The holiday season is a special time of the year that brings joy, celebration, and reflection. Schools are often at the forefront of these celebrations and activities for students, allowing them to participate in fun activities and learn about different cultures and traditions.
I know this can be a controversial topic – many people would insist that holidays have no place in the classroom, but hear me out for a moment. As we learned (and educators already knew) from the pandemic, schools play a critical role in a student’s life. They are a place of learning, socializing, and even celebrating. Celebrating the holiday season in schools has so many advantages – it allows students to connect with one another, explore different cultural traditions, and build an inclusive environment.
Benefits of Celebrating the Holiday Season in Schools
Celebrating the holiday season in schools offers many benefits for students. Not only does it give them an opportunity to engage in fun activities and connect with their peers, but it also helps teach children about different cultural traditions. It encourages respect amongst classmates and fosters a sense of understanding between those of different backgrounds. Additionally, celebrating the holidays together helps to create a sense of community, connecting students to their local communities during the holiday season. All of these benefits help to create an inclusive and safe learning environment for all students.
I work in a district where many students don’t look forward to winter break. Winter break is not a time of celebrations but a time of uncertainty. Some students don’t have access to the holiday traditions their classmates enjoy and may feel isolated during the break. By celebrating the holiday season in our classroom, we can create an atmosphere of inclusion where everyone feels welcomed and celebrated regardless of their background. My opinion about including holidays in the classroom changed when I realized that if I didn’t provide an opportunity for a holiday celebration, some of my students would never get to participate in the traditions and customs of their own culture.
Create Engaging and Fun Holiday Activities
So, what can you do to make the holiday season a memorable experience for your students and continue to focus on academics? Here’s a list of a few ways to add a little fun without taking away your limited instruction time:
- Ugly Sweater Contest – This is a super fun activity that can easily be added to any class. Simply print off a blank copy of a sweater and allow students to decorate it. Once you collect them, have the students vote for the one they like best. I have one winner for each class, then an overall winner for all my classes. I choose to give prizes and pick up items from my local Dollar Tree. It’s cheap, easy and students love this activity!
- Snowball Fight – Need to review for a test? Have students write out review questions for the topic you want to review, then crumple them up like snowballs. On your signal, students throw the “snowballs” at each other. When you call time, students must grab a “snowball” pair up with a classmate, and answer the questions from the “snowballs.”
- Short Stories – Reading a short story is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Have students read, discuss or review skills using a holiday themed story.
- Acknowledge Traditions – Learning about holiday traditions is a great way to recognize and celebrate the holiday season. Give students an opportunity to learn about the traditions of their classmates or those in their community. This helps students foster a sense of understanding and appreciation for different cultures.
Encouraging Inclusivity and Respect
In addition to adding fun activities to your classroom, it’s important to demonstrate respect and inclusivity during the holiday season. It’s essential that students understand that all cultures are equally valued, so encourage tolerance and understanding when introducing different holidays in the classroom. Make sure to emphasize respectful behavior as well as acknowledge religious and cultural differences without prejudice.
By guiding our students to be respectful of the differences in their classroom, we can create a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students that goes beyond December. Celebrating the holidays together is an excellent way to build community within a class or school. With careful consideration given to cultural and religious beliefs, holiday celebrations offer an opportunity for all students to learn, explore and appreciate the diversity in their classroom.
Click here to read more about how to respectfully and responsibly add holidays to your classroom or listen to the podcast episode.
Overall, celebrating the holiday season in schools is an important way that teachers can foster connection and understanding among their students. With thoughtful planning and consideration of cultural beliefs, we can create enjoyable holiday activities that not only bring us together but also allow us to learn about each other in a safe and inclusive environment. By providing an opportunity for our students to explore their own traditions and appreciate those of their peers, we can create meaningful experiences that will have a lasting impact on our students and our community. So, don’t be afraid to celebrate the holidays with your students!
Additional resources from the ELA Matters team:
ELA Winter Holiday Ideas for Middle School by Straight Outta Class
Holiday Short Stories for Middle School by Creative Classroom Core
Making Inferences Skill Introduction & Practice with Short Story “The Fir Tree” by SmithTeacher9to12
