Lesson Plan Title:
Grade R Life Skills Lesson Plan: Festivals and Special Days (Arts Lesson)
Materials Needed:
– Colourful craft paper
– Crayons, markers, and coloured pencils
– Glue sticks and scissors (safety scissors for young children)
– Printouts of festival symbols (Christmas tree, menorah, Diwali lamps, etc.)
– Stickers and glitter (optional)
– Chart paper and markers for the teacher
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Recognise different festivals and special days celebrated in their community.
2. Create a piece of art representing a festival or special day.
3. Share why a festival or special day is meaningful to them or their family.
Vocabulary:
1. Festival: A special day or period when people celebrate something.
2. Tradition: A custom or belief passed down through generations.
3. Celebration: A joyful event to mark an important day or occasion.
4. Symbol: An image or object that represents a particular festival.
5. Community: A group of people living in the same area or having a particular characteristic in common.
Previous Learning:
Students have previously learnt about family and friends in Term 2, which introduces them to the concept of community and shared experiences.
Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:
– Challenge: Some students may struggle with cutting and gluing.
Solution: Provide pre-cut shapes and extra assistance or pair stronger students with weaker ones.
– Challenge: Students may have difficulty understanding the abstract concept of a “symbol.”
Solution: Use clear, concrete examples and visual aids to illustrate this concept.
Beginning Activities: (4 minutes)
– Greet the students and have them sit in a circle.
– Briefly introduce the topic by mentioning that today they will learn about different festivals and special days that people celebrate.
– Ask if anyone can name a holiday or special day they celebrated recently. Encourage a few responses.
Middle Activities: (32 minutes)
1. Direct Instruction (8 minutes):
– Use chart paper to list some festivals and special days (e.g., Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Heritage Day, etc.).
– Show printouts of symbols associated with each festival.
– Discuss each symbol and what it represents.
- Guided Practice (8 minutes):
- Demonstrate how to create a simple piece of art using festival symbols.
- Scaffold the activity by providing step-by-step instructions and showing a finished example.
- Independent Practice (16 minutes):
- Hand out craft materials to each child.
- Ask them to choose a festival they like (either from the ones discussed or any other they know) and create a piece of art representing that festival.
- Walk around the class, providing assistance and encouraging students to talk about their work.
End Activities: (4 minutes)
– Have each student briefly show and talk about their artwork with the class.
– Summarise the lesson by highlighting that we all celebrate different festivals, but they are all special to us.
Assessment and Checks for Understanding:
– Observation during guided and independent practice to ensure students understand the concepts.
– Exit activity where students share their art and explain their chosen festival and its significance.
Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:
– Provide pre-cut symbols and extra help with glueing for students with fine motor skill difficulties.
– Pair stronger students with those who may need more help.
– Allow verbal explanations for students with learning disabilities who might struggle with the art portion.
Teaching Notes:
– Emphasise inclusivity and respect for all cultures by giving equal attention to each festival.
– Encourage creativity and individual expression in the art activity.
– Prepare the room for easy access to art supplies and safe spaces for students to work.
– Consider background music related to various festivals to create a festive atmosphere.
Accessibility Considerations:
– Ensure all students, including those with disabilities, can access materials and participate in activities.
– Use larger images and clear print for students who may have visual impairments.
– Provide non-toxic, easy-to-handle art materials suitable for young children.