Samhain: Ancient Persia
Persian culture, Shahnameh heroes, and Zoroastrian wisdom while studying geometry and ecosystems.
UU Principle Focus
2nd Principle: Justice, equity, and compassion
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Introduction to Ancient Persia
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Persia was known for beautiful gardens. The word 'paradise' comes from Persian!
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to Persian culture and Zoroaster.
📐 Math
Introduction to geometry: points, lines, rays.
🌿 Science
Trees: types, parts, growth rings.
✏️ Form Drawing
Persian tile patterns
🧶 Handwork
Begin Samhain crafts
📖 Story
Zoroaster and truth vs. lies
📺 "Just Can't" Day – Free Resources
🎬 Videos
🎥 Shows
🎧 Audio
See Supply List for optional purchases
Week 2: The Shahnameh: Rostam
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Rostam was Persia's greatest hero. What qualities make someone a hero?
📚 Language Arts
Read about Rostam from the Shahnameh.
📐 Math
Angles: measuring with protractors.
🌿 Science
Fungi and decomposition.
✏️ Form Drawing
Persian tile patterns
🧶 Handwork
Continue candle making
📖 Story
Rostam and his horse Rakhsh
📺 "Just Can't" Day – Free Resources
🎬 Videos
🎥 Shows
🎧 Audio
See Supply List for optional purchases
Week 3: Rostam and Sohrab
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Why is knowing our family important?
📚 Language Arts
Read the tragic tale of Rostam and Sohrab.
📐 Math
Triangles: types and angles.
🌿 Science
Ecosystems: how living things work together.
✏️ Form Drawing
Persian garden designs
🧶 Handwork
Memory boxes
📖 Story
Rostam and Sohrab
📺 "Just Can't" Day – Free Resources
🎬 Videos
🎥 Shows
🎧 Audio
See Supply List for optional purchases
Week 4: Persian Gardens & Paradise
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Persian gardens represented paradise on earth. How can we create paradise?
📚 Language Arts
Research Persian gardens and their symbolism.
📐 Math
Quadrilaterals: squares, rectangles, parallelograms.
🌿 Science
Plant communities.
✏️ Form Drawing
Design your own garden
🧶 Handwork
Build a model garden
📖 Story
Tales of Persian gardens
📺 "Just Can't" Day – Free Resources
🎬 Videos
🎥 Shows
🎧 Audio
See Supply List for optional purchases
Week 5: Honoring Ancestors
🕯️ Hearth Circle
At Samhain, we remember those who came before us. Who are your ancestors?
📚 Language Arts
Write about a family member or ancestor.
📐 Math
Review geometry. Calculate perimeter.
🌿 Science
Review botany: from roots to ecosystems.
✏️ Form Drawing
Persian border for Samhain
🧶 Handwork
Finish crafts; ancestor altar
📖 Story
Zoroastrian tales of honoring the dead
📺 "Just Can't" Day – Free Resources
🎬 Videos
🎥 Shows
🎧 Audio
See Supply List for optional purchases