Light | Winter | Plants | Growth | Shadow | Energy | Sunlight | Change

Establish that light is often an important symbol in winter festivals:

• Bright lights at the Hindu festival of Diwali symbolise the victory of light over darkness

• During Hanukkah, Jews light the nine-candle menorah to commemorate the ancient miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight nights

• Christmas celebrations feature festive light displays and Christians refer to Jesus as ‘the light of the world’

• For many cultures, the winter solstice can also symbolise warmth and hope during the darkest time of the year

In an outdoor space, establish that light is also very important to plants because they use it to make the energy they need to grow.

Encourage pupils to observe how plants look different in winter compared to summer. Discuss that many plants enter a state of ‘dormancy’. For example, deciduous trees shed their leaves to slow their growth and save energy, similar to the way some animals hibernate. Evergreen plants keep their leaves throughout the year but also grow more slowly. The leaves and stems of some plants die back completely in winter, leaving just the root systems alive underground.

Show pupils pinch pot candle holders made from clay and explain that we will be using a variety of winter plant material to create patterns and textures on its surface.

1. Knead a small amount of clay it until it is soft and pliable. Roll it into a ball between your palms
2. Slowly press your thumb into the centre of the clay until it is about half way through the ball
3. Keeping your thumb in the centre, use your fingers and thumb to pinch out the shape of the bottom of your pot, rotating the clay as you pinch
4. Now put your fingers inside the pot and pinch the sides upward and outward
5. When you are happy with the shape, use a damp sponge to smooth over any cracks
6. Select natural materials to press into the sides of the pot to create a pattern or texture on the surface
7. Leave to dry for 24-48 hours

Differentiation

• Pupils can create the candle holder more simply by using a rolling pin to roll the clay flat. Add textures using plant materials and then mould the clay inside a small container to give it shape
• Pupils consider how to use the patterns or texture on the surface of their candle holder to represent the symbol of light
• Pupils research the process of photosynthesis
• Pupils research other religious festivals associated with light that take place at different times of year

Ask pupils to reflect on how they could use their candle and holder as a symbol of warmth and hope. Is there somewhere dark they would like to place it? Or someone in need they would like to give it to? Their suggestions can be a real or imagined.