WinterHolidays

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Winter Holidays

ChristmasPage 3Christmas storyForeign customsGift-givingHoliday symbols

HanukahPage 7A time lineHebrew wordsPotato pancakesHoliday game

KwanzaaPage 11Seven principlesWho is a hero?Kwanzaa cardRead a fable

Can you find a story about any of these holidays in the newspaper? Write a summary.

Kwanzaa, Hanukah, Christmas: Each is a celebration in time of a people, a place and a promise.

The ways these threeholidays are alike can beseen in this special sec-tion. Although we hopestudents will respectdifferences between peoples,we also hope they will seecommon threads that runthroughout the three holidays.One of the common threads isthe dates on which the holidaysare celebrated: Christmas onDec. 25, Hanukah on Kislev 25and Kwanzaa from Dec. 26 toJan. 1

Light plays a big part in eachholiday. Christmas candles are asign of light in the darkness forChristians. The eight candles onthe Hanukah menorah symbolizethe eight days that the smallamount of oil for the light in thetemple lasted. The Kwanzaaceremony includes the lightingof seven candles, each of which represents one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

All the holidays are rooted inhistory. Students will learn the

stories behind the three holiday celebra-tions and where some of the customs

started. In addition, there are heroesin all the celebrations. Becausethere are many ways to show

how someone can be ahero, we ask students toname examples of bravebehavior. To all people, there

is a real need to remember, to loveand to share.

Students also will be given activitiesthat they can share with members oftheir families, such as recipes to cook,crafts to make or customs to introduceinto family celebrations.

We are grateful for our heritageand our history and celebrate themiracle and meaning of its manygifts — especially, the joys of deliv-erance and of being provided for.

Holidays are special days when wepromise ourselves again to live up tothe best of our words and actions —when we offer ourselves with lovedones and friends to the unity of theFamily of Man.

In the true spirit of Hanukah, Kwanzaa and Christmas, we wish all

humanity freedom, harmony and joy.

THE Topic is holidays

Check the Newspaper

Christmas is the celebration of thebirthday of Jesus. Some churches celebrate the holiday on Dec. 25, some on Jan. 6 and some on Jan. 18.

The story of Jesus’ birth is well known:

Joseph had to participate in a censusin the city of his ancestors, Bethlehem,which is in Judea. Bethlehem is alsoknown as the city of David. He took with him his wife, Mary.

In Bethlehem, there was no room forthem to stay in an inn, so they foundshelter with the animals. There Marygave birth to her first-born son. Shemade a bed for him in a manger.

Nearby, shepherds were watching theirsheep when an angel appeared to them.The splendor of the angel frightened the

shepherds. But the angel calmed them and told them to be happy because Jesus had been born. He told them tolook for a child lying in a manger.

At the same time, three kings from the East traveled to Jerusalem, followinga star that they said foretold of Jesus’birth. When they found Jesus, they gavehim gifts of gold, plus frankincense andmyrrh (two kinds of perfume).

Christmas customs go back to celebra-tions and rituals performed long beforeJesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Early Christiansused to celebrate the holiday on Jan. 6,but it was changed to Dec. 25, whichwas an ancient Roman holiday, thebirthday of the sun. In England, the celebration became known as “Christesmasse,” the church festival of Christ.

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The story of Christmas

_____ “Joy to the world! The Lord is come”

_____ “O little town of Bethlehem”

_____ “While shepherdswatched their flock by night”

_____ “It came upon a midnight clear”

_____ “Angels we have heard on high”

_____ “Away in a manger, no crib for his bed”

Christmas

Hark! The HeraldAngels Sing . . .and so do we before,during and after theholiday season. Songs,carols and hymns fill the air.

Carols tell the

story ofChristmas. Study

carefully the first lines of the following

songs, and then number them in the correct order to tell the story of Christmas.

Tell the talethrough music

Christmas has special customs — thingspeople do year after year. But not allcountries celebrate with the same customs.

THE PINATA, a large paper ornamentfilled with candies and toys, is a Mexicantradition. Hung from the ceiling, it isstruck with a stick by blind-folded childrenuntil it spills the candies and toys inside.

