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Habari Gani: The Last Four Principles

Grades: 
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Subjects: 
Arts Education
Language Arts
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
African American
Caring/Sharing
Civic Responsibility/Virtue
Common Good
Reflection
Visual Arts

Continuing from the previous lesson, the young people learn the next four of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. They are challenged to apply the principles to their everyday lives in a way that enhances the communities to which they belong.

Duration 
PrintFour 30-Minute Sessions
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • identify the last four principles of Kwanzaa.
  • relate each principle to his or her own life.
Materials 
  • Kinara made in lesson one
  • yellow construction paper or yellow crayons
Bibliography 
  • Ford, Juwanda. K is for Kwanzaa. Cartwheel Books, 1997. ISBN: 0590922009
  • Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating Kwanzaa. Holiday House, 1994. ISBN: 0823411303
  • Johnson, Dolores. The Children’s Book of Kwanzaa: A Guide to Celebrate the Holiday. Aladdin Paperbacks, 1997. ISBN: 0689815565
  • Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Seven Candles of Kwanzaa. Dial Books for Young Readers, 1993. ISBN: 0803712928
  • Robertson, Linda. Kwanzaa Fun. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2003. ISBN: 0753456850


 

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Write “opportunity cost” on the board. Talk about how the principles of Kwanzaa, and being part of a community, sometimes requires selflessness and giving up an opportunity for oneself for the common good. An opportunity cost is what you gave up when you make a choice. Review the first three principles of Kwanzaa from lesson two. Ask, "Did you have to give anything up to practice those principles?" 

  2. Kwanzaa Day Four:

    Write the word “Ujamaa” on the board. Today’s principle is ujamaa (oo-JA-mah - “cooperative economics”). When the facilitator says, "Habari Gani" (What is the news?), young people respond by saying “ujamaa.”

  3. They may “light” the black candle of the kinara. This is the candle representing ujamaa.

  4. Read aloud about ujamaa in one or more of the books about Kwanzaa (see Bibliography). Talk about what ujamaa means (cooperative economics—working together to meet financial needs).

  5. Talk sensitively about the fact that sometimes it is difficult for families in our community to have enough money to buy food. Share information about organizations that help people get food. Discuss ways that people contribute with their time, talent, and treasure to help their friends. Discuss the opportunity cost of doing something to help the organization. If I volunteer time, for example, I give up the opportunity to play with friends. If I donate money, I give up the opportunity to buy something for myself. 

  6. Kwanzaa Day Five:

    Write the word “Nia” on the board. Today’s principle is ujamaa (NEE-ah – “purpose”). Say "Habari Gani" (What is the news?) and youth respond by saying “nia.”

  7. They may “light” the first red candle of the kinara. This is the candle representing nia.

    Read aloud about nia in one or more of the books about Kwanzaa (see Bibliography). Discuss what nia means (purpose—having personal goals that are beneficial to others). A purpose isn’t a private goal such as keeping my room clean. A purpose may be something like the following statement: I will be kind to everyone and invite new friends to an activity at least once a week. Challenge youth to write a generous purpose on a scroll and commit to it.

  8. Kwanzaa Day Six

    Write the word “Kuumba” on the board. Today’s principle is kuumba (koo-OOM-bah – “creativity”). Say "Habari Gani" (What is the news?) and youth respond by saying “kuumba.” They may “light” the second red candle of the kinara. This is the candle representing kuumba.

  9. Read aloud about kuumba in one or more of the books about Kwanzaa. Discuss what art and creativity do for a community. Choose an art project to complete using their creativity and knowledge of Kwanzaa. Suggestions: Make a traditional woven mat for the feast table in red, green and black. Or cook and decorate some traditional Kwanzaa foods.

  10. Kwanzaa Day Seven

    Write the word “Imani” on the board. Today’s principle is imani (ee-MAH-nee – “faith”). Say "Habari Gani" (What is the news?) and youth respond by saying “imani.” They may “light” the third red candle of the kinara. This is the candle representing imani.

  11. Read aloud about imani. Discuss the meaning of faith. 

  12. With youth in pairs, one child guides their blindfolded partner to a spot, using words such as right, left, straight and backward. After they reach their destination, the partners switch roles. Discuss what was difficult and what was easy. Talk about the principle of trust or faith that your partner will keep you safe and help you succeed.

  13. Discuss why trust is an important part of working in a group. How does trust build unity? Why would trust, or faith, be an important principle in the Kwanzaa celebration? Is trust an important part of helping others? Why?

  14. Use the handout from lesson one for young people to take notes on the different principles. At the end of the seven days, they may wish to plan a service project, such as volunteering in the community or collecting gently used items to donate. 

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.3 Recognize that citizens have a responsibility for the common good as defined by democratic principles.
      2. Benchmark E.4 Define and give examples of selfishness and selflessness.
    2. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.3 Identify ways that trust is important in all communities.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark E.1 Define the word <em>trust</em> and its role in all communities.
      2. Benchmark E.3 Describe a benefit of group cooperation.
    2. Standard PCS 03. Philanthropy and Economics
      1. Benchmark E.3 Give examples of <i>opportunity cost</i> in philanthropic giving.
    3. Standard PCS 05. Philanthropy and Government
      1. Benchmark E.1 Define community as the degree that people come together for the common good.
      2. Benchmark E.7 Describe why the classroom, school, or neighborhood is a community governed by fundamental democratic principles.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.4 Give an example of how citizens act for the common good.
      2. Benchmark E.5 Give examples of actions students can take to improve the common good and list or describe responsibilities that go with those actions.
  4. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 02. Service and Learning
      1. Benchmark E.1 Select a service project based on interests, abilities, and research.