Kwanzaa uses ideas from an ancient African Swahili seven-day-long harvest celebration. Kwanzaa is a holiday to remember African-American culture, community, and heritage. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. Today, some people join Kwanzaa and Christmas together to celebrate their heritage as well as their religion. Your students will love learning about this special holiday!
This unit includes many interactive activities and learning opportunities for students including reading passages about:
⭐ What is Kwanzaa?
⭐ Kwanzaa Traditions
⭐ All About the United States
⭐ America, the Beautiful
⭐ Questions about the United States of America
⭐ Symbols & Flag
⭐ Vocabulary Posters
⭐ Vocabulary Flip Flaps
⭐ Kwanzaa Tradition Writing Prompt
⭐ Just the Facts Acrostic Charts
⭐ Kwanzaa Scavenger Hunt Organizer
⭐ Fact or Fiction Activity
⭐ Plus a 5-page Flip Book
There are 3 main activities:
Vocabulary:
Introduce the 6 vocabulary words with the real-life photo posters included. You could post these posters around the classroom and have students travel around to define the words. These posters are excellent for a bulletin board display too.
Reading:
Next, have students read the passages the history and traditions of Kwanzaa and all about the United States. Since Kwanzaa first started in the United States, students will enjoy learning about America. There are questions and scenes for students to color and connect to the information. After reading the passages, have students answer the scavenger hunt organizer. These work well in centers, learning stations, and as partner work.
Activities:
There are many activities for students to complete to show what they know:
⭐ Scavenger Hunt Organizer
⭐ Questions about the United States
⭐ Fact or Fiction Activity
⭐ Just the Facts about Kwanzaa
⭐ Plus a 5-page Flip Book.
I usually have them do one page of the flip book at each center or station. They can use the articles as a reference source to help them complete the pages of the booklet. Lastly, they cut, color, and assemble the booklet. Flip up books can be glued or stapled inside their interactive notebooks, file folder, or a 12×18 piece of construction paper folded like a book cover.