KS1 Topic: Celebrations Block D: Festivals of Light

Session 4 Firework & Light Dance
Early Learning Goals / EAD EUM&M ELG 16 Chn safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
EAD BI ELG 17 Chn represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role play and stories.
CL L&A ELG 1 Chn listen attentively in a range of situations. They listen to stories, accurately anticipating key events, and respond to what they hear with relevant comments, questions or actions
UW P&C ELG13 Chn know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.
PD M&H ELG 4 Chn show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements
Teaching Objectives / To appreciate & respect the diversity that exists in the world
Resources
Information sheets covering: Firework poem & Hanukkah, Diwali and Eid song words. Musical instruments. Art from Sessions 1 2. / Weblinks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEG_XDcqUdo – Ring of fire Catherine Wheel firework; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsKnPDeU9vI - Firework display, (long clip watch 30 seconds- 1 minute); http://www.classical-music.com/article/six-best-pieces-music-firework-night - Choose a piece of firework music to suit your class;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-Glow-Sticks-Connectors-Bracelets/dp/B0030K71V8
- Glow sticks.
Whole class: For this session you will need a large space, e.g. The school hall, together with access to an IWB. Start session by saying to chn: Over the past few sessions you have been learning about festivals of light! Can you remember which ones? Today you will be creating a dance. It will be a special firework &light dance, as in Hanukkah, Diwali & Eid-ul-Fitr fireworks light the night´s sky to celebrate having hope & light & goodness in the world. Refer to the information sheet with the Firework poem (session resource) and read it to the chn then say: Can you tell me what happens when you light a firework? Let´s see! Everyone crouch down and light an imaginary firework. What happens? (Flames start to reach out, sparks fly out and it soars into the air where it explodes with colour and noise). How do the flames move? (The flames can be big and small, they can swirl at great speed, and sparks can fly out that crackle and spit). Play some suitable music (see weblink). Say to chn: Can you make your hands into little flames; wriggle your fingers and arms to the music. Let´s think about the shapes and movements of the sparks. Can you describe them? (Spiky, whirly, quick). Can you show me quick, spiky & whirly movements? Can you start in a small shape and leap up into a spiky or whirly shape? Let´s put some of these movements to firework music! Allow chn to experiment with movements and share examples. Let´s look at some real fireworks. Play firework video one and video two on the IWB and see Catherine Wheel Rockets exploding in the sky. Say to chn: Can you describe the movements? (The Catherine Wheel uses turning, fast, swirling movements, The Rocket straight, fast, zooming movements). Let´s try to become Rockets and Catherine Wheels!
Group work:
Children can work with a partner and put their movements into a dance. Ask chn to start as flames, making small movements and gradually making your movements larger. Decide if you want to become Catherine Wheels or Rockets. Remind chn that they have to have happy faces and dance with enthusiasm as they are celebrating light! Allow chn to rehearse before the final performance to firework music. Give chn the option of using percussion instruments too, holding bells or tambourines for sound effects. To give the performance an extra impact use glow sticks (see weblink) or long pieces of yellow ribbons. Create a background firework display using the firework art from Session 1 2.
Plenary / Ask chn: Can you remember why light is an important part of Hanukkah, Diwali and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations? (For example, think about Hanukkah and the oil lamp that burnt for eight days. Diwali and the story of Rama & Sita- The Diva lights welcomed the royal procession home and how the sighting of the new moon is an important symbol during Ramadan & marks the beginning of Eid-ul-Fitr). Refer to the Information sheet with Hanukkah, Diwali and Eid song words (session resource) and sing all 3 light celebration songs from the past sessions. Perform the songs with actions to finish the block with a bang!
Outcomes / Children will:
·  Represent their own ideas in a creative firework light dance
·  Consolidate learning about the celebrations Diwali, Eid and Hanukkah
·  Develop tolerance and respect for people that have different religions

© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.

We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.