Companies may have scrimped on workplace perks during the recession, but as the economy has steadily improved, workplace holiday parties have made a comeback, said Mike Baize, manager of HR services at Insperity, a Houston, Texas-based HR services provider. Holidays can be a fun and exciting way to open doors to talking about different cultures and languages. Thats why its interesting, even surprising, that nearly 100 percent of students say they celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, Passover, and Halloween. The Tree . No! The winter holidays are a great opportunity for employees to bond over social events and sugar cookies, but they can also be a source of conflict for HR managers, who must make sure the season doesnt lead to hurt feelings, discomfort or worsea charge of religious discrimination. Develop grassroots efforts advancing early childhood in your community with these tools and resources. Check multiple sources for the most comprehensive view of the history, traditions, and meaning behind the special day. 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). Help them recall that on the night before he died, Jesus gathered with his disciples to celebrate Passover. The purpose is to recall the Exodus story with our students and honor its part in our story of faith. The holidays are a time to celebrate with loved ones. One example would be using it as a time to talk about different beliefs of life, death, and what happens after death. Caution: Eliminate the nuts if there are students with allergies. In honor of St. Paddy's Day, Jimmy weighs the good and bad of joining the festivities.Subscribe NOW to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: http://bit.ly/. 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. Students use inquiry-based learning to gather information about Columbus's impact on the Americas. Election Day could be made a holiday if a bill were passed by the House and Senate then signed into law by the president. So what is a teacher to do? Donate to help NAEYC advance a strong and dynamic early childhood profession and connect educators to cutting-edge resources. We also dance around the Maypole. Holidays can be a fun and exciting way to open doors to talking about different cultures and languages. Many parents and kids alike enjoy the fun and games of including this yearly ritual in their Christmas celebrations. On Holy Thursday we recall that Jesus took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, This is my body that is for you. Expand your toolbox with the tools and techniques needed to fix your organizations unique needs. However, that desert meal, or even the meal that Jesus and his disciples shared, probably bears little resemblance to Seder celebrations of our time. For your convenience, you have permission to make copies of the Classroom Seder Guide to use with your students during your classroom Seder [CLICK HERE]. Find a sponsorship opportunity thats right for you and help support early childhood educators, parents, and other professionals. PROS Your out-of-town guests might benefit from your festivities being planned on a holiday weekend It gives them more time to travel to your venue, and might make it easier for them to accept the invitation. Set an example for students: be inclusive and eager to learn. Even within groups that honor the same holiday, how individual families celebrate will reflect both similarities and differences. Families may find certain holidays stressful due to the amount of commercialization and the media pressure to buy. How Are You Approaching Holidays with Sensitivity in the Classroom? Speaking of uncomfortable, try eating lunch or playing at recess in a costume! Elizabethtown, PA 17022 The Gospels of Matthew (26:17-19), Mark (14:12-16), and Luke (22:7-13) all report that after arriving in Jerusalem on the day Christians now celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lords Passion, Jesus instructed the disciples to make preparations for the Passover meal they would share together. When elementary-age children have holidays and parents do not, parents can be left scrambling for day care options. Field trips to a neighborhood market or library firm up real life applications of classroom learning. On the one hand, they help teachers save valuable class time while boosting student engagement. Fill each cup with grape juice. Access accreditation data on early learning and higher education program characteristics and quality for research purposes. 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. Another point to consider when exploring the effects that Christmas can have is the distraction that the celebrations have on the set academic activities. They can also be used to mark the passing of the year with an annual end-of-year picnic or potluck dinner. Julie Olsen Edwards,coauthor of Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves, was on the faculty of Cabrillo Colleges early childhood education department for 45 years. The pros of using technology in the classroom are dependent on how well teachers and faculty acclimate themselves to said technology. A student teacher, enjoying her cupcake, gives Esther a piece because she feels sorry about depriving Esther. celebrating cultural diversity in your classroom! Read about NAEYC's DAP framework for high quality education. Student Journaling as a Tool for Teaching English Language Learners. Consider these disadvantages of homeschooling. Some of the reasons have to do with cultural sensitivity. At least 32 people were killed and 85 injured in northern Greece when a passenger train collided head-on with a high-speed freight train late Tuesday night, just before midnight. Christmas = Snow And snow means being cold, which is only cool when you're snuggling under soft blankets with a hot drink. A lifetime activist