Achieve a Winter Harmony Through Inclusive Celebrations in the Classroom by E.L. Mendes Celebrating Christmas in a politically correct and inclusive way in the classroom involves recognizing and respecting the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions of your students. Here are some ideas to create an inclusive holiday celebration: Dec. 05: St. Nicholas Eve.
2. Diverse Decorations: - Decorate the classroom with symbols and decorations from various winter celebrations. Incorporate snowflakes, winter animals, and generic winter imagery to create a festive atmosphere without emphasizing a specific holiday. Take this snowflake made from popsicle sticks.
Dec 07: Hanukkah. Dec. 08: Bodhi Day. Dec. 13: Santa Lucia Day. Dec. 21: Yule. Dec. 25: Christmas. Dec. 26: Kwanzaa.
1. Winter Celebrations Theme: - Instead of focusing solely on Christmas, create a “Winter Celebrations” theme. Highlight various winter holidays and traditions from different cultures, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and more.
3. Cultural Displays: - Set up displays or bulletin boards showcasing the diverse holiday traditions celebrated by your students. Encourage them to share information, artifacts, or stories related to their cultural celebrations.
4. Holiday Card Exchange: - Instead of a traditional Christmas card exchange, have a “Winter Wishes” or “Kindness Cards” exchange where students share positive messages without reference to specific holidays.
5. Crafts and Activities: - Plan crafts and activities that are inspired by winter themes rather than tied to a particular holiday. Create snowflakes, winter scenes, or other crafts that celebrate the season without being religious or culturally specific.
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Teachers Making a Difference | Issue 17 , December 2023
