Fun Facts + Weekly Activities

(Now → New Year)

WEEK 1: “Holiday Traditions Around the World”

Hanukkah lasts 8 nights because of the miracle of the oil that burned longer than expected.

Families light the menorah, play dreidel, and enjoy foods cooked in oil like latkes and doughnuts.

Christmas is celebrated around the world with

decorations, lights, music, and gift-giving.

Germany is credited with inventing the traditional Christmas tree.

In Japan, many families eat fried chicken for Christmas dinner — it’s so popular that people order weeks in advance!

· Kwanzaa was created in 1966 to celebrate African American culture, unity, community, and creativity.

· Families light the kinara, celebrate the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba), and enjoy feasts, music, and storytelling.

Activity: “Passport to December!”
1. Fold a small booklet and call it a Holiday Passport.

2. Choose 3 countries or traditions (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Las Posadas, etc.).

3. Draw one symbol for each (menorah, kinara, star, lantern, etc.).

4. Write one fun fact for every symbol.

Go ahead 5th grader show off your “worldly genius skills!”