I thought it would be fun to create some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate (like Diwali, and Kwanzaa, and Ramadan!) (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for these sets.) I'm so happy to be able to share these, as I think it's so important to expose kids to various cultures, and to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)
I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand most easily, so the concepts are generally about simple traditions vs. religious themes.
I also want them to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.
So up today is Hanukkah. This particular set was originally created for kids to play with independently--but then I realized it's completely usable at story time, too! I made up some super simple songs to go with the set--Hanukkah vocabulary and concepts are sprinkled within, and the tunes are familiar so everyone will have an easy time joining in.
It is Hanukkah © Wendy Gerbi
To the tune of Frere
Jacques. Explain the concept of call and
response if the kids aren’t familiar with it.
You can set up your pieces on the board ahead of time or place them on
as you sing about them. Do what works
for you—having the kids help place the pieces on the board is the most fun 😊
It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah
The festival of lights, the festival of lights!
The shamash lights the candles, the shamash lights
the candles.
Shining bright, shining bright!
It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah
The festival of lights, the festival of lights!
Fry potato latkes, fry potato latkes,
Eat them up, eat them up!
It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah
The festival of lights, the festival of lights!
Spin the little dreidels, spin the little
dreidels,
Watch them fall, watch them fall!
It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah
The festival of lights, the festival of lights!
Fry the sufganiyot, fry the sufganiyot,
Cherries on top, cherries on top!
Hanukkah is Here
to the tune of Farmer in the Dell
As you sing about each felt piece, place it on
the board.
Hanukkah
is here, Hanukkah is here,
Light
the candles in the menorah,
Hanukkah
is here!
Fry
the latkes in the pan,
Hanukkah
is here!
Hanukkah
is here, Hanukkah is here,
Spin
the dreidels and watch them fall,
Hanukkah
is here!
Hanukkah
is here, Hanukkah is here,
Chocolate
gelt for all the kids,
Hanukkah
is here!
Hanukkah
is here, Hanukkah is here,
Icing
and cherries on our doughnuts,
Hanukkah
is here!
Hanukkah
is here, Hanukkah is here,
Celebrate
with friends and family,
Hanukkah
is here!
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