Kwanzaa Math Worksheets

What is Kwanzaa? Like other celebrations held in the US, one of the most notable celebrations is the Kwanzaa. Every year, the Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days in the United States to honor universal African heritage and culture. It takes place from December 26th to January 1st. To take part in the happiness, the Non-African Americans also celebrate the Kwanzaa. The first-ever Kwanzaa was celebrated from 1966-1967. Many people decorate their homes with African art and the traditional colors of green, black, and red. People also wear traditional African clothing. The women wear a colorful wrap, which is known as Kaftan, while men wear colorful shirts called Dashiki paired with a hat called Kufi. The most important tradition of the Kwanzaa is the lighting of Kinara. It is a candle holder with seven candles. On the last day of Kwanzaa, the families get together for a large feast, which is known as Karamu. Sometimes, Karamu is also celebrated in local churches or community centers to enjoy the traditional African dishes. Perfect for the December holiday season. We incorporated a wide range of themes that will help your students work through the Math Standards.

Sheets Sorted By Common Core Skill

• Choosing Differences during Kwanzaa(K.MD.B.3.N.3) - Choose the different object in each group.
• Converting from Expanded Form(2.NBT.A.3.M.13) - Write the following numbers in standard form.
• Kwanzaa Geometry - Halves, Quarters, Fourths(2.G.3) - Shapes can be divided into equal parts. Look at the circles and rectangles below and choose or color in the correct answer.
• Kwanzaa Multiplication Equations(4.OA.1) - Interpret the answer for each multiplication equation by carefully reading each multiplicative comparison.
• Reducing Fractions(4.NF.A.1.Q.4) - Reduce the fractions to the lowest terms.
• Converting between Celsius & Fahrenheit(6.EE.A.2c.Y. 10) - Convert the following temperatures between celsius and fahrenheit. Estimate your answers.
• Kwanzaa Roots(8.EE.A.2) - Look at each problem and calculate the square or cubed root. Write out the entire numerical expression when calculating your answer.
• Rules of Function Tables(8.F.B.4.V.4) - Find the rule for each function table.

Core Aligned and Leveled Collection

Kindergarten

• Addition with Sums up to 10(K.OA.A.1.I.8) - Solve the following addition problems.
• Tall and Short(K.MD.A.1.Q.2) - Choose the correct answer for the following taller and shorter problems.
• Planar & Solid Figures(K.G.B.4.S.5) - Choose the shape planar shape that matches the solid shape.

Grade 1

• Converting between Tens and Ones(1.NBT.B.2a.I.4) - Solve the following by converting between tens and ones as instructed.
• Finding ways to make up a Number using Subtraction(1.OA.C.6.D.5) - Choose the correct answer for the following subtraction problems.
• Kwanzaa Comparing Review(1.MD.C.4.G.1) - Are there more candles or flags?

Grade 2

• Balanced Equations up to 20(2.OA.A.1.G.10) - Balance the following equations.
• Addition & Subtraction Inequalities(2.NBT.B.9.K.5) - Solve the following inequality problems. Write the sign on the line.

Grade 3

• Completing Division Tables(3.OA.A.2.G.13) - Complete the following division tables.
• Fractions on Number Lines(3.NF.A.2b.S.4) - Write the fraction that represents the dot on each number line.
• Compare Area & Perimeter of 2 Figures(3.MD.D.8.R.14) - Compare the area or perimeter of the shapes and mark your answer.
• Rounding Numbers(3.NBT.A.1.L.1) - Round the following numbers as instructed.

Grade 4

• Finding the Missing Factors(4.OA.A.1.D.2) - Find the missing factors.
• Kwanzaa Story Problems(4.OA.2 ) - Kwanzaa is a relatively new holiday, and began in 1966. It is the first official African-American holiday, and is a week-long celebration of AfricanAmerican culture and heritage.
• Estimate Angle Measurements(4.MD.C.5b.P.14) - Choose the best estimate for the following angles.

Grade 5

• Understanding Decimals Expressed in Words(5.NBT.A.3a.C.2) - Write the decimal that expressed in words.
• Finding Inequalities With Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers(5.NF.A.1.M.16) - Solve for the following addition and subtraction mixed number inequalities.
• Writing Variable Expressions(5.OA.A.2.Q.2) - Write a variable expression for the following.

Grade 6

• Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, & Dividing Decimals(6.NS.B.3.X.4) - Solve for the following addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division decimal problems.
• Review of Coordinate Graphs(6.G.A.3.Q.1) - Determine the what quadrant each of coordinate points would be placed.
• Ratio Tables(6.R.P.A.3a. AA .2) - Compete the ratio tables.

Grade 7

• Integer Addition & Subtraction Rules(7.NS.A.1b.E.1) - Choose the correct answer for the following addition & subtraction problems by using the rules of addition and subtraction.
• Calculating Circles Area, Circumference, Diameter, & Radius(7.GB.4.P.22) - The radius of the circle is 6mm. What is the diameter?
• Probability Worksheet(7.SP.C.5.Z.1) - Bryant has been selected to carry a candle in the Kwanzaa celebration at the local community center. There will be six other children carrying candles. There are 3 green candles. If candles are randomly selected, what is the probability of Bryant carrying a green candle?

Grade 8

• Solution to System of Equations(8.EE.C.8a.Y.1) - Determine if the following (x,y) coordinates are solutions to the system of equations.
• Converting Decimals to Fractions & Mixed Numbers(8.NS.A.1.D.6) - Convert the following decimals to fractions or mixed numbers. Simplify to lowest terms.

Math Ideas That Relate to Kwanzaa

The more we can help students experience other cultures, the better citizens they will be over a lifetime. There are number of ways to include this theme in your daily routine. There are a number of things that you can do to heighten your own curriculum with this theme. Each night of Kwanzaa a candle is light to symbolize a different concept or principle. Each of the principles is focused on peace, love, and unity. I find it a great idea to relate each principle (night of Kwanzaa) to something that you can do in class.

The first day is called Umoja (unity). A great way to explore the concept of unity is explaining symmetry and asymmetry to students and then having them actually classify real world objects. The second day is called Kujichagulia and it is all about self-determination. This day focuses on being a creator of sorts. I find it help to give students a free project of sorts with some guidance. I have had them build origami and then classify the shapes. I like this to be relevant to the current times, so this is usually a very open activity. The third day is called Ujima which is focused on collective work and responsibility. The perfect time for a cooperative project with other students. The fourth day is Ujamaa which is centered on cooperative economics. A great time to explore a family-owned business. I often ask a local family business owner to come in and speak to students. Students are often amazed by the schedule of these family business owners.

Nia is the fifth day of Kwanzaa, and it is focused on community purpose. This means helping others in mass. I often spend this time doing something that is a community service project. The sixth day is called Kuumba and the principle explored here is the concept of creativity. This is where you want to explore the more artistic side of your students. A good project is to have construct a drawing solely with only two- or three-dimensional geometric shapes. Once they are done, have them label each of the shapes. The last day is called Imani and it is centered around the concept of faith. While this is often a tricky concept in school, a good approach is focus on someone they admire and have them bring this to words.