Learning Outcomes
Explore family traditions and cultural celebrations from around the world, reflecting on our shared humanity through humor and generosity. Appreciate the spirit of Eid and the universal values celebrated in festivals everywhere.
Lesson Plan Summary
Festival outfit mix-up activity, personal reflection on family celebrations, and a hands-on patch-the-pants craft that blends humor with learning.
Discussion Questions
Before Reading:
• What do you know about Eid? How do people celebrate it?
• Which festivals do you celebrate with your family? What do you enjoy the most?
During Reading:
• What does Ismat want to do for his family?
• What problem does he face with the pair of trousers he purchased for himself?
• What does each family member try to do? Why don’t they tell each other?
After Reading:
• What went wrong—and what went right?
• How does this story show that all families like to surprise and care for each other?
• No matter where we live, what race or belief we follow—don’t we all love to laugh, give,
and feel included during festivals?
Activities
1. Festival Outfit Mix-Up (Art & Drama): Draw or design a traditional outfit for a festival—but let friends secretly alter parts of it. Reveal the final look in class for laughter and reflection.
2. My Family’s Festival Traditions (Writing or Drawing): Ask students to illustrate or write about how they celebrate their favorite festival with their family.
3. Patch the Pants (Math + Art): Use paper trouser cutouts and scissors to measure, cut, and reattach with creative patchwork. Introduce basic measuring skills.
Explore other Zamasama festival stories that pair beautifully with Ismat’s Eid,
The Best Doll Festival Ever! (set in Tamil Nadu, South India during the Navratri Festival)
The Ok Om Bok Festival (a Vietnamese Khmer celebration of thanksgiving and moon
worship), all celebrating food, joy, culture, and universal connection.
Easter Cookies in Bethlehem: A neighborly act of kindness ensures Easter is
celebrated—with cookies, compassion, and community—in the heart of Bethlehem.
SDGs Aligned
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Emotional well-being through joyful stories
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Learning about diverse traditions
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Promoting understanding across cultures
SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 10
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: The story contributes to emotional well-being by using humor and familial love to foster joy and a sense of belonging.
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: It introduces young learners to global cultural traditions and festivals in a fun, accessible way—broadening their worldview.
- SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: By showing how families from different cultures celebrate similarly, the story promotes empathy and understanding, breaking down cultural barriers.
Expected Outcomes
Students will:
- Explore family traditions and celebrations across cultures
- Reflect on how humor and kindness are shared human experiences
- Understand that all families try to show love & caring—even in funny or flawed ways
- Learn about Eid and its values of giving, generosity, and joy