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Kwanzaa Window Book

Students will learn about Kwanzaa and create a window cut-out book that displays the symbols of the holiday.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    In 1966 Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, created the holiday of Kwanzaa as a way to bring African Americans together as a community. Its name is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Have students learn about this seven-day holiday. Have them research the seven principles and the seven symbols associated with it. How do people observe and celebrate this holiday? What are some of the traditional foods?

  • Step 2

    Have students create a window cut-out book to illustrate and display the Kwanzaa symbols. To begin have them fold thick paper and create a cover.

  • Step 3

    Students can illustrate each symbol on a page of the book and design a window frame that cuts through to show either symbols of words from the pages beneath. Encourage them to use both the English and Swahili as they write the symbols names.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their books and discuss the principles and symbols of the holiday and how they can incorporate the principles in daily life.

Standards

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

SS: Individual Development and Identity: Describe factors important to the development of personal identity and the context of identity within families, peer or affinity groups, schools, communities, and nationalities. 

Adaptations

Invite someone who celebrates Kwanzaa, perhaps a teacher or a student's family member, to come and speak about the observance and importance of the holiday.

Have the class create a mural listing the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Unity (Umoja), Self-determination (Kujichagulia), Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), Purpose (Nia), Creativity (Kuumba), and Faith (Imani). Encourage them to reflect on ways their family and community strive to achieve these.