for children and families, she continues to write, teach, and consult on issues of equity, diversity, and anti-bias. You may think that celebrating holidays in the classroom solely comes in the form of reading a story or doing a craft. There are no exceptions to this rule. Focus on the awareness of religions rather than acceptance of any one religion. The next day a birthday celebration for another child includes cupcakes from the birthday childs family. Explore jobs in theCareer Center and findhigher education and professional development opportunities. However, this can be a huge advantage if you are on a tight moving budget. Expect sweaty upper lips, hot and bothered groomsmen and guests fanning themselves in wedding photos. Many parents do not have the same time off as their children, causing added expense with babysitting or daycare. There are countless Christian Seders available online if you choose to go that route. You may be surprised at the number of teachers or administrators who can give you a firsthand account of the holiday in question. --Putting people of different religions on the party-planning committee. Louise Derman-Sparks Julie Olsen Edwards. Spending all day in a classroom actively learning is tiring, and there is a limited amount that students can learn. Homepage illustrations 2009 by Rafael Lpez originally appeared in "Book Fiesta" by Pat Mora and used with permission from HarperCollins. She complains to the head teacher that both her and her daughters feelings were hurt. Others still give off just Christmas but have floating holidays which employees can use for other religious holidays, said Hope B. Eastman, principal with Paley Rothman in Bethesda, Md., and co-chair of the firms employment law group.Office dcor. Not having to take extra time off work could also make some guests available who might otherwise not be able to come. 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. Learn how SHRM Certification can accelerate your career growth by earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. 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. Celebration of Christmas is a staple in preschools and elementary education settings. 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. However, during the present-day global era, the role of traditions in schools has become an increasingly complex issue. Inform students about various beliefs, rather than conform students to any particular belief. For example, when talking about Christmas, focus on giving and kindness rather than Santa or the religious implications of the special day. With generous support provided by the National Education Association. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Rich Barlow. Pros of Celebrating Holidays: Only shows limited view of a culture. These overarching themes and lessons will appear in holidays across the board, which can help bring greater meaning to your lessons. This does not mean that you must teach about every holiday your families practice. Catherine Goins, who worked with Louise and Julie on the second edition, and Julie Bissons book Celebrate! 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. Step #1: Save My Cart However, they may be ridiculed for not believing, as it is not a social norm. Support our mission and reach the NAEYC audience through your advertisement, conference exhibit booth, or sponsorship. More school time could increase student learning. The three sections of the guide discuss rethinking the holidays, planning for change in teaching approaches, and aspects to consider when using holidays in the classroom. They also can build schoolfamily connections and community within a program. 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. Focus is on meaningful ways to celebrate holidays without spending money. See Review the Story of Exodus at the end of this article for an activity that will help you and your students review the story of the Exodus in preparation for your classroom Seder meal. Giving students sugary foods when we are teaching them to eat healthy. If you plan on doing something simple, you need to give more thought than signing your name on a card. 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 Honoring the cultural diversity among the families you serve means recognizing that all have the right to their traditions and that the ECE program does not favor one category of families over another. How do teachers approach such issues as textbook content, values education, controversial issues, and religious holidays? And dont schedule the event at a time (such as Friday night) that might conflict with someones religious observances. 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. Cons of visiting Vietnam at Tet Festival. Teacher materials produced for February's celebration of black history are often limited to the most-celebrated black Americans Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks. I avoid sacred topics but honor the stories, characters, and rituals of holidays as symbols of positive values. Our Jewish ancestors in faith celebrate Passover to recall their redemption from slavery in Egypt. Jot those experiences down and suddenly you have all . Video can help in explaining difficult subject matters. Excessive screen time It can often seem that students are constantly in front of a device cell phones, tablets, computers, and gaming devices are prevalent in their lives. Even some Christian families see these as pagan appropriations that trivialize one of their two most important holy days of the year. Taking the time to thoughtfully discuss how to make respectful learning about holidays a part of your curriculum is worth the results when all children and families feel that they are cared about and belong in your program. You will see things that spark your curiosity, make you wonder, and amaze you all at once. It's important to know what your purpose is in bringing up religion most often, teachers intend to foster tolerance for other beliefs and faiths, and one of the best ways for teachers to do this is to plan ahead and to consult with informed sources, colleagues, parents, and the community. Combat this with plenty of water, hand-held fans and shaded ceremonies. Yet, most early childhood education programs now serve a wide range of families, many of which have configurations that differ from the one mother and one father family structure. 