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This Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture lesson plan also includes:
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- Vocabulary
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Kwanzaa is the focus of a three-part lesson 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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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