As the Festival of Lights approaches, bringing Diwali into your classroom is a wonderful way to celebrate cultural diversity and educate students about this significant holiday.
Ensuring the celebration is inclusive means creating opportunities for every student to engage meaningfully with the activities.
Here’s a breakdown of 10 resources that can help you do just that—making the learning experience both educational and fun for your K-3 students.
1. Task Cards
These Task Cards are perfect for first and second graders, featuring simple passages with two 'right there' questions. The direct approach of these questions helps students focus on comprehension and ensures that even reluctant readers can succeed. The cards come with Answer Recording sheets and Answer Cards, which provide flexibility in how you use them. With both UK and US spelling variations available, you can easily adapt them to your classroom’s needs.
2. Reading Comprehension Sheets
Designed for second and third graders, these sheets feature simple passages followed by two 'right there' questions and one 'think and search' question. This mix is ideal for challenging older students while still being accessible for the whole class. The addition of Google Slides links allows for a digital option, catering to tech-savvy classrooms or remote learning environments.
3. Play Dough Mats
Play dough isn’t just for play—it’s a fantastic sensory tool that can help younger students engage with the theme of Diwali. These 8 fun play dough mats, available in both colour and black and white, can be used to create Diwali symbols like diyas (lamps) or rangoli patterns.
4. Activity Book & Fact Sheets
This 20-page activity book is packed with Diwali-themed activities tailored to K-3 students. It’s an all-in-one resource that you can use throughout the week to explore the Festival of Light from different angles—whether through colouring, puzzles, or simple writing tasks.
You'll also find these handy fact sheets helpful with any Diwali exploration activity in your classroom.
5. Paper Crafts
Paper crafts are a great way to bring the festive spirit into your classroom. These 3 Diwali paper crafts are designed to be simple enough for younger students while still being engaging for older ones. From making paper lanterns to crafting diyas, these activities bring a tactile element to your Diwali celebrations.
6. Information Flipbook
The Information Flipbook is a prefilled resource designed for first through third graders, making it an easy addition to your social studies lessons. It covers the key aspects of Diwali, from its origins to modern-day celebrations, in a format that’s easy for young students to digest.
7. PowerPoint
This PowerPoint presentation offers 15 photographic slides with detailed explanations, providing a visual and auditory way to explore Diwali. It’s perfect for introducing the holiday to your class or as a springboard for deeper discussion.
8. World Word Searches
Word searches are a fun, low-stress way to introduce key vocabulary related to Diwali. These Diwali Word Search activity sheets are not only engaging but also serve as a conversation starter about the festival’s customs and traditions.
9. Colour by Number
These Diwali Color by Number pages are a hit with students who love to colour. The numbered sections make it easy for students to create beautiful artwork that can be displayed around the classroom, adding a festive atmosphere.
10. Colour by Number Addition and Subtraction
Take your Diwali-themed activities to the next level by integrating math with these Colour by Number Addition and Subtraction sheets. Students solve the problems to reveal a hidden Diwali-themed picture, making math practice a fun and festive activity.
Incorporating Diwali into your classroom is a wonderful way to celebrate cultural diversity and teach students about global traditions. These resources offer a range of activities that cater to different learning styles and grade levels, ensuring that every student can participate in the celebration. Whether through reading, crafting, or math, your students will gain a deeper understanding of Diwali while also enjoying the festive season.
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