First graders have been learning about national holidays throughout the school year. With winter break approaching, we’ve been discussing the difference between national holidays and religious holidays. We are taking this opportunity to explore various winter holidays such as Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, and Kwanza. Reading aloud Too Many Tamales, first graders learned about Christmas traditions in Mexico. They especially enjoyed sampling burritos and taquitos during our multi-cultural holiday celebration. Cutting and folding skills were practiced as we made their own dreidels, played dreidel, and listened to Hanukkah music. Woven mats called mkeka were made using red, black, green, and yellow, the colors of Kwanza. These mats hold food representing the harvest. Tomorrow, students will create Rangoli patterns celebrating Diwali. Rangoli are colorful geometric designs placed at the entrance of doors to welcome guests during Diwali.
