How to Decorate a Classroom for Hanukkah

Celebrating Hanukkah is very important for many Americans, and introducing Hanukkah to a classroom can be a fun and informational addition to the calendar. Decorating a classroom for Hanukkah means learning a little about the historic stories and traditions of the day, and adapting that to the resources you have available. It's entirely acceptable to decorate with bulletin boards and colorful cut-outs, rather than actually introducing Hanukkah elements like candelabra and fried foods to the classroom.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Pick a color scheme. A classic color pattern for Hanukkah is a mix of gold and warm candlelight colors. The colors, based on the menorah and other icons of Jewish history, help put people in the Hanukkah mood.

2. Make words out of golden letters. The name of the holiday, "Hanukkah," can be spelled different ways in English, because of Hebrew alphabet structures that are not in strict correspondence with the English alphabet. Sometimes the word is written "Chanukah." Either spelling is okay. Adding Hebrew words to your classroom enhances the aura of the Jewish holiday.

3. Add a menorah. This elaborate candlestick icon is central to the Hanukkah experience. It symbolizes the lighting of the flame in the Jewish temple of historical lore. You can bring in a real menorah, or just create a two-dimensional one out of construction paper or other materials to display on a bulletin board.

4. Include dreidels. This Jewish icon has developed into a game for children. It is basically, a "top" with four sides and a Hebrew letter printed on each side. Children can have fun playing with dreidels, even without knowing the historical significance, and add to the Hanukkah spirit.

5. Create an "oil" display. This is a less common Hanukkah decoration--but with real historic significance. Oil played a crucial role in the original Hanukkah celebration and can be a beautiful symbol of Hanukkah. Experiment with backlit bottles to create a dazzling display.

Tips & Warnings

• Skip the gifts. Hanukkah is not Christmas, and while there is a gift-giving tradition around the holiday, it may not be feasible for your classroom. One easy alternative is to hand out small "tokens" (a traditional hanukkah practice) such as chocolate gold-wrapped "coins."
• Pay attention to your school's policies on religious observance of holidays. The school may have standards in place to protect "freedom of religion" or fairness for all students. Talk to administration before celebrating any holiday in the classroom, just to make sure it's okay.

Resources

• Hanukkah decorations
• Hanukkah history