The following document is meant as a guide for teachers as they reflectively consider how holiday activities are incorporated into the life of our classrooms. These guidelines are not in reaction to perceived problems. Rather, they are a compilation of the good practices currently in place. It is our hope that by thinking about the purposes of teaching and celebrating holidays we will, as a whole school community, continue to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse student population in an aspect of life that has so much meaning for children.
This policy was developed by the School Site Council. While the ideas were generated by the members of the SSC, much of the language and format was excerpted from the book Celebrate! An Anti-Bias Guide to Enjoying Holidays by Julie Bisson.
The School Site Council is open to feedback and suggestions from the Joyce Kilmer community.
Definition of Holiday Activities Holiday activities can be as simple as reading a book about a holiday and as elaborate as having a party in the classroom. Activities often involve a group discussion, art or music related projects.
Why teach and celebrate holidays? Some of the reasons we teach and celebrate holidays are:
Time spent on holidays There are no hard and fast rules about the time that should be spent because the amount of time will vary according to the age, interests and needs of the children. In general, we will celebrate through parties three of four holidays a year. We may recognize or teach holidays in a brief manner, such as simply reading a book on Evacuation Day or in a more in-depth manner such as teaching about civil rights around Martin Luther King Day.
Deciding Which Holidays to Include
Our school is continually changing as the city of Boston changes and welcomes immigrants from different parts of the world. Thus, as we decide on which holidays to include, we will want to think about our actual students. In addition, teachers can reflect on holidays that have importance to them as individuals. For example, if a teacher has a passion for American history, her class can only benefit from experiencing that passion around Patriots Day. Teachers may also want to consider including holidays that are outside of the knowledge-base or experiences of her class and herself to include those that are important to our larger community and city. Teachers may want to teach one “unfamiliar” holiday on occasion. Teachers are encouraged to discuss with their grade-level partner, the list of holidays they are considering.
Guidelines for Holiday Activities and Celebrations
Plan for Working with Children and Families Who Don’t Celebrate Holidays
If a child in our classroom does not celebrate a particular holiday, we will work with the principal and family to devise a plan so that the child does not feel left out or uncomfortable during the holiday teaching or celebration. Families should contact their child’s teacher in advance to let them know of any issues.
Evaluating our Holiday Guidelines The School Site Council will discuss the teaching and celebrating of holidays during each June meeting and will make recommendations as needed.
This policy was developed by the School Site Council. While the ideas were generated by the members of the SSC, much of the language and format was excerpted from the book Celebrate! An Anti-Bias Guide to Enjoying Holidays by Julie Bisson.
The School Site Council is open to feedback and suggestions from the Joyce Kilmer community.
Definition of Holiday Activities Holiday activities can be as simple as reading a book about a holiday and as elaborate as having a party in the classroom. Activities often involve a group discussion, art or music related projects.
Why teach and celebrate holidays? Some of the reasons we teach and celebrate holidays are:
- To make all children feel accepted and to validate the cultures and experiences of their homes
- To teach about time and cycles of life
- To have fun
- To teach diversity and tolerance by learning about other cultures, traditions and religions
- To teach the virtues associated with particular holidays- peace, friendship, love, etc.
- To create a sense of family or community within classrooms and within our school
Time spent on holidays There are no hard and fast rules about the time that should be spent because the amount of time will vary according to the age, interests and needs of the children. In general, we will celebrate through parties three of four holidays a year. We may recognize or teach holidays in a brief manner, such as simply reading a book on Evacuation Day or in a more in-depth manner such as teaching about civil rights around Martin Luther King Day.
Deciding Which Holidays to Include
Our school is continually changing as the city of Boston changes and welcomes immigrants from different parts of the world. Thus, as we decide on which holidays to include, we will want to think about our actual students. In addition, teachers can reflect on holidays that have importance to them as individuals. For example, if a teacher has a passion for American history, her class can only benefit from experiencing that passion around Patriots Day. Teachers may also want to consider including holidays that are outside of the knowledge-base or experiences of her class and herself to include those that are important to our larger community and city. Teachers may want to teach one “unfamiliar” holiday on occasion. Teachers are encouraged to discuss with their grade-level partner, the list of holidays they are considering.
Guidelines for Holiday Activities and Celebrations
- We are inclusive and will strive to validate all of our students. We pay attention to the balance and the importance we put on particular cultures.
- In addition to not over-focusing on particular cultures, we do not over-focus on a particular holiday within one culture. In this way, we are not defining an entire culture or faith through one holiday.
- We do our own research. Teachers learn what they can about a family’s holiday that we are unfamiliar with before asking that family to supply information. A child or his or her family is not solely responsible for teaching a holiday.
- We provide activities and lessons that are age- and developmentally-appropriate and fun and engaging for each grade-level. We recognize that teacher-directed art and reproducible arts and crafts do not foster creativity or facilitate a deeper understanding of a holiday concept.
- We are careful to avoid stereotypes when presenting holiday information, putting up decorations and implementing activities.
- We do not teach the religious aspect of one holiday as the correct one. We can explain religious aspects in a matter-of-fact simple manner.
- We involve families as much as possible and as is age-appropriate in the implementation of holiday activities. We will keep families informed of upcoming holiday activities and events.
Plan for Working with Children and Families Who Don’t Celebrate Holidays
If a child in our classroom does not celebrate a particular holiday, we will work with the principal and family to devise a plan so that the child does not feel left out or uncomfortable during the holiday teaching or celebration. Families should contact their child’s teacher in advance to let them know of any issues.
Evaluating our Holiday Guidelines The School Site Council will discuss the teaching and celebrating of holidays during each June meeting and will make recommendations as needed.