The Kwanzaa Coloring Book Lesson Plan

The Kwanzaa Coloring Book Lesson Plan

Essential Question

How do you African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa?

Grade Level:

K, 1, 2-3^rd grade

Time Allotment

2 days

Background

       Kwanzaa is a happy and spiritual holiday for African-Americans. The word Kwanzaa means "first" in Swahili, a language used in Africa, and has to do with harvest. Not all African-Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, and it has no ties to any religion. The main purpose or focus of Kwanzaa is to strengthen the African American families. This celebration lasts 7 days starting on December 26 and ending on January 1. There are seven principles to live by that are celebrated during the 7 days of Kwanzaa. One principle is celebrated each day. The seven principles are then to be lived throughout the year to unify the family.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are Umoja (oo-MOH-jah) meaning unity, Kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-uh) meaning control of your own life, Ujima (oo-jee-MAH) meaning working together and responsibility, Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH) meaning sharing money and profits, Nia (NEE-ah) meaning having a purpose or reason, Kuumba (koo-UM-bah) meaning to be creative, and Imani (ee-MAH-nee) meaning having faith. African American families are encouraged to talk about these principles and learn from the past, so that they can understand what they are going through now, and what they could do in the future to make things better.

In celebrating Kwanzaa families spread the straw mat, Mkeka (M-kay-cah) on a table of rmantle. Then they place the Kinara (kee-na-rah), the seven candle candlestick holder, in the center of the Mkeka. They place seven candles (Mishumaa Saba) in the kinara. The candles should be red, black, and green. Next they place the ears of corn, Muhindi (Moo-hee-dee), on either side of the Mkeka. There is always one ear of corn for each child in the family. The last thing they do is creatively place the gifts (Zawadi), unity cup (Kikombe Cha Umaja), soil and water (Tambiko), and a basket of fruit on the Mkeka. Many families also hang a flag for black liberation facing east.

Resources Needed

Kwanzaa Coloring books

Kwanzaa Books

Crayons

Chart Paper

Markers

Mini Kwanzaa Coloring Book Sheet

Procedures:

KWL K is for writing what they know. W is for writing what they want to know. L is for writing what they have learned. Write the word the Kwanzaa on the chart paper. Ask your student to tell you what they know about the holiday. Write the responses on the chart paper. Afterwards write the questions what do want to do on the boards and write the student’s response under the questions. Help them put something on the chart paper based on the idea that Kwanzaa is a celebration. These pieces of chart paper should be referred to after every other procedure or at least daily

READ A LOUD Read ten minute from a Kwanzaa book and have the students discuss the story.

MAKE A BOOK Split up the class into seven groups and give each one of them a mini coloring book sheet. Have the groups construct the mini Kwanzaa coloring book and help the students stable the pages of the book.

THINK/PAIR/SHARE Pass out crayons and The Kwanzaa Coloring Book to each student. Now tell the students the person next to them will be their partner. Ask the students to open the coloring book to the first principle of Kwanzaa, Umoja. Have students discuss the principle with their partner. Tell them to color the principle in manner than means represents the principle. Give them time to do it and walk around talking to students about the principle. Have the student repeat the process for the other principles.

KWL Ten minutes before the class ends stop the students and tell them to finish coloring the principles at home. Also, send the parent’s letter home that can be found in the appendix. Inform the students that they will color the symbols on the next day in class. Afterwards, write the word the letter “L” on the chart paper. Ask your students to tell you what they have learned about the holiday today. Write the responses under the letter.

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References:

Burden-Patman, D. (1992). Imani's Gift at Kwanzaa: teacher's guide. The Children's Museum: Boston.

Cech, M. (1991). Globalchild: Multicultural resources for young children. New York: Addison-Wesley.

Dever, M. (1995). Giving Thanks. Lesson Plan for Edith Bowen: Utah State University.

MelaNet Home Page (1994). Kwanzaa Information Center. New Perspective Technologies Company: Jordan Family Enterprises Company. On line: Retrieved on

September 21, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.melanet.com/

Retrieved on September 21, 200 from the World Wide Web: http://www.melenet.com/melanet/kwazaa/kwanzaa.html

Lazenby, J. R. Lesson Plan - kwanzaa retrieved from September 21, 2007 from the World Wide Web:\\ http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/Byrnes-celebrations/kwanzaa2.html

Pitts Water, M. (1989). Have a Happy... a novel. Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books: New York.

Obatiaye Karmau

617Crossfield Court

Raleight, NC 29675

December 1, 2008

New World Press

5626 Platte Dr.

Ellenwood, GA 30294

Dear Parents:

We, as a class, are learning about a holiday that some African-Americans celebrate. One of the purposes of the holiday, Kwanzaa, is to learn to be united as families. Your child has been reading about Kwanzaa and coloring in The Kwanzaa Coloring Book.

More importantly, they have learned things about holidays that can make your family stronger. The homework assignment for tonight is for them color in The Kwanzaa Coloring Book and discuss the holiday with your child. Please send this note back after your child has completed the assignment.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Kathy Honeycutt