Decorating for Diwali

Mrs. Simons' first grade class was excited to welcome guest parent and SCA Co-President Mrs. Patel on October 27 and to learn about Diwali.

Mrs. Patel began by explaining that Diwali is a holiday that primarily originated in India, and showed everyone where to find India on a map. Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, and lasts for 5 days. Each day has a thematic name, and Mrs. Patel particularly likes Bhai Duj, the Day of love between siblings. 

Next she shared a book that explained many of the special traditions and customs.

The Patel family decorates their home during Diwali with many small, clay oil lamps called diya. The students saw samples of the small lanterns and were given their own battery-powered tea lights to usher in light. Mrs. Patel also shared a colorful string of fabric birds used as traditional Diwali decor. 

Rangoli is a meditative folk art which consists of beautiful, colorful patterns on the floor. Somtimes sand, flour, flowers and lights are used in the designs. During Diwali people may draw rangoli patterns by the entrance of their homes to welcome the gods and bring good luck. Chargers used paper plates and decorative stick-on jewels to design their own beautiful rangoli!

Find more photos here.