Colorn Colorado is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of bilingual, research-based information, activities, and advice for educators and families of English language learners (ELLs). Likewise, if students need to excuse themselves for prayer during the school day, it'd be best to plan a schedule and accommodate them in such a way that it does not interfere with their educational time in the classroom or with other students. It does mean that you make choices that do not disrespect or leave out any family. This year, Spredfast has planned a holiday gift drive where teams can sign up to receive $300 from Spredfast to purchase gifts for nonprofit organizations or charities of their choosing.Susan Milligan is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C. You have successfully saved this page as a bookmark. Here are some resources to help you teach your children about different holidays: PBS Parents: Search for "holiday diversity" or "cultural diversity" for a great list of resources. Knowing the purpose and worldview underlying a holiday will help you make decisions about what role, if any, you want that holiday to play in your program. 2. Non-Thinking Use Holiday Biased Curriculum An Anti-Biased Approach Some of the guidelines urge educators to: The complete guide and a more comprehensive list of recommendations is available at the First Amendment Center website. A lifetime activist for children and families, she continues to write, teach, and consult on issues of equity, diversity, and anti-bias. This court decision has three important parts to it: [*such as classroom instruction in a public school]. When elementary-age children have holidays and parents do not, parents can be left scrambling for day care options. There are other differences but, hopefully, the integrity and spirit of the celebration have been maintained and will enable your students to enter respectfully into the experience. President Obama called for a longer school year to extend learning opportunities for K-12 students. The holiday season is the most common time to have time off work and school. Holiday celebrations build and strengthen connections between home and school, and among children who share the same holidays. With holidays becoming more commercial, Christmas and Chanukah have lost some of their value. You'll miss home. The First Amendment Center, in coalition with the AFT and a number of other organizations including the NEA, have issued a guide for educators on such issues called "Finding Common Ground." In addition to, or instead of, celebrating the holidays observed by childrens families, some teachers create their own celebrations for various parts of the school year. And teachers, like their students, behave in ways that reflect their culture. Some students, especially those in early elementary grades, may not be mature enough to care for a class pet. She complains to the head teacher that both her and her daughters feelings were hurt. Please purchase a SHRM membership before saving bookmarks. Connect with professionals in your community at conferences, networking events, advocacy efforts, leadership opportunities and more! Deepen your professional knowledge wherever you are with NAEYCs exciting webinar series and online and face-to-face training opportunities. Leaked Footage Shows People Inexplicably Walking Into Building That Has No Food. I avoid sacred topics but honor the stories, characters, and rituals of holidays as symbols of positive values. There's no doubt about it; at some point in your experience, you're going to miss something about where you come from, whether it be the people you love, your pet, the food, or just being able to speak your own language more often. Check out our blog on, Empty cart. Step #1: Save My Cart Preparations * Cover a large table with a cloth. Fax: 888.834.1303, Found the perfect materials for your classroom? Celebrating holidays can be a fun and festive way to break up the repetition of day-to-day instruction. This approach makes it possible for every child to participate in shared special days with the rest of the class. Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964 says employers cant discriminate based on religion, and must reasonably accommodate employees sincerely held religious practices unless it will cause the employer an undue hardship. That means people cant be fired because their religion forbids them from working on the Sabbath, but it also means companies arent required to let the entire staff take off the entire week of Christmas. Arguing that it is okay for a program to celebrate a dominant culture religious holiday, on the rationale that the props and activities connected to the holiday are not specifically religious, but just fun and therefore okay for everyone (e.g., Christmas trees, Santa Claus, cards, and gift giving, or Easter bunnies and egg hunts), does not respect cultural and religious diversity. How do teachers approach such issues as textbook content, values education, controversial issues, and religious holidays? Thats why its interesting, even surprising, that nearly 100 percent of students say they celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, Passover, and Halloween. Your job is to make students aware of the many cultures around them and to help them find commonalities among themselves and those they may view as different from themselves. Advantages Time With Family and Friends: When school is in session, it almost becomes a job for high school students. Luckily, the teacher notices the conflicted expression on Esthers face and intervenes: Esther, do you know that cake is made with leavened flour and that you cant eat it during Passover? Esther nods her head. There are countless Christian Seders available online if you choose to go that route. 520 East Bainbridge Street However, that desert meal, or even the meal that Jesus and his disciples shared, probably bears little resemblance to Seder celebrations of our time. "I was able to sleep in, but also go out. