Literature: Monday, December 10, 20121. Handouts:

* Independent Reading Chart

2. Homework: * Read AR book 20 – 30 minutes & record progress on chart

3. Assignments Due: * Independent Reading Chart for Dec. 3 – Dec. 9

Today’s Goal: Read and analyze a story depicting the historical beginnings of Hanukkah.

Outcomes:1. Summarize the events that led to the establishment of

Hanukkah as a Jewish holiday.2. Describe how they would feel about this holiday if they were

Jewish.3. Listen to two traditional Hanukkah songs and examine the role

of music in holiday traditions.4. Participate in a ritual observed by Jewish people to

commemorate Hanukkah.

Starter #1:As we continue our unit on “Holiday Traditions,” I have a question for you. . . . Why do people create holidays or traditions? What’s the purpose?

Today we are going read a very special story. . . . This story is very important to people of Jewish ancestry. In fact, this story led to the creation of a Jewish holiday that is 23 centuries old. . . .

Starter #2:As we read this story, pretend that you are Jewish, that you have Jewish ancestors. When we finish reading this story, I will ask you three questions: 1) As a Jewish person, how do you feel about this story? 2) Why would you want your descendants to know this story? 3) What you would do to keep this story alive for all generations?

Let’s discuss the Hanukkah story. . . * What were the events that led to the creation of this holiday? * Discuss the three questions cited above.

Starter #2:One way cultures commemorate special events is by creating songs. . . . The Chanukah Song Shehecheyanu

You know that religion is part of every culture, and every religion has its own ritual practices. Can you name a ritual from today’s story, one that is similar to Catholicism?

Which ritual practice is older—has been in existence longer—the Catholics’ lighting of candles or the Jewish people’s lighting of Menorahs? Many of the practices we have as Catholics have come from the traditions of Judaism. Why? The Christian religion is an offshoot of Judaism: Christianity was born out of Judaism.