A simple Pinata can be made from alarge paper bag decorated with animaldesigns or crowns. The crowns remind us of the Three Kings. Streamers of greenand white symbolize the colors of theEpiphany (e-PIF-e-nee). Tied at the topand attached to a long cord, it can beraised and lowered from the ceiling until broken open by a lucky child.

In Spain, THE NACIMIENTO (nas-i-me-EN-to) or manger scene is lighted onNochebuena, or the Good Night (Christ-mas Eve). But on Epiphany Eve (Jan. 5)the custom is for families to seek theMagi (the Wise Men) by staging greatparades to the edge of the town. Foodsare carried for the Kings and their animals. The Magi are found in thenacimiento in the village church.

In England, EPIPHANY EVE is known as Twelfth Night — the last evening ofChristmas and the traditional time to takedown the holiday decorations. It is alsothe last chance to celebrate the Christmasseason. As the decorations come down,carols, games and food, includingEpiphany Cake, are enjoyed by all.

Epiphany Cake, a spice cake with whitefrosting and green crowns, has three beansbaked into it, as well as other objectssuch as a coin for wealth or a ring formarriage. The beans represent the Magi.Each person who discovers a bean in his or her slice of cake is crowned with a paper crown. The Kings of the eveninglead a festive procession while singing“We Three Kings.”

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Christmas

Christmas customs

TRACK THE CUSTOMSChristmas reminds us of the Christ Mass or thatspecial service when we celebrate the birth ofJesus Christ. Through the centuries thisreligious service has grown into a season

of fun and feasting.

Throughout the world, certain gifts or customs from otherpeople have made our Christmas more bright and beautiful.

Can you guess the place where each “gift” or custom began? Connect the place and the custom by drawing a line between the two.

The story of Christmas is called the “GoodNews.” You can send the “Good News” in the form of a greeting card. Cut a piece of newspaper 6-by-8 inches. See if you canfind a happy headline or picture to use.Glue it to a piece of plain paper the same size. Fold the paper so that the newsprint is on the outside. Write “Good News” on the cover. On the inside, write: “It’s Christmas!”

Germany

Italy

Holland

Austria

England

Mexico

United States

Plum pudding

Christmas trees

“Silent Night”

Creche (manger scene)

St. Nicholas (Santa)

Turkey dinners

Pinatas

good new

s

SPREAD SOME GOOD NEWS

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Christmas

The Custom of Giving Gifts

the roles of the saints

Incense — a valuable materialburned for its beautiful smell — wasbrought to the Baby Jesus by the WiseMen or Three Kings. What gifts will youbring to Christmas this year?

Look through your newspaper and cutout or tear out pictures and words ofgifts that you could give to others thisChristmas.

Remember that gifts are not onlythings you can wrap and put under the

tree. They can also be acts of kindnessand helpfulness as well. Newspaper adsshow all the newest things you couldgive those you love. But many stories inthe paper give ideas about gifts peoplegive by their actions — to their fami-lies,neighborhood, or school. You don’tneed money to give these gifts. Just care and imagination.

Tape or glue your gift ideas to thepackage below.

A gift received in love is a joy forever.Now you have shown what you wouldgive others, what do YOU want for Christ-mas this year?

Now is the time to write or make up yourlist. Using pictures or words from yournewspaper, tell us what you want. Maybeyou would like to mail your list to Santa.Don’t limit yourself to toys and the usualpresents. Include at least one idea or actthat would make your life more special.

make a chainIn the song, “The 12 Days ofChristmas,” we sing about the fivegolden rings given as a present.With 12 strips of colored paper,make a paper chain to hang on your Christmas tree. Beginning on Christmas Day, open one ringeach day. When you open the lastring, you’ll know that Christmas isover, and the Epiphany has come.

Epiphany (Jan. 6) marks the day theThree Kings visited the Christ Child,bearing gifts. In some countriessuch as Spain and Mexico, there ismuch feasting and gift-giving onthe Epiphany.

