Lent Purple Meaning

Overview

This 20-minute lesson for Year 3-4 students explores the significance of the colour purple in the Catholic Church during Lent. It directly supports the New Zealand Curriculum values, principles, and key competencies such as thinking, relating to others, and using language, symbols and texts. The lesson aligns with the Social Sciences learning area focusing on identity, culture and organisation, as well as the key competencies and values expected for this age group.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Identify and describe objects in the church that use the colour purple during Lent.
• Understand why the colour purple is used during the season of Lent in the Catholic Church.
• Express their understanding creatively and reflectively through art and prayer.

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Curriculum Links

New Zealand Curriculum Alignment

• Learning Area: Social Sciences (Identity, Culture and Organisation)
• Achievement Objective: Understand that culture and heritage shape people’s identities and ways of life.
• Key Competencies:
  • Thinking — to explore meaning and symbolism.
  • Using language, symbols, and texts — to express ideas through drawing and prayer.
  • Relating to others — sharing ideas and cooperating in group work.
• Values:
  • Respect (for cultural and religious traditions)
  • Diversity (learning about beliefs different from own)
• Supports a strengths-based, inclusive, and culturally responsive curriculum approach (incorporating tikanga Māori perspectives sensitively where applicable)【1:2-3†New Zealand Curriculum.html】 .

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Success Criteria

• I can name objects in the church that are purple during Lent.
• I can explain why purple is used during Lent.
• I can create a simple artwork related to Lent using purple.
• I can join in a simple prayer focusing on the meaning of Lent.

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation Strategies
3 mins	Starter Task: Think-Pair-Share Question	“What does the colour purple make you think of?” Students think individually, pair up to discuss, then share with class. The teacher guides students to link answers to feelings and symbols.	Use sentence starters (e.g., “Purple makes me feel…”). For ELL/dyslexic students, provide a word bank with colour-related feelings and symbols.
5 mins	Introduction: Purple in the Church	Show visuals (photos/drawings) of the church during Lent highlighting purple on objects such as altar cloths, vestments (robes), candles, and banners. Teacher explains purple is a special sign of Lent, a time of preparation and reflection. Use simple language linked to values like respect and patience.	Provide labelled images. Use real fabric samples if possible to touch and feel. Pair stronger students with those needing support for guided discussion.
5 mins	Activity: Lent Purple Colour Art	Children create a simple artwork using purple — e.g., drawing a church altar with purple cloth or making a purple paper chain representing Lenten days. Encourage sharing personal ideas about sacrifice, waiting, or thinking about others, linking to Lent themes.	Provide visual and verbal instructions. Use large crayons/markers for fine motor support. Allow drawing or cutting shapes according to ability. Offer printed templates with purple areas for tracing.
4 mins	Group Reflection and Prayer	Gather students in a circle. Lead a short prayer explaining how purple helps us remember Lent’s meaning — time for being kind, helping others, and thinking deeply. Invite response: "How could we show Lent in our lives?"	Use simple, repetitive sentence structures. For students with language barriers or dyslexia, include a visual prompt or gesture-based prayer. Allow whispering or quiet personal reflection.
3 mins	Exit Question	Quick oral quiz or show-and-tell:

• Name two items in the church that are purple during Lent.
• Why is purple used at this time?
  This checks understanding and reinforces learning. | Allow oral answers, drawings, or pairing with a buddy for support. Use multiple-choice format if required.|

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Extension for Advanced Learners

• Invite students to research or tell stories about other church seasons and their colours.
• Challenge them to write a short sentence explaining the symbolism of purple for a display or to share with the class.

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Dyslexia-Friendly and Inclusion Notes

• Use clear fonts and larger print on any handouts or visual cards.
• Provide colour-coded visuals to support vocabulary understanding.
• Use multimodal teaching: visuals, oral explanations, hands-on activity.
• Allow paired work to support diverse learning and English language learners.
• Emphasise positive encouragement and respect for all contributions.

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Materials Needed

• Visual aids/photos of the church during Lent highlighting purple.
• Purple craft paper, crayons, or markers.
• Sample fabric swatches or images showing church items in purple.
• Printable worksheet or templates for drawing or colouring.
• Prayer text poster or visual prompts.

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This lesson plan provides a concise, engaging exploration of the purple colour’s meaning during Lent in the Catholic Church tailored for 20 Year 3-4 students and in line with New Zealand Curriculum principles and key competencies. It includes supportive and extension strategies to meet diverse learner needs and encourage respectful cultural understanding.

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If you would like, I can also provide a PowerPoint outline or worksheet templates for this lesson.