Search

In this article, the authors relate how they decided to offer their fifth graders a one-day celebration in honor of Diwali, one of the most popular Hindu festivals in India, enjoyed by people of every religion. They combined learning about the tradition with Indian music and film, art-making, special foods, and dance performances. Their students prepared for the festival by first learning some cultural background information such as traditions, clothing, and Hindi words and phrases. Further preparations included learning a north Indian stick dance called a "Raj," Their students also learned about the Indian festival traditions and made clay "diyas," tiny oil lamps that give their name to the Festival of Lights.