You might want to make your paperchain a Christmas-Epiphany gift forsomeone. To make it very special,write a loving word or message oneach strip of paper before youassemble your chain.

There are many saints at Christmas.Special people who did special and wonderful things in the past: Barbara,who helped young girls marry; Lucia,who showed forth the light of God in the darkness of life; Francis, who gaveus the Christmas manger; Nicholas, who gave secret gifts of love.

Of all these saints, Nicholas — or St. Nick or Santa Claus — is the mostfamous and loved.

His story is simple. As a young, richman in Asia, he decided to give gifts

to people secretly each Christmas. Noone knew he was the giver until hewent away forever. Then people knewwho gave them their gifts; and, theybegan to give the gifts secretly in thename of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. So even today the mystery and magic of Nicholas lives on all over the world.

How many Santas do you know? Could you list them by name?

Could you be someone’s secret Santathis year? How? What gift will you give?

Signs of Christmas are everywhere at this time of year. They all point to something important. What dothese holiday signs tell us aboutChristmas? Draw an arrow from the sign to its meaning.

Light in darkness

Welcome

Love

Guidance

Caring

Life or growth

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Many meals, and especially Christmas Dinner, make the holiday special foryoung and old. Using your newspaper (the food sections are a good place to start), cut out or tear out pictures or words of foods you would like to see on your dinner table this Christmas. Set your table below, and don’t forget the centerpiece — a special decoration in the middle of the table.

Christmas

Christmas tree: A symbol that keeps giving

Christmas wouldn’t bethe same without the

Christmas tree. It hasbeen a beautifulsymbol even forpeople whodidn’t have thekind of trees weusually use.In pioneer days

— especially onthe American Plains

— there were no evergreen trees to cutand decorate. So families wrapped

sassafras branches with cotton anddecorated them at Christmas. SomeMoravian families in Pennsylvania stillfollow this custom.

Trees weren’t always decorated with shiny balls and ornaments.

Why not have an old-fashioned familytree? String popcorn, bake cookies, wrap candies and hang fresh fruit on the branches (apples, pears and oranges —some covered with cloves). Apples werethe first ornaments used on the firstChristmas trees. Cloves remind us of thespices brought by the Wise Men. Spices

also remind us of how Christmas spicesup our life.

When your family is finished with yourtree after Christmas, you still can use itfor fun and friendship.

Cut stale bread with Christmas cookiecutters, spread it with peanut butter and dip it in bird seed. Then hang thebread on a discarded Christmas tree andput outside for birds andsmall animals. Youthen can enjoy thebeauty of nature therest of the winter!

treats for Christmas Day:Christmas Toast — Using Christmas cookie cutters, cut shapes from pieces of white bread, then butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and toast in oven.Fruit and Nut Mix — Carefully split walnuts in two and remove nuts from shell. Chop the nuts and mix with raisins and bits of dried fruit.

see the signs

lay out a christmas feast

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A MENORAH is a candle holder. We light one candleeach night for eight nights, until all the candles are lighted.We use the tall middle candle to light the others.

Here are the blessings we recite over the Hanukah Menorah:Baruch Alah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, asher

Kidshanu beMitazvotav, VeTzivanu LeHadlik Ner Shel Hanukah.Blessed are you, O Lord Our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us

through your commandments and commanded us to light the Hanukah lights.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, she’asah Nisim La’avoteinu,Bayamim HaHem Bazeman Hazeh.

Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, King of the Universe, who did wonders for ourancestors in former times at this season.

(On the first night only) Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam,She’hecheyanu V’Kiyemanu V’higiyanu Lazeman Hazeh.

Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us in life,sustained us, and brought us to this time.

Hanukah

learn the blessingsfor the menorah

A long time ago, the Jews of Israelwere ruled by cruel King Antiochus fromSyria, who wanted the Jews to believe in the Greek religion. He sent soldiers to the Jews’ most holy place, the Templein Jerusalem and made it a place ofGreek worship.

The soldiers killed many people andburned many homes. A brave Jewishman, named Judah Maccabee, led a smallJewish army — the Maccabees — in afight against the King and his soldiers.After three years, the King and the

Syrians were defeated on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev.

