Chanukah: Light and Legacy

Lesson 1: Introduction to Chanukah – The Festival of Lights

Year Group: 3
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 31 students
Subject: Religious Education (RE)
Unit: Chanukah: Light and Legacy (Lesson 1 of 6)

National Curriculum Alignment

This lesson supports the following National Curriculum for England - Religious Education key aims and learning objectives for Key Stage 2 (Year 3):

Pupils should:
- Know about and understand religions and worldviews, recognising their impact on individuals, communities and cultures.
- Describe and make connections between different aspects of religion, recognising similarities and differences.
- Reflect on questions of meaning, belief, purpose, and ethics.
Specific Learning Outcomes (Year 3) from RE Programmes of Study:
- KS2 Understanding Christianity / Judaism: Understanding religious stories and their meanings.
- Recognise the significance of light as a symbol in religious practice.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

Recall the story of Judah Maccabee and the miracle of the oil associated with Chanukah.
Explain why Chanukah is called the Festival of Lights.
Understand the symbolic meaning of light during Chanukah, focusing on themes of hope and survival.
Reflect on how festivals help communities celebrate values and history.

Key Vocabulary

Chanukah / Hanukkah
Judah Maccabee
Menorah (Chanukiah)
Miracle of the oil
Festival of Lights
Hope
Survival

Resources

Storybook or video animation of the Chanukah story (child-friendly version).
Large illustrated timeline or storyboard of the Chanukah events.
Image or replica of a Menorah (nine-branched candleholder).
Paper, crayons, and worksheet with questions and drawing prompts.
Interactive whiteboard or projector.

Lesson Structure

1. Engage and Connect (10 minutes)

Begin by asking pupils: "Have you ever heard of the festival called Chanukah? What do you know about it?" Use this to assess prior knowledge.
Show an image of the Menorah and explain it is the special candleholder used in Chanukah celebrations. Ask: "Why do you think candles and light might be important in a celebration?"
Explain that today they will hear a special story about why Chanukah is also called the Festival of Lights.

2. Explore the Story (15 minutes)

Tell the story of Judah Maccabee and the miracle of the oil in a captivating, age-appropriate way. Use expressiveness, repetition and visuals to support understanding.
Highlight key moments:
- The oppression of the Jewish people.
- Judah Maccabee’s courageous leadership.
- The rededication of the Temple.
- The oil lasting eight days instead of one – the ‘miracle’.
Display the timeline/storyboard and invite pupils to sequence the parts of the story themselves.

3. Discuss Symbolism and Significance (10 minutes)

Guide a class discussion:
- Why was the light from the candles important in the story?
- What do you think the light might stand for? (Hope, survival, faith)
- How do lights help us remember important things today?
Introduce the idea that light is a symbol of hope across many cultures and religions, linking to what they already know if possible.

4. Reflective and Creative Activity (8 minutes)

Give pupils a worksheet with two parts:
- Draw a Menorah with all eight candles and the ‘shamash’ (helper candle).
- Write or dictate a sentence about what light means to them, guided by prompts such as: "Light makes me feel..." or "Light helps us remember..."
Circulate to support as needed and encourage thoughtful responses.

5. Plenary and Assessment (2 minutes)

Invite a few pupils to share their sentences or drawings with the class.
Summarise: "Today we learnt why Chanukah is called the Festival of Lights and why light is such an important symbol of hope and survival."
Inform pupils next lesson they will explore how families celebrate Chanukah today.

Assessment Opportunities

Formative: Through questioning and discussion, check pupils’ grasp on the story and symbolism.
Written/Creative: Review drawings and sentence responses for understanding of light symbolism and recall of story elements.
Oral: Observe pupil contributions during plenary for engagement and comprehension.

Differentiation

Support: Provide sentence starters or word banks for pupils who need help writing.
Challenge: Ask more able pupils to consider how symbols like light can have different meanings in other religions or cultures, encouraging deeper connections.

Links to SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural Development)

Spiritual: Reflecting on the meaning of light and hope as symbols of resilience.
Moral: Understanding courage and standing up for beliefs (Judah Maccabee).
Social: Recognising how traditions unite communities.
Cultural: Appreciating a Jewish festival celebrated worldwide, promoting respect and tolerance.

Extension Idea (Optional Homework)

Ask pupils to talk with their family about any special celebrations involving light (e.g. candles on birthday cakes, Diwali lights) and bring back something to share next lesson.

This lesson plan embodies the spirit of the National Curriculum by promoting knowledge, reflection, and respect for one of the key religious festivals in Judaism and helping pupils build a well-rounded understanding of faith, tradition, and symbolism.

Teaching Instructions