Understanding Fasting

Lesson Information

• Duration: 40 minutes
• Year Group: Year 3 (aged 7-8)
• Subject: Religious Education
• Topic: Fasting in Islam
• Curriculum Link: UK National Curriculum - Religious Education. This lesson introduces children to practices of different world religions, supporting SMSC (spiritual, moral, social, and cultural) development and promoting tolerance and respect for diversity.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand the concept of fasting in Islam and its role during Ramadan.
2. Explore the reasons why Muslims fast and how it fosters self-discipline and empathy.
3. Discuss the key values of fasting and relate them to their own lives.

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Resources

• Colourful slideshow presentation (with visual imagery of Ramadan, mosques, and iftar meals).
• Timeline cards showing a typical day of fasting during Ramadan.
• Pre-prepared fact cards for group discussions.
• A small bowl of dates (for symbolic discussion).
• Large sheets of paper and markers for group work.

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity: “What Do You Know?” (5 minutes)

Purpose: Activate prior knowledge and spark curiosity.

• Begin by asking, “Has anyone heard of Ramadan or fasting? What do you think it means?”
• Write their answers/ideas on the whiteboard.
• Share one fascinating fact to immediately engage their interest: “Did you know that during Ramadan, all around the world, millions of Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset?”

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2. Main Teaching Input: Fasting in Islam (10 minutes)

Purpose: Build knowledge through storytelling and visuals.

• Explain fasting: Define fasting in simple terms (e.g. “Fasting means choosing not to eat or drink for a certain time. Muslims fast during Ramadan as part of their faith.”).
• Use a slideshow to explain how Muslims fast from early morning (Suhoor) until sunset (Iftar). Include clear and age-appropriate pictures, such as a family sharing food at Iftar.
• Talk about the spiritual meaning of fasting: “Muslims believe fasting helps them grow closer to Allah, be thankful for what they have, and think of others who might not have enough to eat.”
• Interactive element: Show a small bowl of dates and explain the tradition of breaking fast with dates. Pass the bowl around and allow students to touch, smell, and ask questions.

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3. Group Activity: A Day in Ramadan (15 minutes)

Purpose: Strengthen understanding through group work and empathy-building.
Instructions:

• Divide the class into two groups.
• Give each group a set of timeline cards outlining a day of fasting (e.g., Suhoor, morning prayers, school/charity work, reading Quran, Iftar).
• Ask each group to order the cards and discuss what might be challenging or meaningful during that time of day.
• Each group presents their timeline to the class.

Teacher to guide discussion:

• “What do you think would be the hardest part of fasting?”
• “How might fasting help someone understand what it feels like not to have food every day?”

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4. Reflection Activity: Fasting Values (5 minutes)

Purpose: Encourage personal reflection and link to students' lives.

• Ask, “Apart from not eating or drinking, what do you think fasting during Ramadan teaches Muslims?” (Guide them to explore values like patience, self-control, appreciation, and helping others).
• On large sheets of paper, students write or draw one value or lesson they learned from today’s session (e.g., kindness, sharing, gratitude).

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5. Plenary: Takeaway Thought (5 minutes)

Purpose: Reinforce key messages in an age-appropriate way.

• Recap the main points: “Today, we learned that fasting during Ramadan helps Muslims grow closer to Allah, think about others, and be thankful for what they have.”
• Ask students to think of one thing they are grateful for and share with the group if they feel comfortable.

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Extension/Homework Idea

• Gratitude Diary: Ask students to keep a simple gratitude diary for one week, writing one thing they’re thankful for each day.

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Differentiation

• Support: Pair less confident readers with peers for group activities; simplify explanations using visual aids.
• Challenge: Ask confident students deeper questions about how fasting might feel or how they think it strengthens community bonds.

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Assessment

• Observe students' participation in group discussions and presentations.
• Check their understanding based on responses during the plenary and reflection activity.

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Teacher Reflection

• Did students engage with the topic meaningfully?
• Were the activities appropriate for this age group?
• What improvements could be made for next time?