Lauren Anderson
2 Grade- Woodlawn Community School
nd
Social Studies Festivals of Lights Lesson 2
Resources
 Photos, pictures, games, and artifacts from Kwanzaa celebration
 Children’s books on Kwanzaa
 Song Celebrating Kwanzaa by Marla Lewis
o Music
o Lyrics written out on chart paper
 Chart paper
 Markers
 http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org
 24 paper plates that have a T on one side and a F on the other for True/False
assessment
Children’s Literature
Chocolate, Deborah M. Newton. (1990). Kwanzaa. Children’s Press.
Ford, Juwanda G. (2000). Together for Kwanzaa. Random House Books for Young
Readers.
Otto, Carolyn B. (2008). Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Kwanzaa: With
Candles, Community, and the Fruits of the Harvest. National Geographic Children's
Books.
General Comments
The emphasis of this lesson is to introduce Kwanzaa, the 7 principles of Kwanzaa, and
the importance of light in celebrating Kwanzaa. The intent is for the children to learn
about Kwanzaa and how it is celebrated. If possible the teacher should dress in
traditional African kaftans (pull-over robe). This lesson will most likely take more than
one day, so make sure to take time when teaching the lesson.
General Purposes or Goals
To help students (1) know that Kwanzaa is celebrated between December 26th and
January 1st of every year, (2) understand that Kwanzaa is an African American and PanAfrican holiday which celebrates family, community and culture, (3) know the 7
principles [Nguzo Saba] of Kwanzaa [Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia,
Kuumba, Imani], (4) understand that lights are important in the celebration of Kwanzaa,
(5) know that a Kinara is the candle holder and is symbolic of the roots of African
Americans, (6) know that Mishumaa Saba are the Seven Candles and they are symbolic
of the Nguzo Saba.
Main Ideas to Develop
 Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated between
December 26th and January 1st of every year that celebrates family, community and
culture.
 There are 7 Nguzo Saba (principles) of Kwanzaa which are Umoja (unity),
Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility),
Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani
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Lauren Anderson
2 Grade- Woodlawn Community School
nd
(faith).
 Lights are important in the celebration of Kwanzaa- there are 7 candles called
Mishumaa Saba and they represent the Nguzo Saba, these candles are placed in a
Kinara which is a candle holder that represents the roots of African American people.
Starting the Lesson
Begin the lesson by listening to and then singing Celebrating Kwanzaa. Talk about the 7
Nguzo Saba. Write down the principles on chart paper and underneath write the
definitions of the words according to the song. Have children help figure out what the
principles are and what the definitions are (may refer back to lyrics of song that have
been written out on chart paper).
Suggested Lesson Discussion
Okay boys and girls, now that we have listened to and sang Celebrating Kwanzaa, can I
have some volunteers to help me write down the 7 principles of Kwanzaa on my paper
here? (Have volunteers raise their hands, call on children one by one.) Write out the
principles as said by the children, leaving space between the words.
Good, now lets use the song to help us figure out what each of these principles means.
i. Umoja (Unity)
a. To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and
race.
ii. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
a. To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for
ourselves.
iii. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
a. To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s
and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
iv. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
a. To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to
profit form them together.
v. Nia (Purpose)
a. To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our
community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
vi. Kuumba (Creativity)
a. To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our
community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
vii. Imani (Faith)
a. To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our
leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Summarize
 Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated between
December 26th and January 1st of every year that celebrates family, community
and culture.
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Lauren Anderson
2 Grade- Woodlawn Community School
nd


There are 7 Nguzo Saba (principles) of Kwanzaa which are Umoja (unity),
Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility),
Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani
(faith).
Lights are important in the celebration of Kwanzaa- there are 7 candles called
Mishumaa Saba and they represent the Nguzo Saba, these candles are placed in a
Kinara which is a candle holder that represents the roots of African American
people.
Assessment
True/False – Give each student a T/F plate and explain that they should hold up the T
side when they think a statement is True and the F side when they think a statement is
False.
 There are 10 principles of Kwanzaa. (F- There are 7- Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima,
Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, Imani.)
 The principles of Kwanzaa are called the Nguzo Saba. (T)
 Lights are used to celebrate the principles of Kwanzaa. (T)
 Kwanzaa is celebrated during the summer. (F- Kwanzaa is celebrated from
December 26-January 1 of each year.)
 Candles are held by a Kinara during Kwanzaa celebrations. (T)
 There are only 4 candles in a Kwanzaa celebration. (F- There are 7 candles in a
Kwanzaa celebration; one for each Nguzo Saba.)
Home Assignment
Encourage students to share with their families what they have learned about Kwanzaa.
Have students complete a survey at home by asking family members various questions.
Also have students share following letter with their families.
Dear Family,
Today our class learned about the 7 principles of Kwanzaa as well as the importance of
lights in the celebration of Kwanzaa. Please ask your child to tell you a bit about what
he/she learned today. Also, for homework each student in the class needs to ask his/her
family members questions from the following survey. Please assist your child in
completing the survey. Thank you!
Hotep,
Ms. Anderson and Ms. Hartsig
Kwanzaa Survey
1. Have you or anyone you know celebrated Kwanzaa? If so, please describe the
experience.
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Lauren Anderson
2 Grade- Woodlawn Community School
nd
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. What is your previous knowledge of Kwanzaa?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Are there any questions you would like to ask about Kwanzaa that we can address
in this unit?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4
Lauren Anderson
2 Grade- Woodlawn Community School
nd
Celebrating Kwanzaa
Marla Lewis
From our roots deep in Africa
Springs the greatness of who we are
Habari gani – now what’s the news?
There’s a celebration!
Seven Principles, seven days
We light kinaras and sing in praise
Teach traditions and ancient ways
Hailed for generations (foundation)
Kwanzaa – we’re celebrating Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa – celebrating Kwanzaa
First, Umoja means unity
Family and community
Second Kujichagulia
Self determination
Third, Ujima, collectively
We solve our problems responsibly
Fourth, Ujamaa, prosperity
Through cooperation
Kwanzaa – we’re celebrating Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa – celebrating Kwanzaa
Next is Nia, so purposeful
We feel the power within us all
Kuumba means creativity
And anticipation
Last, Imani means faith and trust
In our leaders and each of us
Seven Principles, wise and just
Give us inspiration
Kwanzaa – we’re celebrating Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa – celebrating Kwanzaa
Umoja, Kujichaguli, Ujima, Ujamaa,
Nia, Kuumba, Imani
(REPEAT)
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