Diyas for Diwali (India)

Multicultural Art Lesson Plans

Lesson plan developed by Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed

Activity:

Age Group:

Preschool

* Lesson plan objectives and assessments can be adapted to use this activity with school-age children

Objectives:

Children will:

express themselves through a multicultural art project based on the Indian celebration of Diwali.

CDA Competency Standard:

II.7.1a

Activities and materials encourage children to express themselves through the visual arts

a) Art materials and activities are available for children daily

Materials:

baker’s clay
small glass beads or pebbles
paint
battery operated tea light candles
the book Lots of Lights by Kavita Sahai

Procedure:

To make the clay:

Add 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 ½ cups water until a firm dough forms.
When dough is ready to be baked, bake it at 350 degrees for one hour.

For the lesson:

Read the book Lots of Lights by Kavita Sahai to the class in a developmentally appropriate way paying special attention to the illustrations of the diyas that are used during Diwali.
After the book is finished create a dialogue with students regarding the festival and the culture.
Invite children to use the clay to make their own diyas like the ones in the book.
They may wish to press the glass pebbles and beads into the clay or mold the clay and then paint it after it is baked.
After the diyas are all finished and hardened it is time to put the tea light candles in them for a classroom Diwali celebration!

Assessment:

Observe and record children’s social and emotional development through the self-expression opportunity in this activity. Did they work with peers successfully? Were they confident in their creations? Did they persevere through any challenges?

Note: Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children. Infants and toddlers require special precaution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow young children to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard.