Today's Classroom Activities :

What Are Latkes?

Lovely Latkes
Social Studies During the celebration of Hanukkah, read or tell the legend of the oil that didn't run out for eight days, then make latkes (potato pancakes) using any pancake mix and adding a handful of shredded potatoes to the batter. Serve the pancakes with applesauce or sour cream.

Read Lots of Latkes: A Hanukkah Story by Sandy Lanton (Kar-Ben, 2003), a lighthearted, educational K-3 book.

Hanukkah Time
Poetry/Social Studies Provide pictures of the items mentioned in the poem: latkes, dreidels, Hanukkah candles, etc. Read the poem and discuss the items and what they're used for. Read the poem again, having children clap the rhythm. Then read it once more and have the children raise their hands when they hear an "-ing" word.

Hanukkah Time

by Jacqueline Schiff

Candles kindling,
Children singing,
Hanukkah is
Just beginning.

Dreidels spinning,
Apples simmering,
Latkes sizzling,
Pennies shimmering.

Families gathering,
Voices ringing;
Hugging, kissing,
Children grinning.

Gifts unwrapping.
Clapping out this rhyme.
Hanukkah is
A miracle time!

Hanukkah, Shmanukkah! by Esme Raji Codell (Hyperion, 2005). On her website, www.planetesme.com, the author dubs this rollicking read-aloud "A kosher Christmas Carol."

No Latkes for Dixie
In this story the family dog wants to share the Hanukkah celebration—at least one delicious part of it.