After the war, the Maccabees cleanedthe holy Temple in Jerusalem. Legendhas it that there was only enough oil to burn the Menorah for one day. Buta miracle happened — the oil burnedfor eight days!

We light the Hanukah menorah foreight days to recall the oil that burnedfor eight days. Hanukah means “Rededi-cation,” because the Maccabees rededi-cated the Temple and cleansed it.

The story of hanukah

King Antiochus is cruel to the Jews.

The Maccabees clean the Temple and rededicate it.

The Maccabees defeat the King and the Syrians.

King Antiochus of Syriabecomes King over the Jews.

Judah Maccabee leads the Jews in a fight against the king and army.

Read these sentences describingHanukah events and then rewrite them in the order that theyhappened in history:

write history

1. ______________________

________________________

________________________

2. ______________________

________________________

________________________

3. ______________________

________________________

________________________

4. ______________________

________________________

________________________

5. ______________________

________________________

________________________

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Hanukah

What makes a miracle?

create ahanukah card

know some hebrew words

look for heroes in everyday life

Match the Hebrew word on the left with the English word on the right:

HanukaH

Latkes

Menorah

SufganiyoT

Hag Samayach

Dreidel

Happy holiday!

Candle holder

Potato pancakes

Spinning top

Rededication

Jelly doughnuts

Here is the front for a Hanukahcard. Fold a piece of plain orcolored paper like a card. Cut outand paste this card-front to yourpaper. On the inside of the card,write your own message.

In Hebrew, we greet each other on Hanukah by saying “HagSamayach,” which means “Happy Holiday!”

A miracle is something wonderfulthat happens when we do not expectit. Some people say that the oil thatlasted for eight days instead of onewas a miracle. Some people say thatit was a miracle for the small band ofMaccabees to win the war againstthe Syrians, who were stronger andgreater in number.

What do you think is a miracle?

List what you think are miracles:

1. ____________________________

____________________________

2. ____________________________

____________________________

3. ____________________________

____________________________

HAP

PYHANUKAH

The Maccabees are called heroes,because they were brave in fighting off their enemies. Being brave inbattle is one way of being a hero orheroine.

There are other ways to be brave andbe a hero or heroine. Put an “X” nextto the things that you think a braveperson would do:

____ Rescue someone from a fire.

____ Not be afraid of an operation.

____ Break up a fight between two people.

____ Admit you did something wrong.

Look through the newspaper this weekfor examples of men or women beingheroes or heroines. Sometimes littlethings can be the mark of a hero aswell as big things.

People who over-come obstacles eachday of their life are called “everydayheroes.” How might kids be “everydayheroes.”?

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Hanukah

Here is a table almost ready for Hanukah. Draw and color in the following items. You may want to label them.

set a table for HanUkah

In Israel, the Jews eat Sufganiyot,jelly doughnuts, on Hanukah.

Another food eaten on Hanukah isLatkes, potato pancakes, becausethey are cooked in oil, as are thedoughnuts. Here is the recipe for Latkes:

3 large potatoes 2 tablespoons flour

1 small onion 1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

Makes 6 to 12 pancakes.

1. Grate the potatoes and onions and put themin a bowl.

2. Add the eggs, flour, and salt and mix well.

3. Form into pancakes and fry well on both sides in hot oil in a frying pan.

4. Eat with sour cream or apple sauce.

Latkes

Menorah

Jelly doughnuts

WHAT DO WE EAT ON HANUKAH?

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Hanukah

NUN

GIMEL

HAY

SHIN

Songs and gamesI have a

Little Dreidel

On holidays, we celebrate by singingsongs. Here is a favorite Hanukahsong:

I have a little dreidel,I made it out of clay;And when it’s dry and readyThen dreidel I shall play.

O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,I made it out of clay;O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,Now dreidel I shall play.

It has a lovely bodyWith leg so short and thin;And when it is all tired,It drops and then I win.

O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,With leg so short and thin;O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,It drops and then I win.

