All of the kindergarten classes in my school do this unit in December. We study one holiday each day by reading a story and doing an art project. At our holiday party we eat one special food from each of the holidays. This unit was developed a few years ago by some wonderful colleagues at my school.
Christmas
book: The Night Before Christmas
project: Making paper stockings (the children trace a tagboard stocking tracer onto red construction paper, glue on some cotton at the top, write their name in glue and sprinkle glitter on it).
Hanukkah
book: Latkes and Applesauce by
The Chanukah Guest by Bernard Most
project: Make latkes.
Las Posadas
book: 9 Days to Christmas by Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida
Pancho's Pinata by Stfan Czernecki and Timothy Rhodes
project: Making a pinata which will be broken at our holiday party.
La Befana
book: The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePoala
project: After discussing the concept of miracles, the children write a story - "It would be a miracle if __________." Each child gets to share their story with the class.
St. Nicholas Day
book: A Gift From St. Nicholas adapted by Carole Kismaric
projects: 1. Each child writes a wish list.
2. As a group activity, we wrap up a gift (lifesavers) in several boxes within boxes. Then, we read clues as we open each box, finally revealing the lifesavers.
Kwanzaa
book: Imani's Gift at Kwanzaa by Denise Burden-Patman
project: Making mkekas (placemats). We weave placemats using black construction paper and strips of green and red paper. We eat on our mkekas at our holiday party.
Holiday Party Foods
Christmas: candy canes
Hanukkah: gelt (chocolate coins)
Las Posadas: We break the pinata which is filled with candy.
La Befana: sugar cookies
St. Nicholas Day: oranges
Kwanzaa: raw vegetables (celery, carrots, etc...)
Link:
updated 11/30/01