Holidays Around the World

Written by: Trent Lorcher • Edited by: SForsyth
Updated Dec 17, 2009 • Related Guides: Hanukkah | Christmas | Christmas Tree

Inclusion is more than just a word to impress your politically correct boss. It's a good idea for making all your students feel love and appreciated.

Holiday Activities Motivation

Don't let what happened to me happen to you. Learn about holidays around the world--Hanukkah, Kwanza, Ramadan, Winter Solstice, Bodhi Day, Festivus, and Christmas before they get you. At the very least have a holiday activities lesson plan ready that teaches students about holidays around the world--Hanukkah, Kwanza, Ramadan, Winter Solstice, Bodhi Day, Festivus, Christmas.

Here's my story:

The politically correct police (PLP) were out in full force and were searching for me. I had made inappropriate remarks to several students within earshot of parents, teachers, and administrators.

They arrested me at noon.

The interrogation began several hours later, preceded by torture, duct tape, and really bright flashlights:

PLP: Why did you say those things to students?

Me: What are you talking about?

PLP: (flashlight crashes against skull) You know what I'm talking about.

Me: (desperate) Are you referring to the 13 students I killed last fall, the thousands of dollars I embezzled from the chess club, or the blackmailing of the principal with compromising photos?

PLP: Don't play dumb with me. Your crime is far more serious. You wished people a "Merry Christmas" on several occasions last week. Our memo clearly states you are only allowed to say "Happy Holidays." I'll give you three days to remedy the situation or else.

Here's what I came up with:

Holidays Around the World Presentations

In groups of 2-4, students research a holiday from around the world. My list included Hanukkah, Kwanza, Ramadan, Winter Solstice, Bodhi Day, Festivus, Christmas-secular, and Christmas-religious (This appeased the extremists who threatened to bludgeon me with a Christmas tree if I got too politically correct (When I say extremist, I'm referring to those who bludgeon others with Christmas trees, not those who celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, so please don't metaphorically bludgeon me with a Christmas tree in the comments section below).

Each group makes a poster board, at least 18 x 24 with the name of the holiday and pictures of related celebrations or holiday symbols.
Each group types a one-page explanation of the holiday including religious affiliation, national affiliation, holiday origin, how the holiday is celebrated, famous people who celebrate it, and any other pertinent information.
Each group decorates a section of the room or wears holiday apparel.
Each group brings in a holiday recipe, Groups earn extra credit for bringing in holiday food.
Each group presents the poster to the class and explains the holiday to interested onlookers.
Politically correct administrators examine the posters all week and defend you against spies who claim you repeatedly say, "Merry Christmas!"

Students enjoyed these holiday activities presentations and nobody switched religions, so tell the televangelists to quit e-mailing me.

Trent Lorcher Dec 9, 2010 4:59 PM

S. Honrath

Thanks for your input. My classroom is a ball around the holidays. My students get to read and write and learn new vocabulary.

S. Honrath Dec 9, 2010 1:21 PM

ELA

Thank you for your candid post! I highly agree, the pcp have gone out of control. I embrace and encourage the customs of all religions represented in my classroom even though I am a Catholic myself. I celebrate the values we share and the experiences we have together. Did you know, by the way, that you can order a sticker from Bill O'Reilly's web page that says "We say Merry Christmas"? Can't wait to see who keys my car for that one! lol!

Trent Lorcher Dec 14, 2009 11:17 AM

How dare you?

If you truly thought I was poking fun of those who celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, as you and I do, and as the holiday was intended then I commend you for speaking up and standing for something. Too many people do not.

However, I did not call Christmas religious right wing extremist. I called people who bludgeon others with Christmas trees as right wing extremists. I think it's a fair assessment. After all, if you bludgeon people with Christmas trees or drive planes into a skyscraper over religion, you're probably an extremist.

If you read the opening, you would understand I was making fun of the politically correct left wing fanatics who pretend we get two weeks off for "Winter Break" even though we all know the break is for Christmas.

I too celebrate Christmas and I make Christ the centerpiece of that celebration. I do not, however, bludgeon those who do not with Christmas trees. I appreciate your zeal for the gospel, but perhaps you should practice a little Christian charity before you blast me publicly.

The last thing I want to do is paint Christians (or those of any religion) in a negative fashion. I will, therefore, clarify the "controversial (but funny)" comment.

God Bless and Merry Christmas.

http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/29069.aspx

Cindy Dec 13, 2009 4:30 PM

Why must you call Christmas-religious "right wing extremists"? There would be no Christmas if it wasn't for CHRIST. It is HIS holiday. Non-DChristians want the holiday and the presents, but want to pretend it isn't a Christian holiday. I am a Christian and I celebrate Christmas. That doesn't make me "right-wing" or an "extremist." Are you calling Jews who celebrate their religious holiday or Muslims who celebrate their religious holiday "extremists" for doing so? If it's not YOUR religion, it's not YOUR holiday, and you should just ignore it instead of put down those whose religion it is. There are extremists in every religion, culture, and political faction. That doesn't mean you paint EVERYONE with the same brush just as I will try not to assume that everyone who is not a Christian has your ugly attitude about Christmas's true meaning.

You use the word "INCLUSION," but you're including everyone except Christians whose holiday it's all about. If you want to be fair, you would show the same respect for Christians you do for all other religions. It's not an ABC holiday (Anything But Christianity). It's a C holiday - CHRISTmas.

Holidays Around the World

Holiday Activities Motivation

Holidays Around the World Presentations

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