Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1.  If you are not familiar with Kwanzaa, it is a holiday that is celebrated for seven days and celebrates African American culture.  In Swahili, Kwanzaa means “first fruits” and was founded by Maulana Karenga, an African American scholar and activist in 1966. 

Kwanzaa celebrates seven principles -"Nguzo Saba" (Swahili) 

They are:

-Unity (umoja), signified by the gathering of family, friends, and community

-Faith (imani)

-Purpose (nia)

-Collective work and responsibility (ujima)

-Cooperative economics (ujamaa)

-Self-determination (kujichagulia)

-Creativity (kuumba)

On December 31, a Kwanzaa feast is enjoyed by family and friends. Maulana Karenga designed the feast to include the following:

-straw place mat (mkeka)

-holder for seven candles (kinara)

-candles (mishumaa),

-various fruit(mazao)

-ear of corn for each child in the home (vibunzi)

-unity cup (kikombe cha umoja)

-modest gifts, especially for children (zawadi)

Kwanzaa Read-Alouds:

Together For Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford

K is for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford and Ken Wilson-Max

Seven Candles For Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Visit Kwanzaa Land to teach your kiddies how to count to ten in Swahili.  http://www.kwanzaaland.com/children/counting.html

Share a favorite Kwanzaa activity here:  http://community.educationworld.com/content/kwanzaa?gid=NDYzMg==

Download a subitizing activity here:  http://community.educationworld.com/content/roll-and-color-kinara