Dreidel Wall Hanging

1. Students research what people of the Jewish faith do to prepare for Chanukah. Why is the holiday celebrated? Find out about the special foods, gifts, games, and songs during this celebration. What symbols and colors are associated with Chanukah? Here is one way to make a wall hanging about this holiday.
2. Use Crayola® Colored Pencils to draw dreidels and coins (called gelt) or other Chanukah symbols on construction paper. Cut them out with Crayola Scissors.
3. Decorate the Chanukah symbols with Crayola Gel Markers. Accent them with Crayola Glitter Glue so they shine. Air dry flat.
4. Decorate the edges of a large sheet of construction paper. Air dry flat.
5. Place Chanukah symbols inside the decorative border so they are balanced and unified. Attach symbols to the wall hanging with Crayola School Glue. Air dry flat.
6. Glue the top edge of the banner to a cardboard roll. Air dry flat.
7. Run ribbon through the tube. Tie in a knot. Hang the wall hanging or give it as a beautiful Chanukah gift.

LA: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

LA: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

LA: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade level topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

LA: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

SS: Describe ways in which language, stories, folktales, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence behavior of people living in a particular culture.

SS: Give examples of and explain group and institutional influences such as religious beliefs, laws, and peer pressure, on people, events, and elements of culture.

VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas.

VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas.

Possible classroom resources include: The Magic Dreidels: A Hanukkah Story by Eric A. Kimmmel; Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel; Hanukkah Moon by Deborah Da Costa; Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story by Laura Krauss Melmed

Invite a knowledgeable person to visit with the class and explain the history of Chanukah. Prior to the visit, students compose questions for the expert. After the meeting, students post new learning to a class blog.

Provide space in the classroom for students to create a display illustrating a Chanukah celebration with a menorah, dreidels, and gelt. Have a small groups of students review the rules for playing the dreidel game and demonstrate the game for the class.