Carol’s Classroom Activity

October is Divali

The following activity comes from Carol’s book, Around the World Through Holidays (Teacher Ideas Press, 2006). It can be used to supplement curriculums of geography, social studies, math and art, generally for 4-6 grades.

BACKGROUND:  Divali (pronounced dih-VAH-lee), is a Hindu religious holiday known as the “festival of lights.” It begins the East Indian New Year. Hindus believe Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, visits homes lit by lamps. The word Divali comes from the word, “deepavali” which means “row of lamps.” The festival represents the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Our calendar is based on how long it takes earth to circle the sun. The Hindu calendar is based on the moon’s cycle. This holiday therefore does not always occur at the same time in our calendar. Generally though Divali is celebrated in October or November.

Where in the World Am I? (Geography)

Find India on a world map.  Locate the major rivers, mountains, and cities in India; find the longitudinal and latitudinal boundaries of modern day India.

Make a Flag (Math, Art)

            The flag of India has three colors.  In the center is a wheel called the “Dharma Chakra.” The wheel represents progress. The 24 spokes on the wheel represent 24 hours in a day. To make a flag of India, you will need:

¨      Sheet of 9 inch by 12 inch orange construction paper

¨      Sheet of 9 inch by 12 inch green construction paper

¨      Sheet of 9 inch by 12 inch white construction paper

¨      Circle pattern approximately 3 inches in diameter OR compass

¨      Ruler

¨      Pencil

¨      Blue felt pen

¨      Scissors

¨      Glue

Using a ruler, pencil, and scissors, measure, mark, and cut the orange and green papers into three equal lengths of paper 3 inches by 12 inches each. NOTE:  These may be cut ahead of time using a paper cutter or students may work in pairs, measuring, cutting, and sharing the paper as a math tie-in. One length of orange and one length of green paper are needed per flag.

Glue one strip of orange paper lengthwise to the top of the white paper, matching edges. Glue one strip of green paper lengthwise to the bottom of the white paper, matching edges. 

Using the ruler and pencil, locate and mark the center of the white section of paper. Trace around a 3-inch diameter circle placed at that center mark or, use a compass and pencil to draw a 3-inch circle with the compass point at the center mark. Go over the circle with a blue felt pen. Then, using the ruler and felt pen, draw 24 spokes around the center of the circle. (You may wish to find a picture of the Indian flag as a classroom sample.)

Discuss the math involved in this activity – division of paper into thirds and diameter of the circle.  Introduce the geometry of radius, area, and circumference and the number of degrees around the circle for each of the 24 spokes (360 divided by 24).