My dreidel is always playful,It loves to dance and spin;A happy game of dreidel;Come play, now let’s begin.

O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, It loves to dance and spin;O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,Come play, now let’s begin.

On Hanukah we play with a Dreidel,which is a spinning top. The Dreidelhas four sides, and on each side is aHebrew letter. The four letters are:

play a gameof Dreidel

1. Everyone starts with the same number of pennies, nuts, or raisins.

2. Each person puts one of these in the middle.

3. Each person spins the Dreidel. If the Dreidel lands on:

NUN: the player does nothing

GIMEL: the player takes everything in the middle

HAY: the player takes half of the middle

SHIN: the player puts one in the middle

Whoever gets the most is the winner.

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Kwanzaa

The story of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa ( KWAHN-zah ) is an AfricanAmerican celebration. This celebration is a special time when black families and friends come together, give thanksand celebrate their African heritage.

The word Kwanzaa is a Swahili (swah-HEE-lee) term meaning first fruits.Swahili is the official language of Kenyain East Africa. Celebration of harvestingthe “first fruits” or first crop is tradi-tional in Africa.

At this time of year our people inAfrica come together to share andrejoice. Everyone brings a gift he or she has made or grown to theKaramu(ker-rah-MOO). The Karamu is the feast that takes place during thecelebration. People sing, dance and tellstories. Now in the United States, wehave a Karamu during our Kwanzaa too.

This celebration is not a religiousholiday or an alternative to Christmas.Some black families celebrate bothChristmas and Kwanzaa. Some black

families celebrate only Kwanzaa. Peopledo not have to buy expensive gifts tocelebrate Kwanzaa. They can share theirtalent and kindness. The spirit ofKwanzaa is love, harmony and joy.

Here is the story of Kwanzaa:Once upon a time in a place called

California, there lived a man, Dr. MaulanaKarenga. Karenga was a scholar andphilosopher. He wanted black people to become aware of their past, their pre-sent and their future.

Studying African societies, he discov-ered that all were built upon and guidedby seven basic principles — the “NGUZOSABA” (en-GOO-zoh SAH-bah). Karengasaid that traditional societies celebratedon the last day of the harvest and gavethanks for a rich crop.

He felt that Americans of Africandescent could adopt the comingtogether of black people. Today moreand more black families come togetherto celebrate Kwanzaa.

The Nguzo Saba(en-GOO-zoh- SAH-bah)are the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Theyare written in the Swahili language. Lookat the pronunciation key after eachword. Say aloud each principle:

UMOJA — (oo-MOH-jah)

KUJICHAGULIA — (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah)

UJIMA — (oo-JEE-mah)

UJAMAA — (oo-jah-MAH)

NIA — (NEE-ah)

KUUMBA — (koo-OOM-bah)

IMANI — (ee-MAH-nee)

The seven principles of Kwanzaa havespecial meanings. Each day of Kwanzaaa principle and its meaning are discussed.

The first day is UMOJA. Umoja meanUNITY. We must come together and showlove for our family, our friends and ourcommunity.

The second day is KUJICHAGULIA.Kujichagulia means self-determination.We must control our own lives.

The third day is UJIMA. Ujima meansWork and Responsibility. We must buildup our communities.

The fourth day is UJAMAA. Ujamaameans Economics. We must have andmaintain our own businesses.

The fifth day is NIA. Nia means Purpose.We must have pride in ourselves and inour ancestors.

The sixth day is KUUMBA. Kuumbameans Creativity. We must keep ourhomes clean and our surroundingsbeautiful.

The seventh day is IMANI. Imani meansFaith. We must believe in our right toexist as a people.

The Nguzo Saba

Write about the principles of Kwanzaa. Choose one of the seven principles.Write on another piece of paper how that principle could be used to solve a problem like those found in the newspaper today. Choose another principle.Find a story in the newspaper about something that is the opposite of theprinciple. Write about how they are different.

look to the principles

During Kwanzaa children are told storiesabout some of the many black heroes:

• Shaka (SHAH-kah), founder of the great Zulu Empire in SouthernAfrica.

