Kwanzaa: 2010 Teachers Curriculum- Ujamaa 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: Fourth Day of Kwanzaa- Cooperative Economic/Ujamaa Day
Description: This lesson outlines the meaning and basic activities of the fourth day of the Kwanzaa celebration.
Ujamaa
To pool together our financial resources and to utilize them for the benefit of our neighborhood and for our families to see our interest tied to the interest of our neighborhood
Lesson Plan One: Fourth Day of Kwanzaa
| Goal: | Students will learn the meaning of the Cooperative Economics Principle and how to celebrate the fourth day of Kwanzaa. |
| Materials: | Red candle, Kwanzaa DVD- Teacher Guide: How to Celebrate the African American Holiday Kwanzaa |
| Introduction: | Teacher explains that the fourth day of Kwanzaa-, cooperative economics, and the fourth of the seven guiding principles (See Teacher Guide: How to Celebrate the African American Holiday Kwanzaa for full explanation of Cooperative Economics Day) |
| Development: | Students learn meaning of the Cooperative Economics principle |
| Practice: | Students make a commitment around the practice of the Cooperative Economics principle |
| Review: | Teacher reviews the Cooperative Economics principle |
Notes:
- If possible, try to begin with a story, proverb or riddle around the principle “Cooperative Economics
- Have student make a commitment around how they will practice cooperative economics (discussing ways to invest in school, e.g., fundraisers
- Have student document commitment, each week/month review the commitment and provide positive reinforcement to student.
- Karamu (Swahili for feast, e.g., classroom potluck)
