Kwanzaa

The Kwanzaa celebration begins on December 26 and lasts for seven days. During Kwanzaa, African Americans remember their ancestors and celebrate the values that hold their communities together. Full color.

A celebration of African-American cultural heritage for the very young.

How an African-American family observes this cultural holiday.

The Story of Kwanzaa is a primary level reader offering a good, visual introduction to the origin and tradition of Kwanzaa. It should be used both to teach and reinforce academic skills as well as to introduce and reinforce basic cultural enrichment objectives.

Celebrate Kwanzaa continues the spectacular Holidays Around the World series by focusing on this African-American holiday, which falls during the festive, gift-giving season and is celebrated by families, communities, and schools throughout America. With succinct, lively text and beautiful photographs, the book celebrates African-American culture and helps us to understand and appreciate this special holiday. Over the course of seven days, African Americans, families and friends, come together to light the candles that symbolize their past and future--and their unity. They gather as a community to make music and to dance; to feast on harvest foods and the good things of the earth; and to exchange simple, often homemade, gifts. Readers are introduced to the symbols of the holiday, such as the mkeka (a special placemat), kinara (candleholder), and kikombe cha umoja (unity cup). Important concepts, like the seven principles, are explained. In addition, a note from the book's consultant, aimed at parents and teachers, puts the holiday in its full cultural and historical perspective. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Foreword - Larry E Frase The Function of Curriculum in Schools A Template for Curriculum Construction Aligning the Curriculum Auditing the Curriculum

The author of Happy Happy Kwanzaa pairs colorful artwork with lyrical text that explains the significance of each day of this important holiday. Includes one large flap per spread.

Upset because his birthday falls on Christmas and will therefore be eclipsed as usual, and worried that there is less money because his father is out of work, eleven-year-old Chris takes solace in the carvings he is preparing for Kwanzaa, the Afro-American celebration of their cultural heritage.