Key Vocabulary Christian Someone who believes in the Christian Faith

Good Friday When Christians reflect on the day Jesus died on the cross Easter Sunday When Christians celebrate Jesus rising again and going to heaven

Muslim Someone who believes in the Islamic Faith Ramadan The ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims do

not drink or eat in daylight hours. Eid An Islamic celebration at the end of Ramadan, end of fasting.

Fasting A time when you don’t eat or drink.

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Year 1 – Spring 2 – Excellent Engines

How and why do we celebrate special and sacred times?

This unit looks at celebrations, why they are important and ways in which different religions celebrate their special festivals. Children will look at how Christians celebrate Easter and learn about the Easter Story, They will learn about the Islamic festivals Ramadan and Eid and how Muslims celebrate and

show their faith to Allah.

Objectives • To identify a special time you celebrate

and describe its importance. • To describe how a festival is celebrated. • To know why Christians celebrate Easter. • To tell stories connected with Easter and

say why these are important to Christians • To suggest meanings for some symbols

used in the Christian celebration of Easter

• To describe what happens and what is being celebrated at Eid‐ul Fitr and Ramadan.

Key Questions

• Which times are special and why? • Why are festivals important to religious communities? • Is it better to express your beliefs in arts and architecture or in charity and generosity? • How can people express the spiritual through the arts?

Key Content

• Celebrations happen all over the world and for lots of different reasons. You might celebrate a birthday, a wedding or a religious festival.

• Among Christians, Easter is a celebration of Jesus Christ returning from the dead. Christians believe that it is the holiest day in the year. Some people who are not

Christians celebrate it as the beginning of Spring. Easter is not held on the same date every year.

• The mood of the daily events change across the Easter weekend. Good Friday is a day of reflection, where they prayer for Jesus when he died on the cross. Easter Sunday is the day

when Christian celebrate the rise of Jesus. • Christians use symbols to reflect and remember this special time for their faith. People

celebrate by eating Hot Cross Bun which have a cross on the top of them to remind them of Jesus. People give chocolate eggs to friends and family. Eggs are a symbol of new

beginnings.

• Ramadan is a time when Muslims fast during the daylight hours. They won’t eat or drink again until it is dark. During Ramadan Muslims spend longer than normal reading the

sacred book, the Qur’an, and thinking about god. Ramadan is a time when Muslims feel

hungry, it helps to think about people who don’t have enough food. • Eid-ul-Fitr (Eid) is a festival that happens at the end of Ramadan. It is a joyous festival

and marks the end of fasting. There is a service with prayers. Family and friends meet and exchange gifts.

Home Learning Suggestions

• Plan a celebration with your family e.g. a birthday party or just showing someone that you care.

• Have a go at making your own Hot Cross Buns. • Look at the similarities and differences between Easter/Lent and Ramadan and Eid.