Objective(s)

Students will use the Internet to research Kwanzaa by taking notes, organizing the information into a brochure, and emailing the information to a friend.

National Standards

Technology: Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using telecommunications and collaborative tools to investigate curriculum-related information, and to develop products for audiences inside and outside of the classroom.

Summary

Students will research Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration, using the Internet and sharing their information for others.

Technology and/or Materials Needed

• Computers with Internet access
• Sample brochures
• Email accounts (optional)

Implementation Time Frame

Four 45-minute class period

Activities

To begin this project, brainstorm characteristics of a holiday. Next, ask students if they have heard of the holiday, Kwanzaa. Have students share information. Explain to them that not everyone knows a lot about Kwanzaa and they are going to make a brochure displaying this holiday. Show samples of brochures and briefly discuss qualities of brochures (i.e. concise, colorful, specific information).

Next, students will log onto the Internet and begin searching for information on Kwanzaa. If your students are not experienced with searching strategies or for safety purposes, you may provide web addresses from the list of resources. Students should take notes on different aspects of Kwanzaa, and download and/or print pictures to use on the brochure.

At the end of the project, students will share their brochures and pass them around to their classmates. The brochures can be mailed to friends and family; also if you have established keypals (or epals), students should communicate their new understanding of the holiday Kwanzaa.

Extensions: Kwanzaa may easily be linked to history, literature, and the arts. It can also be integrated into math and science. The following are some connections that can be shared and further researched in your class:

• Pythagorean Theorem existed in Africa at least 1000 years before Pythagoras was born, Pythagoras studied in Kermite for 20 years.
• The first person to accurated measure the circumference fo the earth was Erastosthenes of Libya.
• The first African American to receive a Ph.D. in math was Elbert Francis Cox.
• Ernest Wilkins was the youngest African American to receive his Ph.D. a the the age fo 19. Imhotep was known as the Father of Medicine and lived at least 2200 years before Hippocrates.

Assessment

Brochures can be assessed for content: meaning of major symbols, origins of Kwanzaa, time of the celebration, and purpose of celebration.

Resources and Related Links

• www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org
• www.freenet.buffalo.edu/community/holidays/xmas/kwanzaa.html
• www.melanet.com/kwanzaa