ARTS AND CRAFTS

Popsicle Stick Star of David- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Have the children make a Star of David out of 6 popsicle sticks - color with markers and decorate with glitter

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Drediels- Submitted by Christi

pencils, glue, paint and paintbrushes, small milk cartons or boxes

Fold tops of milk cartons down to make boxes. Mix a little glue with paint and let children paint boxes. Poke pencil through box from top downward so point is on bottom.

Poem:
I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay.
And when it's dry and ready,
A dreidel game I'll play.

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Homemade Hanukkah Menorah- Submitted by Christi

9 blue birthday cake candles, 11 white lifesavers, 1" x 8" strip of posterboard, glue, 1 white certs candy

Spread a thick coat of glue down the center of the posterboard. Glue 9 lifesavers in a row onto the posterboard. Glue four lifesavers on the left side of the strip and four on the right. Glue the certs candy in the center. Glue another lifesaver on top of each piece of candy on the bottom row. Glue a third lifesaver on top of the center stack. Let the glue dry completely. Set one candle in the hole of each candy piece.

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Homemade Menorahs- Submitted by Christi

Have children press one hand at a time into white paint and then onto a sheet of blue construction paper, thumbs overlapping. Then have then paint a tall shammash candle that extends up from their thumbprints. Then using orange paint, have them paint "flames" above each fingerprint so the handprints resemble a lit menorah.

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Candelabras- Submitted by Christi

Take toilet tissue tubes (or from wrapping paper) and wrap colorful wrapping paper around them. Glue or tape into place. Glue a bit of yellow or orange tissue paper in the top opening (to make a "flame") you can glue them to a cardboard base and it makes a cute "candelabra" or Menorah. You can make them with as many candles as you like and make the candles any sizes you like, just be sure to use a good tacky glue to adhere them to the base and let it dry really well so it stays intact. If you are pressed for time you can slit the bottom of the tube and staple them to the base. The bases of the candles can be hidden with scrunched up green tissue paper too.

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Latke Pans- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Latke is the Hebrew word for "pancake," hence potato latkes. The children each decorate a paper plate. You can use water color paints or bright markers - whatever you like. They can decorate any way they like. This becomes the pan. Then I hot glue a tongue depresser - this becomes the handle of the pan. Each child gets a small (about 2-3" diameter) circle cut out of chip board (needs to have weight to it - oaktag is too light) and a small (about 6") length of yarn. Pre-punch a hole on the edge of the plate opposite the handle and in the chipboard. Attach the circle (this is the "pancake") to the plate, using the yarn. If they children "flip" the latke up it will land in the pan.

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Menorah Candle Handprints- Submitted by Christi

Let one child at a time place both hands in dark colored paint and make a Menorah print on construction paper by placing fingers of each hand spread and together with thumbs over-lapping. When the menorah is finished have the children dip a finger into yellow point and make a "flame" at the top of each candle.

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Wrapping Paper- Submitted by Christi

blue paint, large pieces of white paper, plastic margarine lids, small Hanukkah cookies cutters (or basic shapes) Pour small amount of paint into margarine lids. Dip a cookie cutter into paint, stamp on paper, and then let paint dry.

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Candle Puppets- Submitted by Christi

Toilet paper rolls, popsicle sticks, foil, glue, scissors, markers, yellow construction paper Cover toilet paper roll with foil. Cut a flame shape out of paper and draw a face on it. Glue flame on end of the popsicle stick. Insert stick in roll, hold roll with one hand, make flame dance with other.

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Hannukah Art- Submitted by Christi

Cut out on white paper the shape of an Oil jug. Have the children take colored chalk and draw anything they want. Then brush the entire piece with cooking oil. Let dry. The texture is lovely and the oil relates to the Hannukah story. This can also be done as a crayon resist. Take crayons and color as hard as possible. Then take a wash of any color tempra you choose. The crayon stands out and the background is painted.

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Dreidles and Star of Davids- Submitted by Christi

The most simple idea is to cut dreidle shapes and Star of David shapes and have the children glitter them or get bow tie pasta had have them collage with that on the shapes..... Sponge paint with blue and white using Chanukah symbols..... get some good books and you are on your way..... Hope you have fun with the unit.....Oh, cut out a big menorah out of poster board... Have the kids glitter it or decorate it anyway you would like.... Then add a candle to it(paper of course) each day... Lots of fun.

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FOOD AND COOKING

Edible Menorahs- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Fill celery with peanut butter or cream cheese, stick pretzels, and raisins for lights.

