Hanukkah – Light Story

Overview

Year Group: Lower KS2 (Year 3 and Year 4 mixed)
Class Size: 25 students
Duration: 45 minutes
Unit: Jewish Festivals and Traditions (Lesson 4 of 6)
National Curriculum Link:

Religious Education Programme of Study (England, non-statutory guidance):
Key Stage 2 - Understanding Christianity and other World Religions: Pupils should learn about beliefs and practices, including how festivals and rituals express beliefs and identity. Explore key stories and symbols that are significant in different faiths and discuss their meaning and significance.
Relevant Attainment Targets:
- Describe and make connections between different religious beliefs and practices (AT1)
- Understand how festivals reflect beliefs and cultural identity (AT2)

Lesson Title

Lesson 4: Hanukkah – Light in the Darkness

Learning Objectives (WALT)

WALT: Explore the story of the Maccabees and the value of freedom of worship.
Learn why the oil lasted eight days during Hanukkah.
Understand how lighting the Menorah is an important tradition.

Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

Explain the story of Hanukkah and the Maccabees in their own words.
Describe the meaning of the Menorah and why it is lit during Hanukkah.
Participate in lighting a Menorah and discuss the symbolism of light.

Resources Needed

Simplified story text and picture book about the Maccabees and Hanukkah (dyslexia-friendly format, large font, clear visuals)
A real or model Menorah with candles (battery-operated candles recommended)
Printable activity sheets with a Menorah outline for colouring
Simple diagram showing the oil lasting eight days
Whiteboard or flipchart and markers
Craft materials for extension activity (paper, card, colours, scissors, glue)

Lesson Structure

1. Starter (5 minutes)

Activity: Gather the class in a circle and show the Menorah. Ask: "What do you notice about this object? What might the candles represent?"
Use simple questions to elicit prior knowledge about light and celebration.
Display an image of the Hanukkah Menorah alongside related symbols (dreidel, gifts).
Differentiation: Use visuals and hands-on objects to support understanding for all learners, including those with low attainment or missed foundations.

2. Teaching Input (10 minutes)

Story Time: Read aloud the simplified story of the Maccabees, focusing on:
- Who the Maccabees were
- How they fought for the right to worship freely
- The miracle of the oil lasting eight days
Visual Aid: Show pictures illustrating the story scenes and the Menorah with eight candles.
Use a whiteboard summary with key words: freedom, miracle, light, oil, eight days
Dyslexia-friendly: Use coloured overlays for text, clear fonts, and speak slowly; encourage children to follow the text with fingers.

3. Group Activity (15 minutes)

Hands-on Menorah Lighting: In small groups (5 groups of 5 children), give each group a model Menorah with eight (battery-operated) candles. Guide them to "light" one candle at a time, explaining that one candle is lit each night of Hanukkah to remember the oil’s miracle. Each group lights a different number of candles representing the days.
Discussion: After lighting, ask: "Why do you think light is important in this festival? What does it remind people of?"
Differentiation: Provide step-by-step visual instructions laminated for students who need extra support.
Teaching Assistants (if available) to support students who need encouragement or physical help.

4. Independent Task (10 minutes)

Activity: Children complete a colouring sheet of a Menorah and write (or dictate) one sentence explaining the significance of the Hanukkah candle lighting tradition.
Use word banks on the sheet with words like light, freedom, oil, eight, miracle to scaffold writing.
Extension: Advanced learners design their own new holiday symbol representing light or freedom. They draw and write a short explanation.

5. Plenary & Assessment (5 minutes)

Recap key learning points by asking pupils to share one new thing they learned about Hanukkah or the Menorah.
Use a thumbs up/down to assess understanding of the significance of Hanukkah traditions (success criteria).
Collect their colouring sheets and holiday symbol designs for informal assessment of understanding.

Differentiation Summary

Learner Type	Strategies	Resources/Support
Low Attainment	Use visuals, simplified story, group activities, word banks for writing	Dyslexia-friendly text, oral instructions, TA support
English as Additional Language (EAL)	Use key vocabulary visuals, repetition, bilingual support if available	Picture dictionary, key words on display
Advanced Learners	Extension task: design a new holiday symbol with explanation	Extra craft materials, opportunity for presentation
Physical/Sensory Needs	Battery-operated candles, clear space, extra time as needed	Adapted materials, adult support
Dyslexic Learners	Simplified, coloured text; visuals; oral storytelling	Coloured overlays, ear defenders if distracting noises

Notes for Teachers

Emphasise the universal values of freedom and hope.
Use light as a metaphor to engage emotional and sensory learning (e.g., compare light in the classroom, outside).
Reinforce that Hanukkah, as with many festivals, is about family, tradition, remembering important stories, and celebrating hope.
Ensure a calm, supportive environment especially for students needing extra encouragement or with reading difficulties.

Curriculum Links Summary

Religious Education Key Stage 2:
- Understanding important religious stories and festivals.
- Explore symbols and rituals that express religious meaning.
- Empathising with people of faith and recognising diverse beliefs.

By following this plan, pupils will gain a culturally sensitive and age-appropriate understanding of Hanukkah and its significance, fulfilling the National Curriculum aims for Religious Education in Lower KS2.