ENGLISH UNIT (CREATE A FESTIVAL)  

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LET'S CREATE A FESTIVAL

Language Arts for Years 5-9

WHAT IS A FESTIVAL? Discuss in Groups and Report Back

What is a festival?
Who has been to or taken part in a festival?
What festivals do you know of in New Zealand?
Share experiences orally. Where are they and when are they held? Make a class list and attach labels to a New Zealand map.
Add to map as project progresses.

Set pupils homework to ask parents and friends about festivals and to gather any pamphlets and pictures of festivals.Don't forget festivals like New Year, Christmas and family celebrations.

FOCUS ON FESTIVALS

Ask pupils why they think festivals are held. Challenge groups to come up with an extensive list of the purposes of festivals. It could even be 'just for fun' or 'to have a good time'. It may be to celebrate an important event in the local community or even a local gala day.

Class and Group ChallengeChallenge the pupils with the idea that if they are to plan and run a festival . . .

What would the festival be about? (A theme should be chosen).
What would be the purpose of the festival?
Who would be invited to participate in the festival?

Groups brainstorm and report back.Here are some suggestions to throw into the Discussion.

A Fishing Contest

Celebrating the different nationalities in our School

Food of Different Countries

Different types of Music and Dance

Film Festival, School Videos

The Opening of anything in the district or school

A local Maori legend

The Beginning of Spring

Celebrating our local Architecture

Celebrities in our Community

Celebrating Grandparents and older Friends

Living in New Zealand

Arts and Crafts

Festival of Hobbies

Technology Festival

 

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING.

Where will the festival be held? (school hall, several classrooms, library, outside)

What form with the festival take, eg. a precise time structured plan with have to be devised.

How long will the festival last?

Plan a wide variety of activities to appeal to the widest possible audience.

Involve other schools in the area by letting them know about your festival and asking for their ideas and suggestions.

Groups prepare , discuss and present detailed written plans of the festival.

Advertise your festival with flyers, posters and written invitations.

Divide the class into groups each taking responsibility for one aspect of the festival.