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This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Diwali, and supports the standard of analyzing cultural traditions. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.
Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Ask students:
- What traditions does your family have?
- Why are these traditions important to your family?
Step 2: BUILD KNOWLEDGE
- Read the description on the Diwali topic page.
- Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding.
- Assign Related Reading. Have students read one of the following articles: “Language.” or “Laws and Customs” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.
Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS
Assign the Diwali Challenge and Quiz, prompting students to apply essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.
Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND
Students express what they learned about Diwali while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.
- Make-a-Movie: Create a newscast that covers a Diwali celebration.
- Make-a-Map: Make a concept map identifying different traditions people have for celebrating Diwali.
- Creative Coding: Code a flag representing a symbol of Diwali.
More to Explore
Related BrainPOP Topics: Deepen understanding of cultural events with these topics: Religion and Winter Holidays.
Teacher Support Resources: