Classroom Resource

What Is Kwanzaa?

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

K, 1

Overview

This is a collection of lessons that can be used to help students understand Kwanzaa. Students watch a brief documentary and view images related to the holiday as an introduction to Kwanzaa. Students compare and contrast images of Kwanzaa with images of Christmas and Hanukkah. Students are also asked to view an image and use that image to describe Kwanzaa to someone unfamiliar with the holiday. Be sure to click "Read More" at the top of the collection to view the lesson that can be used with this collection.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): KG

SS10.K.6

Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.K.6

Vocabulary

  • compare
  • contrast
  • culture
  • celebration
  • tradition

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Individuals, families, and communities mark special days or events in a variety of ways.
  • Cultures are celebrated in different ways.
  • Cultures follow a variety of traditions.
  • Vocabulary: celebration, tradition, culture

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify celebrations and traditions within their culture.
  • Recognize celebrations and traditions of other cultures.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are cultural similarities and differences among individuals, families, and communities.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 1

SS10.1.11

Identify traditions and contributions of various cultures in the local community and state. (Alabama)

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.1.11

Vocabulary

  • identify
  • traditions
  • contributions
  • cultures
  • Kwanzaa
  • Hanukkah
  • Christmas
  • Fourth of July
  • Cinco de Mayo
  • cultural foods

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Techniques for identifying traditions and contributions of various cultures in the community and Alabama.
  • How to compare cultural similarities and differences (for example, celebrations, food, traditions).
  • Vocabulary: traditions, contributions, cultures, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo, cultural foods

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Describe traditions of various cultures.
  • Describe contributions of various cultures.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are traditions of various cultures in the local community and Alabama.
  • Various cultures have made important contributions to the local community and Alabama.
Link to Resource
https://learninglab.si.edu/collections/what-is-kwanzaa/RkA4WAXm2B3yetqq#r

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Smithsonian
Accessibility
License

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.si.edu/Termsofuse

Approved Date

mgsaboyd
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