• Rosa Parks, who refused to sit atthe back of a bus. Her action ledto the famous bus boycott led byMartin Luther King.

• Toussaint L’Ouverture (TOO-saunt laOVER-ture), the general who wonfreedom for the Haitian slaves.

Read through the newspaper and findthree people whom you consider to beheroes.

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KWANZAA mealThe Kwanzaa meal consists of delicious and nutritious foods. Some families eat

a special Kwanzaa dinner. This dinner was created by Dr. Edward Sims who lives in Philadelphia, Pa. Each selection in the dinner represents a symbol and a color.

Blackeye peas — color is black, symbol of Africa the mother continent.Rice — color is white, symbol of the slave ships that brought black people

from Africa to America.Collard greens — color is green, symbol of rebirth and cultural awareness of

black people.Cornbread or sweet potato bread — color is orange, symbol of sunrise

of a new day.Wine — color is red, symbol of our pain and passion.Other families might eat a combination of foods that are eaten in Africa,

the Caribbean and black America.Banana Biscuits come from Jamaica, which is in the Caribbean. Here is the recipe:

Kwanzaa

The Kwanzaa ceremony involves symbols and the lighting of the sevencandles. The seven candles are red, black and green. They are called the MSHUMAA (mi-SHOO-mah). Each candle represents one of the seven principles.

The candles are placed in a woodencandle holder called the KINARA(ki-NAH-rah).

The Kinara is placed on a straw matcalled the MKEKA (mah-KAY-kah). Thestraw mat represents the foundation ofhumanity.

The Mkeka is set on a table.Other symbols on the table are:MUHINDI (moo-HEEN-dee) is the corn.

An ear of corn is placed on the tablefor each child in the family.

MATUNDA (mah-TOON-dah) is the fruit.The fruit is placed on the table to represent the harvest.

ZAWADI (zah-WAH-dee) are gifts forthe children.

KIKOMBE (kee-KOHM-bay) is the unitycup. The unity cup is filled with wine orfresh juice.

The color scheme of the setting is red,black and green. Red is the blood of our ancestors. Black is the beauty of ourcolor. Green is the growth of our land.

Each day during Kwanzaa a candle islit and a principle is discussed. After the ceremony each person drinks fromthe unity cup and says “HARAMBEE”(hah-rahm-BAY), which means “pulling together.”

KWANZAA SYMBOLS stories tell of Black heroes

Banana Biscuits

Mash bananas in bowl. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening. Addlemon juice. Make a dough with mashed bananas and flour mixture. Roll out on floured

pastry board. Cut into 2 1/2 inch rounds. Prick tops of rounds with fork and place ongreased, floured cookie sheet. Bake in hot oven (450 degrees) for 10 minutes. It makes 12 biscuits.

2 ripe bananas (peeled) 1 tablespoon of shortening1 cup of flour

1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar1 teaspoon of lemon juice pinch of salt

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plan your ownKWANZAA meal

Read the food section of the newspaper.Plan your own Kwanzaa meal. On theplate below draw and color in yourmeal. Do not forget to include yourbread and your drink.

Kwanzaa

“Big Leopard and Mother Hen”

Games are played at the Karamu (feast) during Kwanzaa. Here is a gamefrom West Africa. It is called: Big Leopard and Mother Hen.

Players needed: Five or more. One player is Big Leopard. One player isMother Hen. The other players are the baby chickens.

The chickens form a line behind Mother Hen, each holding the next player around the waist. They sway and chant: “Who is coming?”

Big Leopard stands in front of the line dancing and growling: “I am coming for you.” Mother Hen chants: “The leopard comes to catchmy babies!” At that point, the leopard grabs at the chickens, who fall to the ground when he starts to move. If the leopard catches a chicken before it falls, he takes thechicken to his den. The gamecontinues until all thechickens are caught.

matching: the seven principles of KWANZAA

Below are definitions for each of the Nguzo Saba or seven principles of Kwanzaa. Draw a line from each principle to the correct definition.