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Potato Latkes- Submitted by Lisa in VA

4 large baking potatoes, 1 medium onion, 1 tsp. lemon juice, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp. flour, Salt, Pepper, Oil for frying

Peel potatoes. Finely grate potatoes with onion. (I grate potatoes and soak overnight in water, changing the water several times - this reduces the amount of starch and latkes are lighter.) Sprinkle with lemon juice. Put in large bowl with eggs and flour. Combine well and season with salt and pepper.Heat oil in skillet. Drop full tablespoons of mixture into skillet. Flatten each mound and fry till golden brown on each side. Drain latkes on paper towel until dry. Eat with sour cream or applesauce.

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Tasty Menorahs- Submitted by Christi

Bread, cream cheese or butter, carrot sticks, pretzel sticks, raisins Spread bread with cream cheese or butter, arrange 8 pretzels as candles and carrot stick as large candle in center. Use raisins as flames at ends of carrot and pretzel sticks.

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Potato Latkes- Submitted by Christi

6-8 medium potatoes, 1/2 medium onion, 3 large eggs, 1/4 cup flour, Salt and pepper to taste

Using a cheese grater or food processor, grate 6-8 potatoes to yield 6 cups. Drain off the extra liquid. Grate 1/2 onion. Mix the grated potatoes and onion with the eggs and flour. Season with salt and pepper. Preheat oil in a skillet and drop your batter by teaspoonfuls into the hot oil. Fry until brown on the edges, then flip and fry the other side. Serve while still warm. Warm latkes and cold milk will satisfy the vegetable and milk requirements at snack time. This recipe will serve 8 school children or 12 preschool children.

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LATKES (potato pancakes)- Submitted by Christi

4 large potatoes, 1 small onion, grated, 1 egg, 2 t. matzoh meal, 1 t. salt dash of pepper cooking oil

Grate the potatoes & press out as much of the liquid as you can. Mix in the onion, egg, seasoning, & matzoh meal. Cover the bottom of a frying pan with cooking oil. Heat. Carefully drop large spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil. Fry each side until crisp & brown.

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Tasty Menorahs- Submitted by Christi

bread, cream cheese or butter, carrot sticks, pretzel sticks, raisins

Help each child spread bread with cream cheese or butter. Then help each child arrange 8 pretzels as candles and carrot stick as large candle in center. Let the children use raisins as flames at ends of carrot and pretzel sticks

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SONGS AND FINGERPLAYS

Dreidl Song- Submitted by Lisa in VA

I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay.
And when it's dry and ready,
Oh, dreidel I will play.

Chorus:
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel-
I made it out of clay.
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel-
Now dreidel I will play.

It has a lovely body,
Its legs so short and thin.
So come and join the party,
And dreidel we will spin.

Chorus

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Menorah Candle- Submitted by Lisa in VA

I'm a menorah candle
(children standing with hands pointed over head)
Growing shorter you can see.
(begin to squat lower)
Melting all my wax
(squat lower)
Until there's nothing left of me!
(squat all the way down and end with hands and head on floor)

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Menorah Candles- Submitted by Lisa in VA
(Tune- "Twinkle, Twinkle")

Twinkle, twinkle, candles in the night
Standing on the menorah bright.
Burning slow, we all know,
Burning bright to give us light,
Twinkle, twinkle, candles in the night
Standing on the menorah bright.

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5 Little Latkes- Submitted by Lisa in VA

5 Little Latkes sizzling in a pan,
One jumped out and said, "Catch me if you can."
And it ran and it ran all around the kitchen floor,
When I turned around, it ran right out the door.
4 little latkes sizzling in a pan,
etc.

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Nine Little Candles- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Nine little candles-what a sight!
They stand in the menorah and look so bright.
This one said, "I want to sway."
This one said, "I'm melting away."
This one said, "I'm still pretty tall."
This one said, "I'm getting small."
This one said, "I feel like skipping."
This one said, "My wax is dripping."
This one said, "I have no more light."
This one said, "It's the last Chanuka night."
The shamash said with a shout,
"I'll be the last one to go out."
"For eight long days, we did burn.
We'll see you next Chanukah when we return."

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Dreidle Poem- Submitted by Christi

I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay.
And when it's dry and ready,
A dreidel game I'll play.

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Hanukkah, Festival of Lights- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Eight days and nine candles each lit one by one
We say our blessings, eat our latkes, then - what fun!
The dreidel game - the little top spins and spins and spins.
The letter gimel faces up and I'm the one who wins.
Our beautiful menorah stays all aglow with light.
Eight days - and gifts for us every single night!