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. The Seder was further developed in medieval times, yet scholars believe that the wording and sequence of aspects of the Seder differed from community to community. Many in the education community believe that this is due to an outdated school schedule still based on a harvest schedule that gives students summers off and extensive holidays throughout the year. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Others point to the fact that some classrooms get carried away with four weeks spent crafting every possible variation on a turkey theme, while the . For example, for many Jewish people, Passover is a more significant holiday than Hanukkah, but Hanukkah is the Jewish holiday that teachers often cover since it occurs near Christmas. Some of the most prominent are African-American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women's History Month. Please add products before saving :). Pros and Cons Preschool Theme Days Are Fun! You have to be sensitive to peoples religions, said Louise Ann Fernandez, a labor and employment lawyer with the California-based firm Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell. These are topics that require clarifying conversations. Caution: Eliminate the nuts if there are students with allergies. Celebrations can also be whimsical and playfulfor example, Bring Books Alive Day (making and wearing costumes from books, eating foods from favorite books, acting out favorite stories); Pajama Day (wearing pjs and slippers to school, telling bedtime stories, sharing family bedtime rituals); or Backwards Day (wearing clothes backwards, doing things in reverse order of an ordinary day). Explore jobs in theCareer Center and findhigher education and professional development opportunities. Personal decorations are fine as long as the decorations are kept to a minimum and are not in any way treading on the rights of othersand that includes ensuring that decorations dont create an unnavigable workspace, said Natalie Holder, an employment lawyer and founder and CEO of Quest Join us at the members-only event and build your advocacy skills, expand your networks, and advance federal and state early childhood policy. Some schools may place no limit on holiday discussion while others may ask teachers to skip lessons on holidays entirely. Children's social behavior and emotions are still . Instead, people look forward to the holidays for the presents that they'll receive. Statistically speaking, it falls below the national average for religiosity, with just over 20 percent of the population officially affiliating with a specific church, temple, or mosque. When viewing video content or other materials at home, students have the option of learning at their own pace. In May, I teach the children English Morris dances, which date back to springtime planting celebrations of more than a thousand years ago. Plus, not everyone celebrates Halloween. If you want to learn about another culture but aren't sure where to start, a cultural festival can be a great springboard for your education. Instead of being at school, students are merely shuffled to another home or institution. Pro: Appreciate the money, time, and effort spent in decorating the tree as much as you can prior to Christmas Day, because after that, they are just a sad reminder that the holiday is over. The head teacher explains Edwards right to practice fasting. As there are three sides to holiday work, we will take a look at each of them individually: For the employees Complete-A-Project Bible Search: Following Jesus, Complete-A-Project Bible Search: Jesus Teaches about the Law, Catechist: Im discouraged. Included: 1. Donate to help NAEYC advance a strong and dynamic early childhood profession and connect educators to cutting-edge resources. $("span.current-site").html("SHRM China "); Pros and Cons PROS Students have more control over their learning. All cultures commemorate beliefs, historical events, and people significant to the culture through special celebrations and holidays from daily work. Published October 9, 2017. Check out our five tips for celebrating holidays in the classroom in an impactful and appropriate way. You get to do what you like in the weather you like, and all at the low price of 'off season' (as they say in tourist industry jargon). The heat. Up to 3 times higher prices of services. Some [employers] give major Christian and Jewish holidays off and are moving to include major Muslim holidays as well. Anti-Bias Education: The December Holidays from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. There is, however, the potential for problems when you discuss religious themes in a public school, like a parent complaining that you are preaching. While students may not need the amount of time off they currently receive, some breaks encourage rest and give students the boost they need to do their best when they are back in class. Major support provided by our founding partner, the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. In addition, some Muslims and members of other religions not only refrain from alcohol but can be offended by its very presence, and so may not want to attend a party where alcohol is served, Holder noted. Tell students that Jewish people celebrate Passover each year with a sacred meal called a Seder. Also, since the public school schedule is largely centered around Christian and Jewish holidays, many students may end up attending school on holidays that are important to them and their families. Celebrating the Holidays and Diversity in the Workplace The winter holidays can also be a source of conflict for HR managers, who must ensure the season doesn't lead to hurt feelings,. The . For expats, holidays can mean liberation from pressures to celebrate with family in the usual ways . And most of us are probably guilty of paying a little less attention to our December friends' big days than we do to birthdays that fall in