Details and Share
Kwanzaa Art
Students will discuss the 7 principals of Kwanzaa and then draw pictures of an example of each.
Grade Level: 3 - 7th
Subject:
Length of Time: 30-40 Minutes
Objectives & Outcomes
Students will analyze the principals associated with Kwanzaa. Students will demonstrate understanding of the principals of Kwanzaa through art.
Materials Needed
- Kwanzaa worksheet (attached)
- Kwanzaa Principles explanation (attached)
- Coloring supplies
Procedure
Opening to Lesson
- Teacher asks students what they know about Kwanzaa.
- After student discussion, read this summary.
- Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration in the United States that celebrates aspects from Culture across Africa. During the celebration, families light candles each night for 7 nights and discuss the principals of Kwanzaa.
Body of Lesson
Modeling
- Put a copy of the principles of Kwanzaa on the overhead.
- Read the first principle, Unity, and the definition.
- As a class discuss what it means to strive for unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
- Draw a sketch of an example of unity. This can be done in 1 color and very basic.
- Examples:
- Draw classroom students working together on a project.
- Draw a family helping clean after dinner.
- Draw a family at a piano recital of another student.
Guided Practice
- Have students work in groups, partners, or individually to discuss, write examples, and draw a sketch of each of the rest of the principals on the worksheet provided.
Independent Practice
- Have students choose their favorite principle and draw a nice picture of it using crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
- Optional: If you are interested in making this a display board, you may want to assign principles to the students or monitor how many students do their final drawing of each principle so that they are evenly distributed.
Closing
- Talk about what the most important principle is.
- Ask students what their favorite example was.
See our Guide to Teaching Holidays.
Assessment & Evaluation
Students will complete an art project.
Modification & Differentiation
The teacher can provide small group or on-on-one instruction. Students can also work in partners.
Download Attachments
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