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 . Many educators have fought to continue celebrating holidays in the classroom because they see firsthand the value these lessons bring to their students. 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. Please log in as a SHRM member. Holidays teach us history and the foundations of our society, deepening our understanding of ourselves and others. Text 1: A magazine article about the pros and cons of celebrating Valentine's Day in general. 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. Some schools also have graduation ceremonies or Youre Off to Kindergarten parties for children transitioning out of the programs. Celebrate young children and their families with hands-on activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, food, and art. As the statement below, which was provided to Yahoo Lifestyle, explained, Halloween festivities may alienate and exclude students and staffers who may not celebrate for various personal or. It is no coincidence, I tell students, that holidays like Easter and Passover, representing life and freedom, happen around the same time as more ancient springtime holidays.. Growing in popularity are American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month and Asian Pacific Heritage Month. $(document).ready(function () { While Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere is a beautiful winter wonderland event, Christmas in Australia is usually upwards of 30 degrees celsius. Halloween is fun, but it can be stressful. She also tells Edward that the child was puzzled by his not eating the special lunch. Preparations * Cover a large table with a cloth. 1. 2. You serve as Leader. For example, four cups of wine are ordinarily consumed during a Seder; in this version, students will sip from a cup of juice twice. When Henry Ford gave his workers a five-day week in 1926, having Saturdays off was seen as a revolutionary shift to the typical workweek. Overall, many educators find the advantages of flipped classrooms outweigh the drawbacks. 5 cons of having technology in the classroom Photo credit : Markus Spiske 1. For the many families of other faiths, the activities are inseparable from the underlying meaning of the religious rituals themselves (after all, a Christmas tree is still a Christmas tree, and the Easter bunny is the Easter bunny). 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. days; or occasions for Recognizing Family and Neighborhood Heroes.. Dec. 16, 2015. School work, especially in junior high and high school, becomes a child's job. 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. A charity committee, called #BeNiceAndSocial, organizes ways for employees to give back each holiday season. 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. On the other hand, they can increase prep time for teachers and can present challenges to students. 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. Enhance your career and improve your knowledge, skills, and practices with our in-person and online training. Engage with our policy agendas, advocacy resources, and current initiatives. According to Gallup, employee recognition can boost productivity by 14 percent, increase profit by 18 percent, and grow customer satisfaction by 10 percent. The Good (Pros) Celebrating holidays can bring students together and help create a sense of community in the classroom. Now the United Kingdom has launched the largest test of its kind to see if five days is too long . Some of the most prominent are African-American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women's History Month. Stay current on all things related to your professional association, from book releases to policy updates. Along with these we also observe and recognize Martin Luther King Day, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Kwanzaa, Labor Day, the Jewish holidays, and many others. Check out some of these ideas for inspiration: Activities like these will help you balance fun and games with educational content to make your lessons both impactful and memorable. The focus for students moves away from school and onto family and culture. Many holidays include the motif of light, which you can use to begin to discuss what they have in common: Teachers sometimes focus on the winter holidays just to provide cover for discussing Christmas. Just because kids have time off from school doesn't mean parents do. When Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist, we acknowledge that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away our sins. Hold multicultural celebrations - Recognizing the diverse beliefs of children in a given classroom should extend beyond the month of December. Browse pros and cons of halloween resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources. Yet, conflicting celebrations may also have common ground. Anti-Bias Education: The December Holidays from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The United States officially codified the five-day week for all workers in 1932. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate, as long as you work to foster an inclusive and accepting classroom environment. 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