other months of the year. First, here are some of the good lessons. For instance, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department sued because he was required, he said, to attend a Christmas celebration and training session at a Christian church. Need help with a specific HR issue like coronavirus or FLSA? Cons of teaching abroad 1. During the Jewish Passover celebration, our Jewish brothers and sisters drink wine and eat unleavened bread. Celebrate holidays from a variety of cultures, not just one. Some costumes cost a lot of money. First, we build a democratic foundation for equal access to education. Activities that foster these objectives prepare children to live in a diverse society with respect while cherishing their own beliefs. Pros of Celebrating Holidays: Only shows limited view of a culture. Many teachers will be glad to honor your family's beliefs if they know your wishes. Text 1: A magazine article about the pros and cons of celebrating Valentine's Day in general. With generous support provided by the National Education Association. They can also help teach important lessons about kindness, gratefulness, and selflessness. Copyright 2014, Bayard, Inc. All rights reserved. Celebrate young children and their families with hands-on activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, food, and art. 00:48. When beginning a lesson about the winter holidays right around Thanksgiving, I ask the question, What is one thing many of the winter holiday traditions have in common? Among many correct answers, the one I am looking for is light. The stories, traditions, and lore of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and even Chinese New Year contain things like stars, fireworks, lamps, candles, and fire. One example would be using it as a time to talk about different beliefs of life, death, and what happens after death. At my school, this lines up with our four pillars: knowledge, community, effort, and kindness. They use this information to answer the question of whether a fictitious community should continue to recognize Columbus Day. celebrating cultural diversity in your classroom! Consider the following holiday examples: A mother brings a special lunch to school for her childs birthday. $("span.current-site").html("SHRM MENA "); Small notes may not be considered thoughtful. Celebrations can be respectfulfor example, Honoring Our Families get-togethers; Thanking the People Who Make Our School Work (cook, janitor, bus driver, etc.) Discover practical tips and innovative ideas for preschool teachers in our award-winning magazine. Place a small pillow on each chair. If your child does not believe in Santa Claus, there's no risk of some kid at school telling them about Santa before you can handle it with kid gloves. This article shows teachers how to bring rich cultural content into their teaching in a way that expands students' knowledge, interest, and respect for the group being featured. As we work to instill a strong sense of community and tolerance in our children, teaching the shared values of the holidays fits right in with our social and academic curricula. Secondly, we help students develop their own culturally sensitive skills to be successful in our diverse, multicultural, and global world, enriching not our classroom, but our nation as well. Most importantly, teaching children about the holidays guides them into lifelong learning and into thoughtfully and reflectively celebrating their own holidays within our diverse society. Understanding the different ways people do and dont celebrate; learning accurate, respectful vocabulary about holidays; broadening childrens worldview of what a holiday isthese are all wonderful, powerful learning outcomes for children about holidays. Pros And Cons Of Celebrating Columbus Day. Disadvantages of Homeschooling. Tell your students that they will have the opportunity to participate in a modern-day Seder in this session. 2. A charity committee, called #BeNiceAndSocial, organizes ways for employees to give back each holiday season. Celebration of Christmas is a staple in preschools and elementary education settings. No! And all dominant culture holidays reflect a particular perspective about historic events and particular groups of people who are admired and those who are erased. Support our mission and reach the NAEYC audience through your advertisement, conference exhibit booth, or sponsorship. Here are some key ideas. FREE eBooks offer for blended learning! Take America at the turn of the 20th century that's when our country experienced one of its major influxes of newcomers, and waves of immigrants made their way to our shores. Read about this initiative focused on equity in early childhood and find other equity-related content. Look for the and see details. } One benefit of participating in Halloween events and celebrations is that it could be used as a conversation starter, sparking discussion between you and your children. You may also want to take into account your own personal comfort level as well as what your particular class can handle. A bunch of snowflakes or garlands on the walls, for example, is perfectly OK, but a manger scene is such a religious symbol that it could offend non-Christian workers, lawyers and experts say. But having a culturally-aware, inclusive classroom means recognizing that for many cultures, there are significant holidays year-round. . Acknowledging or celebrating holidays in early childhood programs can bring pleasure to many families, staff, and children and can be useful in building connections between school and families. Check out this list of alternatives to celebrating holidays Read More about Alternatives to Celebrating Holidays in the Classroom. Step #2: Personalize My Email, Looking for more ways to foster an inclusive space at school? Read about NAEYCs leadership, mission, values and beliefs, and strategic governance. Subjects: Language Arts, Literature, Geography, History. Video reduces the time of reading