| With the wellspring of cultural knowledge available | | | | invaluable way to instill them.For those a little |
| to educate African American children about our | | | | more mature in age get them to make a |
| rich heritage a solid anchor for all of this | | | | Kwanzaa calendar to place in their room, with the |
| information is Kwanzaa. Unless you know where | | | | symbols, their names and meaning. As an added |
| you come from, you can never arrive at where | | | | way to remember Kwanzaa we discuss each |
| you should be going (huge paraphrase). Let's look | | | | separate symbol, name and meaning each month |
| at this quote...Kwanzaa was created to introduce | | | | leading up to Kwanzaa - giving you extra material |
| and reinforce seven basic values of African | | | | to which subjects like history, culture, languages, |
| culture which contribute to building and reinforcing | | | | writing and composition can be budded from |
| family, community and culture among African | | | | throughout the year.Starting at those at the ages |
| American people as well as Africans throughout | | | | of 16 and up we let them choose a principle and |
| the world African community. These values are | | | | go online to research examples of each Kwanzaa |
| called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the | | | | symbol being applied in the past, present and |
| Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga, the | | | | produce an example that can be used in the |
| Nguzo Saba stand at the heart of the origin and | | | | future. The future application of their respective |
| meaning of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which | | | | Kwanzaa symbol can be next year or five years |
| are not only the building blocks for community but | | | | from now and triggers their use of critical thinking |
| also serve to reinforce and enhance them. | | | | - something that young leaders need to practice |
| ...from the Official Kwanzaa Web Site - learning | | | | in order to be part of building family, community |
| American history, World history, the history of | | | | and culture.A more in-depth lesson plan that can |
| art, music, writing and the like - African American | | | | be used as a homeschooling guide to Kwanzaa |
| history is a must and I will touch on a way to add | | | | can be found at the Learning to Give website: |
| Kwanzaa to your curriculum.First let's start with | | | | Each age group has a different activity planned |
| the little ones - the simplest way that we use is | | | | for celebrating Kwanzaa in a more structured |
| with coloring pictures. Give them examples of of | | | | format.Because of the richness of Kwanzaa and |
| the seven symbols of Kwanzaa which you can | | | | the principles that it points to as a reinforcement |
| find online and let them color them as they desire. | | | | for community, family and culture it's values |
| Remember to write the names of each symbol | | | | should be rehearsed year-round just as Christmas |
| and tell them the meaning of each one. As they | | | | in July and other holidays are touched upon out of |
| get older they will begin to recall the meaning of | | | | season. We have the future of our nation's |
| the symbols and ask questions about each one. | | | | principles in our hands let's not forget to remind |
| Parents prepare ahead of time to answer their | | | | each other to keep those principles.Daviyd |
| questions about Kwanzaa as they will ask about | | | | Peterson: 10-year consultant, instructor, trainer of |
| each one and it will probably be at a time when | | | | digital divide solutions for home and business. |
| you are not at your computer or near a Kwanzaa | | | | Helps african american and minority homeschools |
| calendar to remember. Our children need good | | | | bridge the |
| principles to guide them thru life and this is an | | | | digital divide by becoming computer homeschools. |