Learning objective
- To understand why candles are used during Hanukkah.
Success criteria
- I can identify what is important to
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Religious Education Council Curriculum Framework for RE in England (non-statutory guidance):
- A1: Recall and name different
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Cross-curricular links
English
Spoken language
Pupils should
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Before the lesson
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Arrange the children into pairs and display the Presentation: Retrieval race. Read each question to the children and ask them to discuss the answer with their partner. Take feedback before revealing the correct answers.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Extended-mode explainer videos
How to extend your display to view the lesson page and preseantion mode simultaneously. Choose your operating system below to watch the video
If you need further support with extending your display,
please contact [email protected].
Extended-mode explainer video: For Mac
Extended-mode explainer video: For Windows
Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support:
- Could pre-watch or re-watch the BBC Hanukkah video.
- Could use the Activity: Hanukiah candles to complete the Activity: Hanukiah outline or draw rather than write their ideas.
Pupils working at greater depth:
- Should write words/phrases on all nine of the candles; could write a sentence about why light is important at Hanukkah.
- Should talk about the different ways people celebrate Hanukkah, making links with different Diwali and Advent celebrations.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying what is important
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Vocabulary definitions
-
Hanukkah
The Jewish festival of light.
-
hanukiah
A candelabra with nine candles or small oil lamps.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
In this unit
Assessment - R&W Y2: Why is light important people?
Lesson 1: Why are lights used at special times?
Lesson 2: Who were Rama and Sita?
Lesson 3: Why and how are lights used during Diwali?
Lesson 4: How are candles used during Advent?
Lesson 5: What do candles symbolise at Hanukkah?
Lesson 6: Why are lights used symbolically?
Year 2: What can light mean at Christmas?
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 14th January, 2026
Lesson 4: Why do some Jewish people go to a synagogue?
Exploring the reasons some Jewish people attend a synagogue and what they do there.
Lesson 3: What does the Tenak say about God?
Describing what some people believe about God using Jewish scripture.
Lesson 2: What is Hanukkah?
Exploring how some Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah by learning about the story behind it.
Lesson 4: Is giving always the same?
Investigating ways of caring for others that take more effort and receive less thanks.
