Holi - 27th March
Links
activities
Hinduism links
BBC links
External links
Classroom activities
The meaning of Holi (Key Stage 1)
Explain the meaning of Holi and the legends which lie behind it. Pupils could make cardboard cut-outs to retell the story of Prahlad and Holika. The Prahlad and Holika worksheet may help with this activity.
Hindu worship (Key Stage 2)
Watch a video extract which looks at the Hindu idea of God in many forms. If possible, show and discuss some shrine figures.
Explain that many families choose a particular deity or form of the one supreme God to worship, including Krishna, Lakshmi and Ganesha, the elephant-headed god.
Ask pupils to choose a shrine figure, investigate what they are holding or wearing, and explain why. As a class, share findings and collate results. The Hindu Gods and Goddesses sheet may help with this activity.
Ask the children to draw a picture of themselves which shows their many different roles and interests, for example wearing different hats or clothes, or holding different objects, showing the many sides and characteristics that one person can have.
Whilst exploring Hindu religion it may also be interesting to explore the Hindi language and its script, Devanagari. The Hindi language worksheet is designed to support this activity.
Religious expression through colour (Key Stage 2)
Look at how colour is used by different faiths to express religious feelings and ideas: for example in stained glass windows or Buddhist mandalas. Look at examples of Indian artefacts.
Mix powder paints with pupils and paint pictures of bonfires or of people with painted faces.