Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

islamic festivals

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: islamic festivals

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about islamic festivals. Then check against the key terms: RS Exam Tips — Islamic Festivals, UK Context, UK Context. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: RS Exam Tips — Islamic Festivals, UK Context, UK Context.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: islamic festivals. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Religious Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Explain two Islamic festivals.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about islamic festivals.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: islamic festivals

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on islamic festivals. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: The two main Islamic festivals are Id-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) and Id-ul-Fitr (Festival of Fast-Breaking). Shi'a Muslims also observe Ashura , commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husayn.
RS Exam Tips — Islamic Festivals: 1. For Islamic Festivals questions, always include specific scriptural or source references where relevant 2. Explain both religious and non-religious viewpoints 3. Use specialist vocabulary precisely (e.g. terms from the specification) 4. Evaluate by analysing strengths and weaknesses of different views before reaching your conclusion 5. Link your discussion of Islamic Festivals to its real-world impact on believers and society
UK Context: In 2023, the East London Mosque hosted over 10,000 worshippers for Id-ul-Fitr prayers, with additional prayer spaces set up in local parks. The mosque also distributed 2,000 free meals to the local community, regardless of faith, as part of the Id celebration.
UK Context: Islamic Relief UK’s qurbani programme distributes meat to over 2 million people in 30 countries each year. British Muslims can pay for qurbani online, specifying where the sacrifice should take place, with many choosing to have it performed in conflict zones or areas affected by famine where the need is greatest.
UK Context: The London Ashura procession, which passes through central London each year, is one of the largest Shi’a religious observances in Europe. In 2023, approximately 5,000 people participated, with the Metropolitan Police providing a safe escort and road closures.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: Explain two Islamic festivals.

Answer: 1) Id-ul-Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice, celebrated during Hajj. Muslims sacrifice an animal to remember Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son at Allah's command. The meat is shared between family, friends and the poor. It teaches obedience to Allah and generosity. 2) Id-ul-Fitr — the Festival of Fast-Breaking, marking the end of Ramadan. Muslims attend special prayers, celebrate with food and gifts, and pay Zakah al-Fitr so the poor can also celebrate. It is a joyful thanksgiving for the strength to complete the fast.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: islamic festivals

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: RS Exam Tips — Islamic Festivals, UK Context, UK Context. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Q1: Explain two Islamic festivals.

Answer: 1) Id-ul-Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice, celebrated during Hajj. Muslims sacrifice an animal to remember Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son at Allah's command. The meat is shared between family, friends and the poor. It teaches obedience to Allah and generosity. 2) Id-ul-Fitr — the Festival of Fast-Breaking, marking the end of Ramadan. Muslims attend special prayers, celebrate with food and gifts, and pay Zakah al-Fitr so the poor can also celebrate. It is a joyful thanksgiving for the strength to complete the fast.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: islamic festivals

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Exam-Style Question

Attempt a past-paper style question on islamic festivals from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.

Exam Tips: Always refer to specific sources of authority (scripture, sacred texts, religious leaders) | Explain contrasting beliefs — different views within and between traditions | Use key terminology precisely (e.g. tawhid, atonement, sanctity of life) | For 12-mark evaluation questions, consider both sides before reaching a justified conclusion | Link beliefs to their impact on individuals, communities and society | Acknowledge diversity — no religious tradition has a single, uniform view
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often think jihad means "holy war." Wrong: "Jihad means holy war." Correct: "Jihad means "struggle" or "striving." Greater jihad is the internal spiritual struggle to live as a good Muslim. Lesser jihad is armed struggle, which has strict conditions and is a last resort."
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how islamic festivals connects to another Religious Studies topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of islamic festivals
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in islamic festivals?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)