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Hanukkah

Presents, candles, dreidels, music and a miracle! Discover the story and celebration of Hanukkah!

• Teachers: Learning about holiday traditions is fun and helps foster understanding. Encourage your students and their families to learn together about them over the winter holidays. Before you undertake studying religious celebrations, check your district policies.
• Parents: As our world becomes more complex, it is increasingly important that children understand their family's spiritual beliefs and celebrations against the backdrop of those of others. By exploring these sites with your children, you will have many opportunities for discussion and sharing.

Indiana Academic Standards
English/Language Arts

Standard 4: Writing Process/Research and Technology

English/Language Arts

Standard 7: Listening and Speaking

Social Studies

Standard 5: Individuals, Society, and Culture

HanuKat: Celebrate Hanukkah and Passover with the Kids

visit this site
This site introduces the story of Hanukkah and its modern celebration.

Suggested Activities for Students

1. "About Hanukkah" will help you learn the history of Hanukkah. Share the story with a friend.
2. "Stories" lets you read a chapter for each of the eight evenings of Hanukkah.
3. "Activity" is a link to fun things to do.
4. "Recipe" makes you hungry, so select one to cook at home or with your class.
5. "Song" lets you listen to the HanuKat song.

Tips for Teachers

• Visit the "Educators" link for ideas on how to use this site with your classroom curriculum (please check on district policy before doing Christmas, Hanukkah or other religious-based holiday teaching.)
• Preview the student links listed above, then encourage family's to explore this site over winter break.

Tips for Parents

Have fun exploring this site with your child. Discuss your own family traditions and beliefs . Select a traditional family recipe and a new recipe from the site for your family to taste!

Additional Hanukkah Activities

Hanukkah: Fesitval of Lights

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights. Choose one of the eight titles to find out more about this celebration. visit this site

Torah Tots: Chanukah Home Page

Discover the meanings for "Chanukah" and play an game online by spinning the dreidel. visit this site

Akhlah: Hanukkah

More Hanukkah history and activities can be found at this site. visit this site

Suggested Activity for Students

There are many ways of celebrating special days or events. If you could create a new celebration, what would it be? Who would it include? How would you celebrate it? What special family or community traditions would you start? Think about your answers and share your celebration ideas with your family.

Tips for Teachers

Encourage families to talk with their children about their family traditions and celebrations.

Tips for Parents

Holiday time is perfect for retelling family stories and getting out picture albums. Encourage your child to find an interesting family photo and do one or more of the following:

1. Imagine what was happening when the photo took place and write a story about it
2. Create a playful wanted poster, describing one of the people in the photo
3. Write a letter to the person in the photo, telling them what you are doing.
4. Create a poem or song about the scene.
5. Describe the scene with words just like you would if you were painting a picture!

Buddy² Resource Links

Visit additional resources that are on our site as you develop your holiday thematic unit:

Holiday Lesson Plans