and allows you to "instruct" asynchronously. Many parents do not have the same time off as their children, causing added expense with babysitting or daycare. Years ago, following a holiday concert I had just conducted at a small Vermont elementary school, a parent approached me with a complaint. Christmas = Snow And snow means being cold, which is only cool when you're snuggling under soft blankets with a hot drink. Members may download one copy of our sample forms and templates for your personal use within your organization. For any reprint requests, please contact the author or publisher listed. Celebrating your students cultures is a great way to embrace diversity, but its also a chance to honor the commonalities that bring us together. Teaching Elementary-Age ELLs the Hidden Curriculum, Christmas Stories: American Indian Heritage, Winter Stories: Asian Pacific American Heritage, My Celebrations: Books For Young Children, Migrant Students: What We Need to Know to Help Them Succeed, How to Create a Welcoming Classroom Environment for ELLs, Tips for Choosing Culturally Appropriate Native Books and Resources, Social and Emotional Support for Refugee Families: A School Psychology Perspective, 10 Strategies for Building Relationships with ELLs, Language Objectives: The Key to Effective Content Area Instruction for English Learners, Supporting ELLs in the Mainstream Classroom: 12 Strategies for Language Instruction, Using Cognates to Develop Comprehension in English, Culturally Responsive Instruction for Holiday and Religious Celebrations. If she had, she might have planned with themfor example, asking if the the birthday childs family might check with Esthers family about bringing a non-leaven cookie or pastry for Esther. For example, Mothers Day and Fathers Day, in the traditional narrative, recognize only one type of family. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Restaurants, coffee shops, shopping places are closed. In the beginning, our nation was primarily the home of Native Americans and other indigenous groups representing more than 400 languages, Africans from a wide range of different regions, and Europeans of mostly British heritage. History of Elf on the Shelf The scout elf tradition . While everyone wants American students to be competitive, students need a break from the classroom occasionally. Please note that all such forms and policies should be reviewed by your legal counsel for compliance with applicable law, and should be modified to suit your organizations culture, industry, and practices. Sponsor study about religion, not the practice of religion. Some schools also have graduation ceremonies or Youre Off to Kindergarten parties for children transitioning out of the programs. The word seder means order or arrangement. Rabbinical scholars tell us that the Seder has evolved over the years. One of the benefits of school holidays is the time that families can spend together. One can teach about the holidays from October all the way through May, beginning with the harvest and the holidays of Halloween and Diwali and ending with the rituals of Passover, Easter, and May Day. Image Credit: Brian A Jackson/Shutter Stock 145450387. There are pros and cons to this as well, since it really can go either way. SHRM Employment Law & Compliance Conference, Celebrating the Holidays and Diversity in the Workplace, New OSHA Guidance Clarifies Return-to-Work Expectations, Trump Suspends New H-1B Visas Through 2020, Faking COVID-19 Illness Can Have Serious Consequences, Antisemitism Fears, Incidents Are Rising in the US, Former CNN Anchor Speaks on Being Canceled, Overcoming Biases, How to Balance Religious Accommodations with Company Vaccination Requirements. PROS: Video is engaging and fun, it triggers more senses and can enhance learning. They can also help teach important lessons about kindness, gratefulness, and selflessness. Everything you need is included: the nonfiction articles, a graphic organizer, stationery, and a rubric to grade the essays. Youll likely find that there are ways to celebrate diversity all year long. Be sure the table is large enough for all class members to sit around. When the economy is unstable, employers are faced with difficult decisions around staffing, pay and benefits. Reasons to avoid Vietnam during Tet (lunar new year) Everything closes down. Your language choices also support or undercut the concept of religious diversity and each familys freedom of choice. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, the Seder is a sacred ritual. Video Program Guide. Taking days off here and there can provide students with the mental break they need to be engaged when they go back to school. Student Journaling as a Tool for Teaching English Language Learners. Engage with our policy agendas, advocacy resources, and current initiatives. 3. First Amendment Centers Finding Common Ground, Be open to answering questions from students, talk with students about mindfulness and reflection, explore how light and shadow work while celebrating Diwali. By this they mean that different actions, readings, and prayers have changed through the centuries. 1. That includes: Winter is the least busy month for movers because not many people want to move when it is extremely cold outside. } }); if($('.container-footer').length > 1){ These days, many public schools use the First Amendment Centers Finding Common Ground as their academic guide. Neither members nor non-members may reproduce such samples in any other way (e.g., to republish in a book or use for a commercial purpose) without SHRMs permission. Text 2: A magazine article about the pros and cons of children celebrating Valentine's Day. Jesus was a devout Jew, as were his first disciples. * Place a bowl of water and a hand towel on the table as well, near the head of the table. If you are dating or married to someone that wants a large Valentine's day celebration, it may not be the time to make it small.
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