Umoja (Unity)

Kujichagulia (Self-determination)

Ujima (Work)

Ujamaa (Economics)

Nia (Purpose)

Kuumba (Creativity)

Imani (Faith)

A. the effort to make or do something

B. having to do with the management of income, supplies and expenses of a household

C. having the intention of doing or accomplishing an aim

D. coming together in harmony and agreement

E. having the ability to produce by one’s own thought and imagination

F. belief

G. making decisions for oneself

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Kwanzaa

Why the Leopard Has SpotsIn additional to games, story-telling is a traditional part of the Karamu feast. “How”

and “why” fables are stories that are used to entertain and educate people of all ages.Read the following fable from West Africa. Answer the questions below.

Long, long ago all the animals of the forest lived in huts. One day BabyLeopard asked his mother if he could go outside to play.

“You can go out, son,” said Mother Leopard. “But be careful. Do not runinto fire!”

The Baby Leopard did not know what fire was. So he said, “I amnot afraid of fire. I am a leopard!”

“Fire is stronger than any of us,” said Mother Leopard. Baby Leopard leaped and played through the forests all day. Just as the sun was setting he saw many antelopes and zebras runningtoward him.

“Fire! Fire is chasing us,” they cried. “We must go to the river!”“I am not afraid of fire! I am a leopard!” shouted Baby Leopard.The animals continued to run past him until Baby Leopard could

see them no longer.Baby Leopard ran deeper into the forest. Soon, however, the fire

was upon him.“Help! Help! Something is burning me,” screamed Baby Leopard. He

ran as swiftly as his legs could carry him. But the fire jumped and landed on his back.When he returned home, Mother Leopard rubbed his back in oil.

“Mother,” he cried, “my back is full of spots.” Ever since that day all leopards have spots to keep them away from fire. The moral is: “Rain can wash the leopard’s back, but it cannot wash out its spots”.

make a kwanzaa cardKwanzaa cards are sent to family andfriends. You can make one to send.

Cut out the African designs on this page, or draw some.

1. Fold a piece ofheavy paper to make aKwanzaa card. Glue onthe designs.

2. Write a messageusing words aboutKwanzaa. In Swahili,“hello” is “Jambo.”

Questions

1. What is a fable?

2. What is a “how” and “why” story?

3. What is a moral?

4. Read the titles below. Chooseand write a “how” or “why” story

a. “How the rabbit lost its tail.”

b. “Why the zebra has stripes.”

c. “Why the elephant has a trunk.”

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Now that you have read separate articles about three holidays celebrated in the United States during the month ofDecember, you are ready to think about all of them together:

There are some things you can do withyour class or at home. You will need thehelp of an adult for some of these activities.1. Write two paragraphs, one on how

the three holidays are similar and one on how they are different.

2. What is the message of each holiday?Discuss them in class or with your family.

3. Why do we celebrate holidays? Shareyour ideas with your classmates.

4. Look for articles in the newspaper during this month about the holidays.Be sure to check the food section forrecipes and articles on holiday foods.

5. Clip out pictures and words from thenewspaper that make you think of

Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa.Make a collage out of them by gluingthem onto a large piece of plain paper.

6. With your teacher’s help, design a bulletin board to show the threeDecember holidays.

7. Make a candle and give it as a gift to someone you care about. You maywant to be a secret giver. You will needhelp from your teacher, your parents oranother adult:

Melt wax, add food coloring. Cut thetop off a milk carton. Fill it with icecubes. Tie a string around a pencil and lay the pencil across a carton so the wick(string) hangs down straight. Pour in wax.Let harden. When it is hard, tear off carton and cut off pencil.

To decorate candles: Glue on glitter to make designs or to write name.

Winter Holidays

ABOUT THIS SUPPLEMENT

This supplement was put together from the contributions of three persons:

The Christmas material was supplied by Paul A. Westman, an independenteducational consultant for many

schools and churches.

The Hanukah information was supplied by Rabbi Ruth Sandburg,

who teaches at Gratz College in Philadelphia.

The Kwanzaa material was supplied by Linda Goss,

a nationally known storyteller.

