CBBC
CBBC Newsround
Citizenship - Race, religion and identity
Pumpkins
Overview
Hallowe'en is an example of cultures borrowing from each other.
Students look at the history of Hallowe'en and devise their own inclusive festival.
select this link for a guide to Hallowe'en
Learning aims
Icebreaker
Quiz the group with these true or false questions. These are also available as an online quiz
select this link for the online quiz
1. Hallowe'en started in America.
False: It started in Europe then it travelled to America with immigrants. Then it was exported back to Europe.
2. Hallowe'en started as the Christian festival of all Hallow's eve.
False: It started 3000 years before Christianity as the Pagan festival of Samhain. When Christianity became more popular it incorporated existing pagan festivals. Samhain was renamed All Hallow's Eve.
3. Hallowe'en lanterns were first made out of turnips.
True: The Celts who originally celebrated Samhain didn't have pumpkins. They were first used by Irish immigrants in the USA who couldn't find any Turnips.
4. UK shops make more money from Hallowe'en than from fireworks night.
True: And that includes sales of fireworks.
5. In shops in the USA Christmas is the only event that makes more money than Hallowe'en.
True: It is estimated to be worth $2.5 billion.
6. Hallowe'en lanterns are supposed to scare away evil spirits.
True: The face on the pumpkin represents an evil spirit or demon.
7. Wearing fancy dress started as a way of disguising yourself from any ghosts you met.
True:If they thought you were a ghost or demon they would not attack you.
8. The treats in trick or treat were originally fruit and nuts.
True:
They were left on doorsteps to cheer up any wandering ghosts who came back to their old house.
Conclusion:
Hallowe'en has a complex history. It started as a Celtic festival. First it was taken over by the Romans then the Christians. Finally it became a key event in the calendar of capitalism.
Main activity
Devise an inclusive celebration for the end of the school summer term. It should have some meaning to offer all students. It should take account of the diversity of views to school. For example.
[A] Break students into groups that represent the differing attitudes to school.
[B] Ask them to list five things their group would like from an end of term event.
[C] A representative of each presents their list to the whole group. Students take notes.
[D] Students working individually draw up an inclusive programme for the end of term. This could be made as an illustrated pamphlet if time allows.
Extension activity
Use photographs and images from magazines, websites and newspapers to decorate the pamphlet.
Plenary
What was difficult about designing an inclusive event?
What would be the benefits of overcoming these difficulties?
What would be the good and bad points of having a series of smaller events and sending each group to its own event?
Teachers' Background
select this link for more on religious festivals
select this link for more on diversity in the UK
select this link for a guide to Hallowe'en
For all links and resources click at top right.
BBC Home