Islamic Festivals Intro

Overview

This 30-minute session introduces Year 7 students to key Islamic festivals, focusing on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, their significance, traditions, and community importance. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England in Religious Education, fostering understanding of religious beliefs, practices, and their role in cultural identity.

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National Curriculum Links

• Key Stage 3 (Year 7) — Religion and beliefs, teachings and sources, practices and lifestyles, ways of expressing meaning, and values and commitments.
• Specific Objectives:
  • Investigate and understand diverse religious celebrations and their meanings (NC RE KS3).
  • Develop respect and understanding for different faiths and cultures (NC RE KS3, SMSC development).
  • Use religious terminology and concepts appropriately (NC RE KS3).

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Describe the significance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha within Islam.
2. Outline some of the main traditions and practices associated with these festivals.
3. Explain why these festivals are important to Muslim communities.
4. Engage critically in discussion to reflect on the role of festivals in fostering community and identity.

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Resources

• Short, age-appropriate video (5-6 minutes) explaining Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations.
• Whiteboard or notebook for note-making.
• Printed prompt questions for discussion.

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (5 minutes)

• Aim: Activate prior knowledge and curiosity.
• Ask: “Can you name any festivals that are important in different religions?”
• Record brief answers; accept all contributions to build an inclusive atmosphere.
• Introduce focus: “Today, we will explore two important Islamic festivals and why they matter to Muslims around the world.”

2. Video Exploration (7 minutes)

• Watch the selected video on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
• Instructions prior to viewing: “Watch carefully and think about what these festivals celebrate and how they are celebrated.”
• After watching, prompt brief immediate recall: “What two festivals did you learn about? What stood out to you?”

3. Guided Discussion (10 minutes)

• Use printed prompt questions to explore meaning and significance:
  • What event does Eid al-Fitr mark in the Islamic calendar?
  • How do Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, and why is sacrifice important?
  • Why do you think these festivals help bring the Muslim community together?
  • How do these festivals reflect the values important in Islam?
• Extend discussion to compare briefly with non-Islamic festivals they may know — emphasise respect and common themes (e.g., celebration, community, gratitude).

4. Reflective Task and Assessment (5 minutes)

• The student writes or verbally shares 3-4 sentences answering:
  “Why do you think religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are important to communities?”
• Teacher assesses understanding through:
  • Use of appropriate terminology (e.g., Eid, Ramadan, sacrifice, prayer).
  • Grasp of key concepts (celebration, community, spiritual meaning).
  • Engagement and willingness to reflect thoughtfully.

5. Plenary (3 minutes)

• Summarise key points from discussion.
• Highlight that in the next lessons, they will explore other festivals and deepen their understanding of how religion shapes culture and identity.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Support vocabulary with clear definitions and visuals during video and discussion.
• Encourage expression in written or spoken form as preferred.
• One-to-one setting allows tailored questioning and pacing for deeper understanding.
• Provide extension questions for higher-level thinking if student is advanced or interested (e.g., "How do you think festivals help maintain faith identity in diverse societies?").

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Cross-Curricular Opportunities

• English: Developing communication skills through discussion and reflection writing.
• PSHE/SMSC: Exploring cultural respect, empathy, and community values.
• Geography: Linking festival origins to countries with significant Muslim populations.

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Teacher’s Reflection (Post-Lesson)

• Did the video engage the student and promote curiosity?
• Were discussion questions effective in deepening understanding?
• Was the student able to use religious vocabulary appropriately?
• How did the student respond to reflection tasks?
• Adjust subsequent lessons to the student’s prior knowledge and interests observed today.

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This lesson balances knowledge acquisition with critical reflection and personal engagement, fulfilling the curriculum’s aims to develop thoughtful, respectful learners.