Don’t look now, but it’s almost time to flip your calendar to 2016! That’s right – you’ve almost made it through half a year as a teacher! Congratulations!
As we move toward winter break, keep in mind that, while we may consider this the holiday season, that definition can vary from person to person. Among the celebrations are Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Remember that, while one holiday may be celebrated by the majority of your students, we all need lessons about other cultures, celebrations, and traditions. Be sure to consider the diverse group of students you have in your classroom before saturating your room with decorations or items from one culture.
Use the time to open your students’ worlds to other classmates’ beliefs. Scholastic.com suggests creating travel centers to open their world. Check out their ideas at http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/winter-holidays-celebrating-diversity. Such an awareness can bring a greater respect and appreciation and make our huge world just a little bit smaller…and friendlier.