◆

Cover illustration was by Christopher McRobbie.

The designers were Arzu Inal and Kimberly Rogers.

◆

Copyright © 2004 by Hot Topics Publications

PO Box 183Wyncote, PA 19095-0183

PAGE 3.Tell the tale through music:1. It came upon a midnight clear2. While shepherds watched their flock3. Angels we have heard on high4. O little town of Bethlehem5. Away in a manger, no crib...6. Joy to the world! The Lord is come

PAGE 4.Match words and countries:1. Plum pudding-England2. Christmas trees-Germany3. “Silent Night”-Austria4. Creches-Italy5. St. Nicholas-Holland6. Turkey dinners-United States7. Pinata- Mexico

PAGE 5.Match colors and words:1. Red-holly berries2. White-light3. Green-evergreens4. Gold-rich gifts

PAGE 6. Match symbols and concepts:1. Heart-love.2. Star-guidance3. Candy cane-caring4. Candle-light in darkness5. Evergreen tree-life and growth6. Christmas wreath-welcome

PAGE 7. Time line:1. King Antiochus of Syria becomes

king over the Jews2. King Antiochus is cruel to the Jews.3. Judah Maccabee leads the Jews in a fight

against the king and his army.4. The Maccabees defeat the king and the Syrians.5. The Maccabees clean the Temple

and rededicate it.

PAGE 8.Matched words:1. Hanukah-rededication2. Latkes-potato pancakes3. Menorah-candle holder4. Sufganiyot-jelly doughnuts5. Hag Samayach-Happy Holiday!6. Dreidel-spinning top

PAGE 13. Kwanzaa definitions:1. D2. G 3. A 4. B 5. C 6. E7. F

A way to conclude your studies

Solutions

16

Students who wish to read more aboutthese holidays can find many books andarticles in libraries. Some recommendedreferences are included here.

Hanukah

“The Hanukah Anthology,” Philip Goodman, Jewish Publication Soci-ety, Philadelphia.

“Book III of the Jewish Home Series:Hanukah,” Daniel Syme, Union of Ameri-can Hebrew Congregations, New York.

“The Eight Nights,” Jane Bearman,Union of American Hebrew Congrega-tions, New York

Christmas

“Christmas The World Over,” Daniel J.Foley, Chilton Book Co., Radnor, Pa.

“Welcome the Babe: A FamilyCelebration of Christmas,” Bob and ChrisSitze, edited by Barbara Kortrey, FortressPress, Philadelphia.

“The Gift of Time,” Margaret Ehlen-Miller,Robert Miller, Loretta VanderVeen and CarlVanderVeen, Morehouse-Barlow Co. Inc.,Wilton, Conn

“The Seeds of Paradise, A Garland ofHoliday Projects,” Mary V. Reilly andMargaret K. Wetterer, Morehouse-BarlowCo. Inc.,Wilton, Conn..

“The Jesse Tree,” Raymond andJeorgene Anderson, Fortress Press,Philadelphia.

Kwanzaa

“The Story of Kwanzaa,” Safisha L.Madhubuti, Third World Press, Chicago.

“Kwanzaa Handbook for the BlackFamily,” Edward Sims, the Black FamilyRituals, P.O. Box 4956, Philadelphia.

“Twas the Night Before Kwanzaa,”Edward Robinson Jr. and Harriet CoxRonbinson, Black Rhapsody, Inc.,219 E. Clivedon St., Philadelphia.

“African American Workshop,” LucilleWallower and Marilyn Porter, Penns Valley Publishers, State College, Pa.

“Kwanzaa Songs” and “Kwanzaa” cassettes, Kwanzaa sheet music, CoatesCommunications, P.O. Box 6365,Philadelphia, PA. 19139.

Winter Holidays

Christmas means ...Find a word for every letter.

C

H

R

I

S

T

M

A

S

HANUKAH MEANS ...Find a word for every letter.

H

A

N

U

K

A

H

KWANZAA MEANS ...Find a word for every letter.

K

W

A

N

Z

A

A

For morereading