Holidays
Learn more about how and what schools teach about religious and cultural holidays
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
Happy Halloween! Be Playful and Artistic in School on Holidays
Dressing up and playing (often challenging) "scary" music is good curricular and instructional practice. It encourages young adolescents to be kids again in an increasingly frightening adult world—playful and artistic, sharing their burgeoning talents with their community.
Teaching
Opinion
Liberate the Turkey and Homework on Holiday Weekends
No matter what you are working on in school right now, don't ask students to stress about it during a holiday weekend.
Curriculum
Opinion
Memorial Day
Instead of providing the programs that students find most compelling, we're on a path to strip public education clean of richness, culture and (yes, I'm going to say it) fun. Over 125 people participated in our local Memorial Day service today-- and virtually all of them learned the essential skills of making music, public speaking and patriotic customs in a public school someplace. They still use these capacities to make their lives more enjoyable and meaningful, to take a day away from work, to think about honoring those who died to preserve democracy.
Teaching
Opinion
Kindergartners Think in Beautiful Drawings About Dr. Martin Luther King
Kindergartner, dreaming of a better world: "I would have everyone go to the same school." Now there's a dream--what if everyone went to the same school, where there were plenty of art supplies and a teacher who nurtured drawing skills as well as conversations about the people who changed the country where these children live?
Education
Opinion
Holiday Placemats for Social Justice
Do my liberal friends understand why things like Harvard's "holiday placemats for social justice" drive some of us around the bend? It's honestly tough for me to tell.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Teaching the Holidays: The December Dilemma
For educators, the convergence of so many holidays can create the "December dilemma." This post shares strategies and resources to help.
Teaching
Opinion
Four Tips for Teachers on Holiday Performances
School leaders can serve as models of inclusive and respectful citizenship—a more admirable goal than majority domination.
Teaching
Don't Be the Teacher Who Screws Up Halloween
It's almost Halloween. This is a moment that everyone can enjoy. It's also a week where you often see the tangible outcome of poor judgment.
Curriculum
Teaching Independence Day
It's Independence Day. I've compiled a list of lessons to download and take to your picnic.
School & District Management
Opinion
The Contrarian's Guide to Holiday Conversation
The holiday season is upon us. Are you ready to discuss contentious educational issues with your friends and family?
Social Studies
Opinion
Using Letters to Teach the Holidays (and History)
Teaching holidays can be an interruption from regular instruction, or they can be an opportunity for rich, common- core aligned discussions. Now that's something worth celebrating!
Equity & Diversity
In Classrooms, Halloween Costumes Can Raise Sensitive Issues
Halloween can be fun, but some costumes can be offensive. Fortunately, teachers can encourage students to make smart costume choices.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Seasons, Holidays, and Children
As our society has become more diverse, in color, country of origin, and religion, we should consider the messages that our students are receiving even outside of our schools.As we develop school environments that accept and protect all children from bullying, marginalization, exclusion, or simply being ignored, should we be watching how their larger world is behaving?
Education
Opinion
Teach Students: Dr. King Day is NOT a Black Holiday!
Students of all races and ethnicities must learn about the Civil Rights Movement, and teachers must help them understand that it didn't just benefit black people.