Unit of inquiry Festivals Term 3 09

Duration: Term 3 09
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Title: Looking back and to the future in festivals Focus: A unit of inquiry festivals
Central idea: Particular festivals are celebrated around the world
Inquiry into:
• What festivals and why we celebrate them within a year.
• Preparation and taking part in festivals
• The similarities and differences in cultural festivals
• Particular festivals that are common and important to many cultures
Understanding
• People and places are in a constant state of change
• Many different factors are responsible for change in festivals
• Many different festivals are responsible for change in lifestyle
• People respond to festivals in different ways
• Our community has its own history and features that make it unique
• Buildings and the environments are protected by different communities
• People value their local community in different ways
Related values/ attitudes/Issues
During the unit of inquiry, students will be encouraged to consider their own values in relation to festivals, to compare values across generations and to question and justify their own. The unit of inquiry explores the values underpinning festivals and the tension between traditions and progress. It also explores the way our homes, school, church and community provide a context in which we form our values and shape our identity
Big idea
Change and stability, certainty and uncertainty, cultural heritage, identity, generation, lifestyle, progress, environment, conservation,


Content area outcomes:
• Identify similarities and differences in the festivals of different generations
• Interpret accounts and artefacts from different festivals
• Sequence a set of events in chronological order
• Portray a festival or occasion from a different perspective
• Describes different views of individuals and groups about issues related to the care of places
• Consider own place within the current and future communities
• Reflect on the consequences of decisions made in life and the extent to which we can or can not shape our future.

Resources
• Contact local museums, art exhibitions, churches, historical society, local councils, iwi, communities etc
• Contact guest speakers
• Collect artefacts, photos, pictures, artworks
Assessment
• Reflective journals
• Work samples to show growth over time
• Self assessment criteria to be drawn up for unit of inquiry
• Class graffiti sheet for suggestions, ideas and thoughts
• Display space for work in progress
• Camera, digital photo, video, etc
• Skills checklist
What variety of activities will be used to:
Engage all students in the unit of inquiry?
Assess prior knowledge?
Refine further planning?
Lead into the finding out experiences?
Students identify five important events/ festivals in their own lives .
Look for patterns. Introduce concept of personal festivals Individual/Small groups/ whole class
Draft definition of a festival [to be refined during unit of inquiry.]
Invite students to begin bringing in photos, pictures, artwork, food, church, and items of memorabilia. Discuss why these items are of personal value
Students to ask parents, grandparents, neighbours and friends about festivals in their lives. Bring short written statements to school
Students brainstorm and list as many places festivals take place
Begin a list of questions about the festivals .
Read and discuss books, u tube clips etc