Festivals: How do ancient stories influence modern celebrations?
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Threads
Why this why now
Pupils have investigated the concept of dharma in Year 2. In this unit they learn how dharma is central to stories in the Ramayana and how Hindus celebrate Diwali today. They build on their study of incarnation and Christmas in Year 1 to look at contemporary views of Christmas and how it has different interpretations and meanings for both Christians and other religious and non-religious worldviews.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils will understand that a festival is an occasion where believers or devotees mark a special time.
- Pupils know that Christmas marks the birth of Jesus who is seen by many Christians as the son of God.
- Pupils will know that Hindus have many stories that reveal deeper meanings about the universe.
Threads
Why this why now
Pupils have investigated the concept of dharma in Year 2. In this unit they learn how dharma is central to stories in the Ramayana and how Hindus celebrate Diwali today. They build on their study of incarnation and Christmas in Year 1 to look at contemporary views of Christmas and how it has different interpretations and meanings for both Christians and other religious and non-religious worldviews.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils will understand that a festival is an occasion where believers or devotees mark a special time.
- Pupils know that Christmas marks the birth of Jesus who is seen by many Christians as the son of God.
- Pupils will know that Hindus have many stories that reveal deeper meanings about the universe.
Social science
Festivals: How do ancient stories influence modern celebrations?
In this unit pupils investigate two festivals: Diwali and Christmas. They make links between the concept of dharma and the celebrations at Diwali. They investigate how Diwali is changing in recent times. In addition, they analyse how Christmas has changed in its meaning in the UK today.
6 lessons in unit
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