Užgavėnės Festival

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 5 students to Užgavėnės, a traditional Lithuanian festival that marks the end of winter. Through storytelling, arts and crafts, and group discussions, students will explore the cultural significance, traditional customs, foods, and celebrations linked to Užgavėnės. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England's History programme of study, focusing on understanding cultural festivals and traditions within a historical context.

National Curriculum Links

History Programme of Study: Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6)

Pupils should continue to develop chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study.
Note connections, contrasts and trends over time.
Understand the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used to make historical claims.
Understand different cultures' contributions to history and appreciate diversity.

Specific learning objectives met:

Describe and make links between historical events beyond Britain (traditions, festivals)
Recognise why people’s beliefs and experiences may be important historically
Use varied sources to gain information and understand historical context

Learning Objectives

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

Explain what Užgavėnės is and its cultural significance in Lithuania as a winter farewell festival.
Identify and describe traditional customs and symbolic activities of Užgavėnės including masks, costumes, and the “Morė” effigy burning.
Name traditional foods associated with Užgavėnės and explain their importance.
Discuss how festivals like Užgavėnės help communities mark changes in the seasons and preserve cultural heritage.
Engage creatively and collaboratively through storytelling and craft activities inspired by Užgavėnės traditions.

Resources Needed

Printed story script or video clip summarising Užgavėnės (age-appropriate)
Images/photos of Užgavėnės masks, costumes, and celebrations
Paper plates, coloured paper, feathers, string, crayons, scissors, glue
Example traditional Lithuanian recipe or food photos (pancakes called “blynai”, poppy seed pastries)
Whiteboard/flipchart and markers
Assessment sheets for reflection

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

Starter Question: Ask pupils to name festivals they know that mark changes in seasons (e.g. Halloween, Bonfire Night, Harvest Festival).
Brief Storytelling: Share a short engaging story or watch a short video explaining what Užgavėnės is — focusing on how Lithuanians celebrate the end of winter, the use of masks, and the burning of Morė.
Use visual aids to show traditional costumes and rituals.

Curriculum link: Introduction builds contextual knowledge and broadens understanding of cultural diversity beyond Britain.

Main Activities (40 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (10 minutes)

In small groups (5 pupils per group), children discuss:
- Why do people celebrate festivals like Užgavėnės?
- What might the masks and effigy represent?
- How might this festival help people get ready for spring?
Each group shares a key idea with the class.
Teacher facilitates by drawing connections to familiar seasonal traditions in the UK.

2. Mask-Making Arts and Crafts (20 minutes)

Pupils create their own Užgavėnės-inspired masks using paper plates as the base.
Encourage use of bright colours, feathers, and exaggerated facial features reflecting traditional Lithuanian masks meant to scare away winter and evil spirits.
While crafting, teacher reinforces vocabulary (eg. “effigy”, “ritual”, “tradition”).

3. Cultural Food Exploration (10 minutes)

Present the traditional Užgavėnės foods using images and brief descriptions (e.g. pancakes “blynai” symbolising the sun, poppy seed pastries).
Ask pupils to think about food in their own celebrations and share examples — comparing purposes of festival foods across cultures.
Optional: If class resources allow, share a simple pancake recipe for students to try at home (send home with pupils).

Plenary and Assessment (10 minutes)

Reflection activity: Pupils complete a worksheet or verbal quiz:
- What is Užgavėnės?
- Name two things people do during the festival.
- Why are masks important?
- What food is traditionally eaten?
- How is Užgavėnės similar or different to festivals you know?
Teacher assesses pupil understanding against learning objectives.
Display completed masks around the classroom as a cultural gallery.

Differentiation

Support less confident learners with mask templates and vocabulary word bank.
Extend more able pupils by inviting them to research and present additional facts about Užgavėnės or other Lithuanian traditions independently or in pairs.

Curriculum Impact and Skills Developed

Historical understanding: Learning about a non-British festival contributes to broader chronological knowledge and cultural awareness.
Communication: Group discussions develop speaking and listening skills.
Creativity: Mask making encourages imaginative design connected to cultural context.
Critical thinking: Comparing festivals fosters deeper understanding of cultural purpose and symbolism.
Respect & Diversity: Supports the value of cultural appreciation and global citizenship.

Teacher Notes

Highlight how festivals like Užgavėnės are part of living history, showing how traditions evolve but maintain cultural memory.
Encourage pupils to consider the universal human experience of marking seasonal change through celebration.
Reinforce cross-curricular links to geography (location of Lithuania), DT (craft skills), and PSHE (community and respect).

This lesson plan delivers an immersive and culturally rich experience aligned with KS2 History objectives while being accessible and engaging for Year 5 pupils. The carefully balanced blend of storytelling, discussion, and hands-on creativity aims to inspire curiosity and deepen appreciation for global cultural traditions.

Teaching Instructions