Holidays Around The Newspapers In Education (NIE) Program the World strives to promote literacy and responsible citizenship in children and young adults through the inclusion of newspapers with regular classroom curricula. NIE Contact Information Dayton Daily News nie.daytondailynews.com C H is the Jewish Feast or Festival of 937-225-7425 • 937-225-7364 hristmas is celebrated on December 25th. It anukkah Springfield News-Sun is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world. For Lights or Feast of Dedication. This year, Hanukkah began nie.springfieldnewssun.com Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus, who was on December 16th. The holiday celebrates a miracle that 937-328-0282 born in a manger in Bethlehem. From Thanksgiving to the happened in 165 B.C., when the Jews were controlled by The Middletown Journal end of December, images of Christmas surround us. Christ- a Syrian army who forbade them to practice their religion. nie.middletownjournal.com After three years of fighting, the Jewish army won their 513-705-2570 mas trees, Santa Claus, angels and stars all symbolize the freedom. To celebrate, the Jews decided to rededicate the JournalNews season, which embraces community spirit, generosity and nie.journal-news.com peace on earth. temple that had been destroyed by their enemy. However, 513-820-2136 there was only enough holy oil to light the lamp of “eter- The Christmas Holiday has evolved through hundreds of email: [email protected] nal light” for one day. Through a miracle, the lamp contin- years of traditions from around the globe. For example, ued to burn for eight days until more oil was available. caroling began in England, and the first live nativity scene was created in 1224 in South America. Today, Jewish people all over the world commemorate the miracle by participating in the traditions of Hanukkah. Decorating evergreen trees has always been a winter tradi- tion in Germany. In the 1820s, the first German immigrants The Menorah (men-OR-uh) is a special candlestick with decorated trees in Pennsylvania. In 1846, the first American holders for nine candles – one for each night of Hanukkah newspaper carried a picture of a Christmas tree, and the and one used to light the others. Jewish families light the custom spread to nearly every home in just a few years. menorah to celebrate the miracle in the temple. Toys! In 1828, the American minister to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, The dreidel (DRAY-dul) is a four-sided spinning top with a brought poinsettias from Mexico Hebrew letter inscribed on each side. Here’s a look at the history of some to America. In 1870, New York stores began selling them for Activity Match the following Ha- of the world’s most popular toys given the holidays and by 1900, they nukkah terms to their meanings: to children during the Holidays. became a universal symbol for 1. ____ Light the Menorah the Holidays. 2. ____ Playing Dreidel 3. ____ Hanukkah 2000 B.C. * Stone marbles are first 4. ____ Menorah Activity At Christmas, there used in Egypt. are many acts of generosity. Find a. Game with a spinning top a story in the newspaper about b. Festival of Lights 1000 B.C. * Kites appear in China. generosity and summarize it c. Special Candlestick finding the 5Ws- Who, What, d. Jewish families do this 1759 * Roller Skates are invented by Why, When and Where. every night of the holiday Joseph Merlin. 1887 * The speaking doll is invented R is a special month-long K when Thomas Edison combines his amadan wanzaa is a holiday for African- holiday observed by Muslims throughout the Americans to celebrate pride in their history, their phonograph technology with a doll. world. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar roots in African culture, and their achievements. In 1966, and lasts for 29 days. Ramadan is celebrated at a different Maulana Karenga, a leader in the civil rights movement, 1901 * In America, toy bears were time each year. In 2006, the first day of Ramadan was created Kwanzaa to encourage African Americans to September 23. During Ramadan, people do not eat or express their racial pride. This holiday, which begins on called Teddy Bears after President drink during the daylight hours. This practice is called December 26th, is based on traditional African harvest Theodore Roosevelt. “fasting.” Instead of eating during the day, Muslims focus festivals and was built on seven principles of black culture. on spirituality, compassion, and self-control. Kwanzaa involves the lighting of candles and lasts for 1903 * Edwin Binney produced the Families break their fasts each evening with a light meal seven nights. Each day, families light one candle and first box of Crayola crayons. called iftar. The preferred food for iftar is dates and water. discuss a different principle. Iftar is a way for people to be close to family and friends Kwanzaa is a holiday rich with symbolism. A straw mat 1916 * John Lloyd Wright, the son of within the community. Ramadan ends with a three-day represents African-American history. A bowl of fruits and celebration called Id-Al-Fitr (EED-il-FIT-r). vegetables stands for each person’s success through the Frank Lloyd Wright invents Lincoln Logs. year. Ears of corn are symbols of children and the future. Activity Unscramble the letters to create Each family drinks from a unity cup, which symbolizes the 1936 * Parker Brothers introduces Ramadan-related words: family’s promise to pull together as a group. the game Monopoly. 1. T A S F N G I _____________________________________ (Not eating or drinking during daylight hours) Activity Create an art poster symbolizing Kwanzaa 1949 * Ole Christiansen, a Danish 2. T N H I N ________________________________________ using pictures you can find in the newspaper. toy maker, creates the Lego. (Ramadan takes place in this month) 3. U S L M I M S ___________________________________ (These people celebrate Ramadan) 1952 * Banking on the idea that 4. T R A F I _____________________________ children like to play with their food, (The evening meal during Ramadan) Hasbro creates Mr. Potato Head. 1960 * Ohio Art creates Etch-a-Sketch. 1966 * Hot Wheels are created by Mattel. Activities Answer Key: Word Match-up 1.D, 2.A, 3.B, 4.C Scrambler- 1. Fasting 2. Ninth 3. Muslims 4. Iftar 4. Muslims 3. Ninth 2. Fasting 1. Scrambler- 4.C 3.B, 2.A, 1.D, Match-up Word Key: Answer Activities Looking Ahead Attention Teachers Support NIE this Season Need a classroom project? Join us in our goal in sending 6,431 The Secret School: holiday greetings to our soldiers overseas. Why 6,431? That’s the Going out of town for the holidays? Subscribers can donate December 19 - Chapter 17: The Last Day of School and distance between here and Bagdad. Please send your classroom the value their newspapers to Newspapers In Education during Chapter 18: The Results (end of story) greetings to Operation Bridge the Gap to the web sites listed their vacation. If you’d like to help out, but are not a subscriber, above. Or you can mail them to Lisa Cavender, Newspapers In NIE accepts monetary contributions, too. For more information, “Upriver” by A. LaFaye starts January 16, 2007 Education, 45 S. Ludlow Street, Dayton, OH 45402 contact a customer service representative at 1-800-441-NEWS. PAGE DEVELOPMENT BY SHAUNA RODGERS AND LISA CAVENDER. DESIGN BY KAREN ALLEN. .