by Michele Ben

Aim
To review reading, spelling and other material on the topic of Hanukah in an enjoyable manner.

Materials

1. Seven pictures of Hanukah scenes.
   These can be pictures from the historical story of Hanukah, families celebrating, or anything else related to Hanukah. One picture is cut up into four pieces. The rest of the pictures are cut up into 5-7 pieces each so that the number of pieces equals the number of pupils in the class.
   
   
2. Six activity boards made out of a quarter of a poster board (1/4 “bristol”).
   The content, syntax and vocabulary used are appropriate for the grade level and class. Therefore, this lesson can be used at almost any grade level. Each board has an activity on it as follows:
   • Unscramble the words – ten to twenty words relating to Hanukah are listed.
   • Who am I? What am I? Where am I? – Short riddles relating to Hanukah.
   • A synopsis of the Hanukah story, presented out of order.
   • A crossword puzzle. Either clues or the answers can be listed to fill in
   • A map of Israel in English. The pupils will find names of places relating to Hanukah, or with the word light, “Or”, in the name of the place.
   • Match the opposites.
   • Ten to twenty sentences to fill in. The words can be forms of light, dark, fire, candle, oil, heroism, assimilation, and so forth, in different contexts. The words and syntax match the class level.
   • Sort the words into categories. The categories can be grammatical forms or anything else. For example, fried foods and baked foods, then and now, plurals and singular.
   • Pictures to identify, or pictures with an item missing.
   
   It is a good idea to prepare more than six boards, but six is the minimum. Clear instructions are written on each board.
   
   
3. Answer sheets for each board.
   The pupils do not write on the boards, but rather, on answer sheets. The sheets are designed for each board. Most look like this:
   
   

   Group_______________
   
   Board Number 1
   (The number of blanks provided is according to the number of answers required.)
   1. ______________
   2.______________
   3.______________
   

Procedure

Distribute the puzzle pieces among the students. They must form groups by completing the puzzle. The judges are the group of four.

Explain the rules.

“Each group gets an activity board. The group must complete the activity as quickly and as quietly as possible. Write the answers on the appropriate answer sheet. Appoint one group member responsible for making sure that the answers are written on the appropriate answer sheet.”

A time limit is given. This can be two to four minutes, depending on the class.

“At the end of the time limit, bring the answer sheet to the judges. Points are allocated for correct answers and for behavior and cooperation.”

Development

The boards are passed clockwise to the next group at the start of each round. Continue until every group has done all the boards. Six groups can do eight boards by pulling out the last board from group six, and putting a new board in at group one. Or, if it's a short lesson period, six groups can do three boards. Two of each board can circulate.
If you end up with extra time, each group can write a few sentences about their puzzle picture. This will add points to their total.

Summary

Again, if there is time, go over some of the answers.
Add up the points and declare a winner. The prize could be a few chocolate coins for each pupil in the winning group, and one chocolate coin for everyone else.
Homework could be one or two of the sheets in worksheet form. Or, try and design another activity board. Or, design an activity board for Tu B'Shvat. Tell students:

"We will repeat the game for the next holiday using boards that you designed."

Happy Holiday!