In preparation for Chanukah, my students and I explore light and dark. Below, some art projects based on these themes.
Teacher Preparation:
Vocabulary words:
“Or” light
“Choshech” dark
“Ner” Candle
“Nerot” Candles
“Ner Tamid” eternal flame/light
“Shamash” – helper
In the story of Chanukah, the Macabbees dedicate the Temple by lighting the Ner Tamid, a light that stays lit always. That means it’s still lit today. That is a pretty special kind of light. What does this kind of light look like?
What if the song, “This Little Light of Mine” is about the Ner Tamid in each one of us? Hold your Ner Tamid over the place in your body where you feel it.
Our hands can make the shape of the Chanukiyah (special menorah used on Chanukah with 9 candle holders). How do we use our hands to send light out into the world?
*vocab game: Wiggle one finger like a candle flame and say “Ner.” Wiggle two fingers and say “Shabbat Nerot.” Wiggle eight fingers, overlapping the thumbs together like this picture and say “Chanukah Nerot.” Wave all ten fingers with palms facing up and “Birthday Nerot.” Wave your hand like a giant flame in front of your heart and say “Ner Tamid.”
What if on Chanukah we think about darkness. Where is there darkness in the world? Students made these Chanukiyot, dedicating each night’s candle to a different kind of darkness they feel in the world or a place where they want to send their light. My favorite part of this is that the student takes on the role of Shamash.
What if on Chanukah, we honor the light in the world. What does the world’s light look like? What does our light look like when we send it out into the world?
What does your personal, internal Ner Tamid or source of light look like?
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Posted in Activities for home and classroom, Chanukah, Hebrew Vocabulary, Holidays, Lesson Plans and Heart Pointing
