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Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture Lesson PlanKwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture Lesson Plan
Publisher
Diane Venzera
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
K - 3rd
Subjects
Social Studies & History
2 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
1 day
Instructional Strategies
Direct Instruction
3 more...
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture

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This Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture lesson plan also includes:
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Kwanzaa is the focus of a three-part lesson plan that celebrates the history and traditions of the holiday. Before lighting the Kinara, scholars listen to a read-aloud of Seven Candles of Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Learners express their creativity with a hands-on activity that reflects one of the holiday's seven principles. A traditional pie is baked and enjoyed among peers. 

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Concepts

kwanzaa, holiday celebrations, winter holidays, Holidays, african american culture, african american history, african americans, family, culture, swahili, candles

Additional Tags

social studies

Instructional Ideas

  • Instead of lighting actual candles, create a Kinara with felt and make small flames that learners can place on the candle as a symbol of lighting it 
  • Move desks to make several small tables, add table cloths and dinner wear for a more festive ambiance while pupils enjoy dessert 
  • Invite a family who celebrates Kwanzaa to speak to your class about the holiday and their traditions 

Classroom Considerations

  • The lesson contains some religious content
  • Review classroom allergies prior to bringing in food
  • Coordinate with the school's cafeteria to use their equipment for baking 
  • Kwanzaa starts on December 26th and runs through January 1st 

Pros

  • Gives pupils a choice in which creative activity they wish to complete
  • A brief background on the holiday is provided 
  • Lesson instructions are written clearly and easy to follow

Cons

  • None

View 17,407 other resources for K - 3rd Grade Social Studies & History

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