Kwanzaa: 2010 Teachers Curriculum- Creativity Principle
A Note to Teachers on How Kwanzaa Can Be Used for All Students to Improve Academic and School Performance
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 to introduce and reinforce 7 guiding principles which were viewed as essential to healthy personal, family, school, and neighborhood development. Observed with fidelity, Kwanzaa can be a value added holiday, encouraging and motivating students to work toward realizing their highest scholastic potential. This Kwanzaa Teacher Curriculum and Lesson Plan is an invitation for all teachers to join with African Americans in using the Kwanzaa celebration and holiday (December 26 through January 1) to honor and celebrate their families, school, and personal accomplishments.
Topic: Six Day of Kwanzaa- Creativity/Kuumba Day
Description: This lesson outlines the meaning and basic activities of the six day of the Kwanzaa celebration.
Lesson Plan: Creativity Day
Creativity
To aspire daily toward continuously improvement, focusing on personal achievement, family development and neighborhood well-being and advancement
| Goal: | Students will learn the meaning of the Creativity principle and how to celebrate the six day of Kwanzaa. |
| Materials: | Red candle, Kwanzaa DVD- Teacher Guide: How to Celebrate the African American Holiday Kwanzaa |
| Introduction: | Teacher explains that the six day of Kwanzaa-, Creativity, and the sixth of the seven guiding principles (See Teacher Guide: How to Celebrate the African American Holiday Kwanzaa for full explanation of Creativity Day) |
| Development: | Students learn meaning of the Creativity principle |
| Practice: | Students make a commitment around the practice of Creativity principle |
| Review: | Teacher reviews the Creativity principle |
Notes:
- If possible, try to begin with a story, proverb or riddle around the principle “Creativity”
- Have student make a commitment around how they will practice creativity principle (classroom or school)
- Have student document commitment, each week/month review the commitment and provide positive reinforcement to student
- Karamu (Swahili for feast, e.g., classroom potluck)
