or digital slideshow of Diwali celebrations (pre-selected brief clips)
Interactive quiz or Kahoot on Diwali facts (optional for engagement)

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

Engage students with a question: "Have you ever seen lights everywhere in the night? What celebration could it be?"
Introduce the term “Diwali” – the Festival of Lights.
Show a colourful image or short video clip of Diwali celebrations in India and around the world.
Read a short story or picture book about Diwali, highlighting its meaning – the victory of good over evil, new beginnings, and light.
Briefly explain the significance of light, family gatherings, and special foods.

Curriculum focus: ACHASSI058 – asking and responding to questions about celebrations.

2. Exploring Diwali Customs (15 minutes)

Use flashcards or images representing Diwali customs: lighting oil lamps/diyas, rangoli patterns, fireworks, gifts, new clothes, special foods (like sweets).
Discuss each custom with simple explanations and student observations.
Invite students to share if they or their families know this celebration or similar festivals.
Highlight the importance of family and community during Diwali.

Curriculum focus: ACHASSI059 – using sources (images and texts) to describe celebrations.

3. Comparing Celebrations Activity (15 minutes)

Explain to students that Australians have their own special celebrations (e.g., Christmas, Australia Day).
Using a large Venn Diagram on chart paper or interactive board:
- Together with students, list what happens during Diwali (light, sweets, family).
- List what happens during Australian celebrations they know.
- Identify similarities and differences.
Students complete an individual worksheet with a simplified Venn diagram and drawing space, encouraging them to express what they learned.

Curriculum focus: ACHASSK064 – understanding the origins and purpose of celebrations and comparing cultural practices.

4. Creative Art Activity – Diya Decoration (15 minutes)

Provide plain diya outlines (or small paper lantern templates) for students to colour and decorate using patterns inspired by rangoli designs.
Encourage creativity and reflection on the meaning of light and colour in celebrations.
Play gentle Indian instrumental music quietly in the background to enhance cultural immersion.
As they work, encourage students to share their thoughts about the celebration and what they find interesting.

Cross-curriculum priority: Intercultural Understanding.

5. Plenary and Reflective Discussion (5 minutes)

Invite several students to share what they enjoyed learning about Diwali.
Ask, "Why do you think it is important to learn about and respect celebrations from other cultures?"
Summarise key points: Diwali is a joyful festival about light and new beginnings; celebrations help us connect with family and community.
Briefly preview the next lesson about another culture's celebrations.

Assessment (Formative)

Observe participation in discussions and responses during comparisons.
Review individual Venn diagram worksheets for understanding of similarities and differences.
Check creativity and engagement in the diya decoration activity.
Listen to students’ explanations during plenary to assess comprehension and respect for cultural diversity.

Differentiation and Inclusion

Provide sentence starters or word banks on Diwali (e.g., lights, family, sweets) for students who need support.
Use visual and tactile resources to support learners with different needs.
Encourage storytelling and drawing for students who express understanding better non-verbally.
Consider inviting a community member or family to share their Diwali experiences in a future lesson for authenticity.

Extension Activities (Optional)

Create a class Diwali display with student artwork and written facts.
Invite students to bring in photos or share stories of their family’s celebrations.
Use simple Auslan signs related to “light,” “family,” or “celebrate” to support inclusion and language connections.

This lesson is designed to foster curiosity and respect for cultural celebrations in line with the Australian Curriculum v9 Humanities and Social Sciences standards for Year 3 History, specifically focusing on the significance and customs of celebrations, and developing intercultural understanding through comparison and reflection.

Teaching Instructions