Keywords

December, holiday, Hanukkah, Chanukah, dreidel, tradition, custom, game

Materials Needed

Computer(s) with Internet access or printouts of resources in the Lesson section below. See specific resources in Lesson section for other possible materials.

Lesson Plan

• Begin the lesson by discussing the history of Hanukkah and the dreidel, using information from teacher-selected resources or from Torah Tots.
• Tell students that they will create their own dreidels and learn to play the dreidel game.
• Print directions for making paper dreidels; directions are available online at Chanukah On the Net -- Dreidel Pattern or Make a Dreidel. You might also let students make dreidels from milk cartons or boxes, following the directions at Hanukkah Crafts & Recipes: Dreidels.
• After students create their dreidels, have students learn the rules for the dreidel game, using teacher-selected resources or printouts from the following sites.
  Chanukah On the Net -- The Dreidel
  The Dreidel Game
  Dreidel Game Rules
  
• Organize students into small groups to play the dreidel game.

Variation: If Internet access is available to everyone, students can play an interactive dreidel game at Cyberkids: Fun & Games: Holidays -- Dreidel.

Assessment

Evaluate students' ability to follow directions in creating dreidels and playing the dreidel game.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Lois Lewis

National Standards

Language Arts:
NL-ENG.K-12.1
NL-ENG.K-12.2
NL-ENG.K-12.9
NL-ENG.K-12.12

Visual Arts:
NA-VA.K-4.1
NA-VA.5-8.1