Our Big Book of Celebrations- Autumn Term

Our big book of Festivals and Celebrations

By FS2
Autumn 2021

Diwali-
The Festival of Light

Diwali

In Reception we have been learning about Diwali, the Hindu and Sikh festival of light.
Many things represent Diwali such as Diva lamps, Mehndi and Rangoli Patterns.

We read the story of Rama and Sita and how Rama saved Sita from the Demon King Ravana.

I make candles and have fireworks at home.
(Ishraj)

Rama is kind because he saved Sita.

(Sienna)

Diva Lamps

Diva lamps are important because they helped guide Rama and Sita back home with the light shining from the candles.

We tried making our own Diva lamps using clay.
First we had to make the clay soft by rolling and squeezing it. Then we had to shape the clay with our hands. We then left it to dry so that they clay becomes hard and we can decorate them.

The clay is so soft!

(Olivia)

Look at our concentration skills! We had to listen and watch an adult to see how to make our own Diva lamps.
Some of us shaped the clay in different ways such as circles, ovals, hearts and teardrop shapes.

I can squeeze it! Look I've made it.
(Habib)

Time for decoration!

We used paintbrushes to carefully paint our Diva lamps using the colour yellow. Everyone took a vote and chose this colour as it is bright and like the candle light that guided Rama and Sita home.

The glitter is sparkly like the Diva lamps!
(Ishraj)

Now we need to wait for the paint to dry.
We wonder what the Diva lamps will look like when they are dry. Will they be sparkly? Will they be bright?

Rangoli Patterns

Miss Coady drew Rangoli pattern stencils in the playground and we had to work together to colour them with chalk.
We worked as a team to create beautiful Rangoli patterns, which are used to decorate homes during Diwali.

Everyone loved this so much that they tried to create their own Rangoli pattern designs!