Compassion through Ramadan

Learning Objectives

• Understand what Ramadan is and why Muslims fast during this month.
• Identify feelings associated with fasting and develop empathy for those in need.
• Recognise Ramadan as an important time of community, compassion, and gratitude.
• Reflect on how fasting can help people show kindness to others.

National Curriculum for England links:

• Religious Education (RE) Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7): Pupils should talk about some stories, celebrations, and festivals that are special to members of their own family and to others, including those from different faiths (Understanding Christianity and Other Faiths).
• Understanding key beliefs, teachings, and practices of religions: Recognise the significance of festivals and practices such as Ramadan that show Muslim beliefs and ways of life.
• Developing spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development: Explore how beliefs influence behaviour and feelings, including respect and compassion towards others.

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Lesson Overview

Time	Activity	Details
0-5 min	Introduction: Names of Months	Recite the names of months (Gregorian and Muslim calendar). Stop at special months (e.g. birth month). Introduce Ramadan and its significance. Explain fasting simply: “Going without food during daylight.”
5-10 min	Meet Samina: Exploring Feelings	Introduce Samina, Hanif’s sister. Present four sentences about Samina’s Ramadan experience. Using feelings faces on whiteboard, children choose the face that matches each sentence. Discuss why she feels those ways.
10-20 min	Video & Fact Gathering Activity	Watch the BBC Bitesize video "What is Ramadan and when does Ramadan happen?" twice. Children work in pairs, using printed screenshots to annotate: 3 facts, 3 feelings, and 3 questions. Alternatively, create 'Samina’s Fact Cards' in pairs from the video.
20-25 min	Story & Food Tasting Experience	Sit in a circle with a tablecloth. Read Under the Ramadan Moon aloud to the class. Offer children a date to taste and a small sip of water to connect sensory experience with the story.
25-29 min	Reflection: Compassion and Prayer	Unroll a prayer mat and read a note from Samina about her fasting and prayer. Discuss how fasting helps her feel compassion for those who are hungry and the importance of gratitude and charity (giving pocket money).
29-30 min	Closing: Ramadan Song	Listen and sing along to “Ramadan Around The World” by MiniMus-lims to celebrate and summarise learning.

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Detailed Activities

Introduction: Names of Months (0-5 mins)

• Teach children the 12 months of the year out loud.
• Mention that in Arabic, the months have different names; highlight Ramadan.
• Ask children if any month is special to them and why (e.g., birthdays).
• Explain that Ramadan is a special month for Muslims and during this month, they fast to remember people who are poor and hungry.
• Define ‘fast’ in simple terms: go without food from sunrise to sunset.

Meet Samina: Exploring Feelings (5-10 mins)

• Introduce “Samina,” Hanif’s sister who fasts during Ramadan.
• Present these sentences on the board or chart paper:
• “I am excited. It is Ramadan. I am going to fast today.”
• “I am hungry. My tummy is rumbling.”
• “I am sad. Some people are always hungry. I feel sorry.”
• “I am pleased. I fasted for a whole day. Allah is pleased too.”
• Provide a selection of feelings faces emojis or drawn expressions.
• Children come up and place the correct feeling face next to each sentence.
• Discuss each feeling to foster empathy and awareness.

Video & Fact Gathering Activity (10-20 mins)

• Play the BBC Bitesize video twice for clear understanding.
• In pairs, children use printed screenshots from the video, encouraged to annotate in three categories:
• 3 facts: e.g. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar.
• 3 feelings: How Samina or other children might feel during Ramadan.
• 3 questions: What they wonder about Ramadan or fasting.
• Alternatively, pairs create ‘Samina’s Fact Cards’ summarising her experiences and learning points based on the video.
• Encourage use of simple sentences and colourful pictures.
• Teacher supports pairs by asking open questions.

Story & Food Tasting Experience (20-25 mins)

• Gather children in a circle with a soft tablecloth to create a calm atmosphere.
• Share Under the Ramadan Moon quietly and slowly, explaining key parts.
• After the story, offer each child a date and a sip of water, explaining these are traditional foods eaten to break the fast.
• Use this sensory activity to connect children emotionally with Ramadan experiences.

Reflection: Compassion and Prayer (25-29 mins)

• Unroll a small prayer mat for authentic visual and tactile stimulus.
• Read a prepared note from Samina: “Hi everyone. I wanted to fast to obey Allah. At the end of my fast, I stood on my prayer mat and I bowed down. In my bowing, I said THANK YOU to Allah, the merciful and compassionate. I am planning to show compassion too by giving some pocket money to help others.”
• Facilitate a circle discussion: What does compassion mean? How can fasting teach us to be kind?
• Highlight the connection between fasting and thinking of others who might be hungry all the time.

Closing: Ramadan Song (29-30 mins)

• Play the song “Ramadan Around The World” by MiniMus-lims (without linking, but teacher can access through trusted educational platforms).
• Encourage children to join the singing to end on a joyful and positive note.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observation during feelings faces matching activity to assess emotional understanding.
• Review of fact, feeling, and question annotations on video screenshots to check comprehension and curiosity.
• Participation in storytelling and reflective discussion to evaluate empathy and understanding of compassion.
• Informal feedback through singing and engagement with tasting.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard or chart paper, felt-tip pens
• Printed feelings faces cards or stickers (happy, sad, hungry, pleased)
• Printed video screenshots with spaces for annotations
• Copies of Under the Ramadan Moon storybook
• Tablecloth and prayer mat (or printed picture)
• Dates (or suitable fruit alternative), small cups of water
• Sound system for song playback

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide sentence starters for children who find writing difficult during annotation activity.
• Support EAL learners with visual aids and simplified language.
• Offer alternative sensory options or no-food participation for children with allergies or dietary needs.
• Use paired work to foster peer support and confidence.

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This lesson plan provides a multisensory, emotional, and cognitive exploration of Ramadan aimed at embedding compassion through fasting. It aligns with the National Curriculum for England’s aim to develop understanding and respect for diverse beliefs and traditions at an age-appropriate level.