Ask the children if they have heard of Kwanzaa and what they know about it. Materials. It shows the celebrations of Kwanzaa, its significance to the African-American people, and the holiday’s growth out of the Black Power Movement. Nowadays, families celebrate Kwanzaa in a similar way because its guidelines are officially documented and easily available. The way to achieve this, in his mind, was by creating an African-American holiday that celebrates their African heritage and cultural identity. Members receive unlimited access to 49,000+ cross-curricular educational resources, including interactive activities, clipart, and abctools custom worksheet generators. There are language arts, math, and social-emotional development resources included, and it’s all free. To find out more, see our cookie policy. Throughout the years, the celebrations of Kwanzaa emphasized African heritage and family relationships (unity). It is estimated that roughly six million people celebrate Kwanzaa in the United States each year. The holiday of Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 during the civil rights movement in the United States. Finally, another alternative is to organize a field trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. These principles are: Kwanzaa is also distinguished by seven symbols including: Although the holiday struggled to achieve recognition in the early years, slowly, spreading through the word of mouth, it became a mainstream holiday in the 1980s in the USA and beyond. Usually, an elder fills the unity cup with wine (juice for kids). Initially the holiday was meant as an alternative to Christmas, but later it was said to be in addition to other religious holidays such as Christmas. Karenga’s purpose was to provoke a Black cultural revolution and make people proud of Black history and achievements. Kwanzaa Choice Board and Blues Busters for Elementary Students, Top 10 Children's Books for Black History Month, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa Creator (Coloring Page), Favorite December Holiday Printables Slideshow, Grades K-4. The candle in the middle is typically black, whereas the three candles on the left are red, and the remaining three candles on the right are green (representing the Afro-American flag). Through the engaging Kwanzaa resources you’ll find here, your students can learn about and celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Our worksheets can be of big help when trying to compose a solid lesson plan for teaching kids about Kwanzaa, so don’t forget to check them out. After completing the equations, students will match the answers to the color key to complete their Kinara candle holder. Makka (mat), a traditional straw or woven textile. The 6th day of Kwanzaa, which falls on December 31st (New Year’s Eve), is a day of music and dancing and children usually receive gifts. It lasted for one week and left 34 people dead and 1,000 injured. Kids are an integral part of Kwanzaa celebrations. To find out more, see our, National Museum of African American History and Culture, How to Teach Kids the History of Thanksgiving Respectfully, American Revolution for Kids: Facts, Activities, and More, How to Teach Kids about Kwanzaa: https://kidskonnect.com. Considering the situation we’re currently in, we understand that a field trip might not be possible, which is why you can choose to visit the museum online, through many of the photos and videos available. See more ideas about kwanzaa, kwanzaa crafts, kwanzaa activities. Engage your students with these Kwanzaa Printable Worksheets. We hope that our article was a useful guide on how to teach and celebrate Kwanzaa with kids or students. Students explore a scrapbook to learn about the history and traditions of Kwanzaa. TeacherVision is part of the FEN Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. Some great children’s books about Kwanzaa for kids are: Another great way to introduce this holiday to children is through our interactive worksheets that can help consolidate the facts you’ve presented. Together, the seven principles make up Kawaida (meaning tradition). Most also follow the main decoration of the dining table and honor the family’s descendants. Looking at the history of Kwanzaa, one question that lingers on is – how do people celebrate Kwanzaa today? Because of its recent creation, some people see Kwanzaa as a made-up holiday, although we have many world-wide accepted holidays with only a short but significant history. Kwanzaa traditions can be fun and engaging for kids every year with these crafty, Kwanzaa themed activities. Link will appear as How to Teach Kids about Kwanzaa: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 24, 2020. It explores Kwanzaa from a toddler’s perspective when his grandma comes to visit. Kwanzaa Activities; Kwanzaa for Children. On the first day, the black candle is lit to represent all the people of African descent. 54 Top Kwanzaa Teaching Resources. Some of these activities include reading and discussing children’s books on the topic, consolidating key information through interactive worksheets or other material, watching movies, or planning a field trip to history museums (during the Covid-19 situation, virtual trips might be more appropriate). The order is said to represent the struggles and future hopes of African-American people. Students will identify main ideas and details related to the celebration of Kwanzaa. If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source. Are the above-described traditions still greatly preserved in modern celebrations, or are African-Americans embracing new ways to honor their heritage and cultural identity? Kwanzaa Lesson Plan Instructions. A Rugrats Kwanzaa (2001) is an animated television special from the television series Rugrats. Worksheets help children make connections between different terms and meanings, as well as associate the terminology with Kwanzaa symbols. These activities are sure to increase your students' awareness of other cultures and beliefs. Point out each of the seven continents. This site uses cookies to improve your experience. The celebrants use the unity cup to pour libations for the ancestors, and they drink from it … The worksheet pack includes key information needed for creating a strong lesson plan, as well as worksheets on Kwanzaa’s seven principles, symbols, and celebrations, including famous African-Americans, and even poem writing. 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