Holiday Activities for Everyone
There are ways to include all students, even those who don't celebrate holidays, in activities during the holiday season.
By Elisa Jackson
As teachers, we usually think of creative and fun activities to do during the holidays, mostly involving Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. However, once in a while, you will have a student in your class that does not celebrate the holidays, or may celebrate a holiday you don't normally cover in class. It is important to make them feel just as special as the other students. Here are some ideas to make that happen.
The first thing to do is to speak to the student’s parents about holiday activities and ask if their child is able to participate in them, even if it does not involve something they celebrate. Typically, this isn't an issue, but it is always best to check first. You can then alert parents about the different activities you are doing in class.
The second thing is to pay attention to the student's needs. Some students will want to do what everyone else is doing so that they don’t feel different. By giving students the option of participating (provided their parents agree), it will make them feel more comfortable. If their parents don't want them to participate in the class activity, it is important to provide an option that is as enticing as what the rest of the class is doing.
You can also ask parents to help you educate your students about different holidays as a way to make sure everyone is involved. Even if you are not familiar with a holiday yourself, parents can come in and teach the students about how they celebrate. They could read a book about the holiday, teach about the holiday's history, or bring in tangible items for students to see. Parents could also bring in some traditional food that their family eats.
It is important to make sure that you provide activities reflecting a variety of backgrounds and holiday traditions as well. In this way, each student will feel that their heritage and beliefs are respected and valued. It's also a good way for students to get to know their classmates better.
While we all wish that everyone could feel included and special during the holidays, the truth is, not everyone does. So as teachers, it is up to us to make all of our students feel that their holiday matters. Here are some activities to help you do that in your classroom.
Holiday Activities and Lesson Plans:
Students make paper dreidels to celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah.
Students read about the holiday of Kwanzaa and compare it to other holidays.
Students explore the traditional feast of the Islamic people as they celebrate Ramadan.
Students color a picture of one Santa and trace the number one.