Hanukkah in the Classroom
Fire Up Your Menorah for the Festival of Lights
Latkes, gelt, and eight nights of presents! Begin a series of winter holiday lessons by inspiring your students with the Hanukkah spirit. To learn more about the victory of Judah and the Maccabees and the many traditions that commemorate it, browse the lesson plans and articles below.
For a quick and fun teaching idea, construct a dreidel (PDF) and play the popular game using these instructions and lyrics (PDF).
To discuss your favorite Hanukkah activities, visit our Winning Ideas message board: What are your best ideas for celebrating a holiday?
Your students can explore our new Hanukkah interactive unit to learn more about the holiday, share their favorite holiday memories on the moderated message board, and send holiday eCards.
Articles
Judaism
Grolier Online |
Learn about the history and beliefs of Judaism, one of the world's major religions.
Lesson Plans
Celebrate Hanukkah in Israel!
by Steven Hicks
This fun lesson involves cooking traditional foods, writing Hebrew characters, and playing a dreidel game that utilizes basic math skills.
Let's Celebrate Hanukkah!
by Gayle Berthiaume
Create a bright window display with your students. Then compare and contrast Hanukkah to other light-filled observances, Diwali and Ramadan.
How Do You Celebrate?
by Tracey Roudez
Read and recite facts about customs from the Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. After reading these holiday titles to your students, use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast them.
Book Lists
Hanukkah Picture Books
Filled with traditions, poetry, and humorous parallels of Christmas classics, these Hanukkah titles are both informative and delightful.
