Year 3 – How do festivals and worship show what matters to a Muslim? – Learning pathway

About this resource

Year 3 Unit 21, ‚”How do festivals and worship show what matters to a Muslim?‚ explores the core Islamic practices and celebrations that reveal key Muslim beliefs and values. This unit helps pupils learn how Muslims express their faith through worship, festivals, and daily rituals, offering insight into the religious and spiritual life of Muslim communities.

Pupils begin by learning about the Five Pillars of Islam, especially salah (prayer) and sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and how these practices reflect obedience to Allah and commitment to the Muslim way of life. They explore the meaning behind Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, investigating how these festivals foster community, self-discipline, and generosity. Through stories, videos, and interactive activities, pupils examine how Muslims prepare for and celebrate these events.

The unit includes opportunities for pupils to handle artefacts, listen to personal stories from Muslims, and engage with mosque imagery and Islamic art. These activities deepen their understanding of Muslim worship practices such as prayer rituals, mosque attendance, and the role of calligraphy and pattern in Islamic culture.

Through enquiry-based learning, pupils answer key questions like: What do Muslims value? How do their practices reflect those values? What can we learn from Muslim traditions about self-control, faith, and celebration?

By the end of the unit, pupils are able to describe how Muslim beliefs are lived out in festivals and acts of worship. They gain respect for diverse ways of life and develop their understanding of religious expression within Islam.