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Elementary Level Resources

Celebrations of Light 2025

Please see the resources below.

 

Celebrations of Light

Full Lessons (Wonders Integration)

Santa in the City Wonders integration grades TK-2
Winter Solstice Wonders integration grades 3-5

Additional Lessons

Kwanzaa Grades TK-2
Kwanzaa Grades 3-5
December Light Celebrations Around the World Grades 3-5, some videos can be used for K-2

Texts

Saint Lucia’s Day Saint Lucia’s Day is the feast day of Saint Lucia (also known as Santa Lucia or Saint Lucy), one of the earliest Christian martyrs. It is celebrated on December 13. Saint Lucia’s Day, also known as Luciadagen, marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia (a region that includes Sweden, Norway, and Denmark). Saint Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights and is meant to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year.
Las Posadas Las Posadas is a Christmas festival celebrated in Latin America, especially Mexico, and in Hispanic communities in the United States. The name is Spanish for “the Inns.” The festival is celebrated for nine nights, beginning on December 16 and ending on Christmas Eve. Las Posadas recalls the journey Joseph and Mary made to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus Christ. When they arrived in Bethlehem, they could not find a room at an inn. Mary and Joseph were forced to stay in a stable, where Jesus was born.
Christmas Learn about the winter holiday celebrated on December 25.
Diwali: Festival of Lights Learn about India's biggest holiday of the year.
10 Fabulous Facts About Diwali Discover the fascinating festival of lights…
Hanukkah Lasting eight days, the joyous Jewish holiday celebrates a miracle from more than 2,000 years ago
Celebrating Kwanzaa Learn about this holiday that celebrates Black heritage in the United States as well as African culture.
Lunar New Year Lunar New Year is a festival celebrated in many Asian countries. It is also called Spring Festival. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates of the holiday vary slightly from year to year.

Videos

Home For the Holidays (TK-2) No matter what holidays you celebrate during the most wonderful time of the year, love, family, togetherness, and giving are universal. In this diversity book for kids, share in the joy with Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and more friends with festivities on Sesame Street! From Thanksgiving and Eid al-Fitr, to Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year's, this special picture book is a heartfelt celebration of different cultures and holidays from around the world. Featuring new and international Sesame Street characters, this sweet story proves that the things everyone cherishes are the same…because there's no place like home for the holidays.
Kevin’s Kwanzaa Read Aloud (TK-2) Kevin's family is celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa! Kevin helps his mom decorate the Kwanzaa table. They light candles with Grandma and Grandpa and learn a special word each day. They talk about working together and solving problems. On the sixth day, everyone eats and dances at a big feast!
HANUKKAH UPSIDE DOWN by Elissa Brent Weissman | A Hanukkah Story (TK-2) In this award-winning, delightfully upside-down picture book holiday story, cousins from opposite sides of the globe debate who can celebrate the best Hanukkah. Eight chances to prove it—may the best cousin win!
We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga
We Celebrate Light Read Aloud
Learn About St. Lucia’s Day & Practice Sight Words! (for Kindergarten with Visuals for ELLs) Learn about the holiday St. Lucia's Day AND practice kindergarten sight words! Sight words are presented in context for ELLs (English Language Learners). Designed for kindergarten students, including ESL kids. The high frequency words in this video are for beginning level sight word practice in English. A unique St. Lucia's Day informational kindergarten video.
Learn About Las Posadas AND Practice Sight Words! (for Kindergarten with Visuals for ELLs) Learn about the Mexican/Latino Christmas holiday Las Posadas AND practice kindergarten sight words! Sight words are presented in context for ELLs (English Language Learners). Designed for kindergarten students, including ESL kids. The high frequency words in this video are for beginning level sight word practice in English. A unique Las Posadas informational kindergarten video in English.
Las Posadas for Kids In this video, children will learn all about the history, traditions, food, and symbols of the nine-day Hispanic Christmas festival, Las Posadas.
Christmas Traditions Around the World In this video, children will learn about various Christmas traditions around the world!
Winter Holidays Around the World for Kids In this video, children will discover the rich traditions and celebrations of winter holidays from different cultures around the globe! From Hanukkah’s Festival of Lights to the joyful bonfires of Lohri, we’ll journey through the customs that make each holiday special.
All About Diwali for Kids In this video, children will learn all about Diwali, a holiday celebrated in India that involves family members coming together, large feasts, and fireworks!
Binny's Diwali By Thrity Umrigar Binny woke up happy but nervous. It was her day to share about Diwali, the Festival of Lights! Binny is excited to talk to her class about her favorite holiday. But she struggles to find the words.Taking a deep breath, she tells her classmates about the fireworks that burst like stars in the night sky, leaving streaks of gold and red and green. She shares with them delicious pedas and jalebis. And she shows them clay lamps, called diyas, which look so pretty all the children ooh and aah. Featuring a heartwarming story by Thrity Umrigar, enchanting illustrations by Nidhi Chanani, and detailed information about the Hindu festival of lights, Binny's Diwali is a holiday treat.
What is Hanukkah? | Hanukkah for Kids! Find out about Hanukkah in this bright and colourful factual video for kids! The lead-up to the end of the year is the perfect time to teach your pupils about different celebrations and festivities that happen in December. This video all about Hanukkah is a great way to introduce your students to the Jewish festival of light.
Light the Lights (Hanukkah and Christmas) Happy (early) Hanukkah everyone! In honor of the season starting, enjoy Light the Lights, a story about celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas.
Kwanzaa Facts for Kids In this video, children of all ages will learn facts about the African American holiday, Kwanzaa.
What is Lunar New Year? Are you looking to learn more about how the world celebrates Lunar New Year? In this video, we'll give you a rundown of what the Lunar New Year is all about and how some countries celebrate this time of year. From fireworks to traditional food and culture, we'll tell you everything you need to know about Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year.
Let’s Celebrate Here is a wonderful book, 'Let's Celebrate! Special Days Around the World' by Kate DePalma
Lights of Winter In today’s story, we offer the children a look at numerous ways people have celebrated this time of year throughout history. Winter celebrations may have different names and practices, but we find a beautiful shared theme of moving from darkness to light as seasons shift from winter to spring. Notice what similarities your celebration has to others mentioned in “Lights of Winter.” Follow up this reading with a conversation about the ways your family uses light in your winter rituals and traditions!