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Lesson Plans - Holidays

About Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa, or “First Fruits of the Harvest,” is an African-American and Pan-Africian holiday which celebrates and strengthens community, family and culture over a period of seven days. Kwanzaa begins December 26th. Each day, a principle of Kwanzaa is celebrated.

Celebrating Kwanzaa Lesson Plans

Discover the meaning of Kwanzaa and help kids learn about the history of this holiday. Plan a Kwanzaa celebration and find resources for Kwanzaa coloring sheets and more.

KWANZAA MINI-UNIT

Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration to help African-Americans remember their heritage. It is also a time of joy and sharing. The goal of Kwanzaa is to put the 7 principles into practice in their daily lives. During this week long celebration, families get together and reflect on cultural values. It is a time for reflection, joy and making promises for a better year. The African-Americans wear traditional clothing-a dashiki for the men (a shirt) and dresses for the women adorned with beautiful beads. The girls also wear a gele or turban about their head. They sing songs, tell stories and dance.
There are many symbols of Kwanzaa. The kinara is a candle holder. On each night of the celebration one of the candles in the kinara is lit. There are 3 red, 1 black and 3 green candles. The red represents the blood and struggles of Africa. The green portrays faith. The black stands for their skin color.

Kwanzaa – Lesson plan

To give intensive reading practice
To examine an aspect of the Christmas celebrations
To give pracice with working out meaning of lexis from context
To give freer speaking practice

Habari Gani? — What’s the News?

Habari Gani? Those Swahili words, meaning What’s the News?, may soon become as familiar a holiday message as Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy New Year. For Habari Gani? is the ritual greeting of Kwanzaa and Kwanzaa is the world’s fastest growing holiday.