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The Latkes Are Frying in the Pan- Submitted by Christi
(Sung to: When Johnny Comes Marching Home)

The latkes are frying in the pan, hurrah, hurrah!
The latkes are frying in the pan, hurrah, hurrah!
And when they have cooked up nice and brown,
We'll take them out and sit right down
And we'll eat those yummy latkes this Hannukkah night!

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Light The Candles Bright- Submitted by Christi
(sung to: "The Farmer In The Dell")

Oh, light the candles bright,
And dance around the light.
Heigh-ho the derry-oh,
It's Hanukkah tonight.

Spin the dreidel round,
And watch it falling down.
Heigh-ho the derry-oh,
It's Hanukkah tonight.

Latke treats to eat,
And family to greet.
Heigh-ho the derry-oh,
It's Hanukkah tonight.

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GAMES, MATH, AND SCIENCE

The Dreidel Game- Submitted by Lisa in VA

To begin, get a large quantity of candies or buttons and divide them equally among the players. Each player puts one candy into the central pot and the playing begins. The first player spins the dreidel and watches until it falls. If the nun ( ) lands uppermost, the player adds nothing to the pot and takes nothing out. If gimmel ( ) faces up, the player takes all of the central pot. If hay ( ) lands on top, the player takes half of the pot. If shin ( ) is up, the player puts half of his/her pile into the central pot. After each turn, everyone adds a candy to the pot and the game continues. The game is over when everyone is bankrupt but the winner!

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Hanukkah Gelt Hunt- Submitted by Christi

Tell the children that one of the games played by Jewish families during Hanukkah involves something called gelt. The gelt are real coins hidden by parents that the children must find. Have a gelt hunt, but substituting gold- foil chocolate coins for real coins. Hide the coins around a room for the children to find.

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Playdough Menorah- Submitted by Christi

playdough, birthday candles, large candles

Roll out piece of playdough and press to form base. Place large candle in center and four small candles on each side of large one.

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Candle Clock Science Experiment- Submitted by Christi

2 tapered candles that are the same length, Ruler, Permanent marker

To make a candle clock, burn one candle for 30 minutes. Measure the difference in length between the 2 candles. This length now represents a half-hour. With the permanent marker, make half-hour marks on both candles. Burn one of the candles for several hours. Have your children tell you how much time has passed by counting the number of marks down the candle has burned.

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CIRCLE TIME

Christmas/Hanukkah Story- Submitted by Christi

Props:
Hanukkah Candle Puppet, Christmas Star Puppet, Ordinary glove, sequins, glitter, glue

Allow the children to decorate an ordinary glove with sequins and glitter, creating a sparkling effect. Put the glove on and use as a Christmas star.

Story: When the Hanukkah Candle Met the Christmas Star
by Holly McDonough-Abunassar *copyright 1996 Child Care Provider Magazine

The cold winds were beginning to blow, nipping at the heels of shoppers filling the streets in search of the perfect gift. There seemed to be a certain joy in the air - the holiday season was here.

The clerk at the corner gift shop was putting the final touches on the window decorations. She placed a Hanukkah candle in the Menorah and lit the Christmas star atop the tree. She stood back for a moment, admiring her handiwork. Then she hurried off to tend to her chores.

All was quiet in the front window, but not for long. "Excuse me," said a voice. "Huh?" said another. "It's me - over here." It was the Hanukkah candle. "Why are you always here?" he asked the Christmas star. "I was just about to ask you the same question!" replied the star. "Every year it's the same thing. They unpack us from the box and put us in this window," continued the star. "Some stop to look at me and others admire you. But you can't hang from a tree like the other ornaments. You don't sparkle like tinsel. And I don't see how you could sit atop this tree - like me."

"Of course not," chuckled the candle. "I don't belong on your tree. I am a candle - a symbol of hope. People sing songs and celebrate when they light me each evening. You see, many, many years ago, a frightening King ruled the land. He wouldn't allow the people to pray and he put out the candle burning in their temple. One family used the last of their oil - just one day's supply - to keep that light aglow. Much to everyone's surprise, the candle stayed lit for 8 days until more oil arrived. Now people light me every year as a symbol of hope - remembering those who fought to keep me lit all throughout the year."

