Kwanzaa: 2010 Teachers Curriculum- Ujima 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: Third Day of Kwanzaa- Ujima/ Collective Work and Responsibility Day
Description: This lesson outlines the meaning and basic activities of the third day of the Kwanzaa celebration.
Lesson Plan:Ujima Day
Ujima
To work in a cooperative manner to strengthen our families, understanding that the well-being of our families is connected to the well being of our neighborhoods; that everyone must be concern with the overall health of their family and neighborhood; and that the well-being of our families and that of our neighborhoods are bound together
| Goal: | Students will learn the meaning of the collective work and responsibility principle and how to celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa |
| Materials: | Green candle, Kwanzaa DVD- Teacher Guide: How to Celebrate the African American Holiday Kwanzaa |
| Introduction: | Teacher explains that the third day of Kwanzaa-, Collective Work and Responsibility, and the third of the seven guiding principles (See Teacher Guide: How to Celebrate the African American Holiday Kwanzaa for full explanation of Collective Work and Responsibility Day) |
| Development: | Students learn meaning of the Collective Work and Responsibility principle |
| Practice: | Students make a commitment around the practice of Collective Work and Responsibility principle |
| Review: | Teacher reviews the Collective Work and Responsibility principle |
Notes:
- If possible, try to begin with a story, proverb or riddle around the principle “Self-determination”
- Have student make a commitment around how they will practice collective work and responsibility (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)) after activity