"I see," said the star. "And why do you sit perched on top of that tree year after year?" asked the candle. "As it turns out," replied the star in surprise, "I too am a symbol of hope to all who light me. Many, many years ago, a baby was born and laid in a manger in a stable. This baby brought eternal hope to the people who traveled from far-off lands to visit him, bringing gifts. A star was shining bright in the sky, leading them to where the baby lay. Now, I am a symbol of hope, reminding people of the baby's birth. Every year, people place me on the tree and celebrate with songs and gifts and the most delicious smelling foods."

The two were quiet for a moment, both deep in thought. Just then, a man stopped to admire the Hanukkah candle and the Menorah. All at once the star stretched out its points as wide as he could to shine a little extra light on the candle. The man moved on. A few minutes later, a child ran to the window to point to the star perched on the tree. Without even thinking, the Hanukkah candle straightened up as tall as he could and cast a glow over the star.

From that day on, the star and the candle had a new understanding of each other. Different, but alike, each bring celebration to the season. Now when the candle and the star sit side by side in the gift shop window, each works hard to help the other shine a little brighter - bringing hope to all who stop to visit.

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The Menorah Felt Board- Submitted by Christi

Cut out a menorah shape that will hold nine candles. The middle or fifth holder is taller then the rest. Cut out 9 candle shapes out of white or blue felt. Cut out 9 candle flames out of yellow felt. Place the menorah with the 9 candles standing in it on the flannelboard. Put a flame on the top of the middle candle. Explain that with the real menorah the candle in the center (the shammash) would be used to light the other candles. Then let the children take turns placing the flames on the eight remaining candles as you read the verse below. Remove all the flames after each verse so that the next child can "light" the appropriate number of candles.

Eight little candles in a row,
Waiting to join the holiday glow.
The first night we light candle number one.
Hanukkah time has now begun.
The second night we light candles one & two.
Hanukkah's here--there's lots to do.
The third night we light up to three.
Hanukkah's here---there's lots to see.
The fourth night we light all up to four,
Each now a part of the Hanukkah lore.
The fifth night we light all up to five,
Helping our Hanukkah come alive.
The sixth night we light all up to six.
Happy candles---happy wicks.
The seventh night we light all up to seven.
The glow of each candle reaches to heaven.
The eight night we light all up to eight.
Hanukkah's here----let's celebrate!

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Hanukkah Candles Finger Play- Submitted by Christi

Eight little candles in a row,
Waiting to join the holiday glow.
The first night we light candle number one.
Hanukkah time has now begun.
The second night we light candles on and two.
Hanukkah's here there's lots to do.
The third night we light all up to three.
Hanukkah's here there's lots to see.
The fourth night we light all up to four.
Each now a part of the Hanukkah lore.
The fifth night we light all up to five.
Helping our Hanukkah come alive.
The sixth night we light all up to six.
Hanukkah's here there's food to fix.
The seventh night we light all up to seven.
The glow of each candle reaches to Heaven.
The eight night we light all up to eight.
Hanukkah's here, let's celebrate!

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Book List- Submitted by Christi

A Great Miracle Happened There: A Chanukah Story - Karla Kuskin
A Picture Book of Hanukkah - David A, Adler
Arielle and the Hanukkah Surprise - Devra Speregen and Shirly Newberger
Asher and the Capmakers: A Hanukkah Story - Eric A. Kimmel
Chanukah Fun - Tali Marcus Minelli (craft ideas)
The Chanukkah Guest - Eric A. Kimmel
Chanukah Is-- - Martin Lemelman
Elijah's Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas - Michael J. Rosen
Grandma's Latkes - Malka Drucker
Hanukkah! - Roni Schotter
Hanukkah Fun - Crafts and Games - Andrea R. Weiss
Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights - Leslie Kimmelman
Hanukah Money (out of print) - Sholom Aleichem
Hershel And The Hanukkah Goblin - Eric Kimmel
In the Month of Kislev: A Story for Hanukkah - Nina Jaffe
Inside-out Grandma: A Hanukkah Story - Joan Rothenberg
Just Enough Is Plenty: A Hannukkah Tale - Barbara Diamond Goldin
Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story - Fran Manushkin
Light The Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah And Christmas - Margaret Moorman
Northern Lights: A Hanukkah Story - Diana Cohen Conway
Rainbow Candles: A Chanukah Counting Book - Myra Shostak
Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah - Sylvia Rouss
The Great Hanukkah Party - Suzy-Jane Tanner
The Miracle of the Potato Latkes: A Hanukkah Story - Malka Pen
The Story of Hanukkah - Amy Ehrlic
What Is Hanukkah?

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