Equity And Diversity News Letter
Elementary Edition December 2021
It’s The Most Wonderfully Diverse Time Of The Year!
The song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year,” by Andy Williams, says:
“It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you to be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year”
And I agree—it is a wonderful time of the year with many diverse holidays available to explore. I can hardly wait to share with some of our wonderful Springfield Public School students the diversity of the holiday seasons with “Reading with Ms. Gwen.” It is always delightful to hear the students share their own family traditions and beliefs. The holiday season is a great time to expose your class to the exploration of other cultural traditions and beliefs. As you share the cultural traditions of others, it will expand your student’s worldview and help them create understanding across cultures. It will also help your child to develop empathy and understanding for other people and their ideas.
Teaching your students about the holidays of other cultures helps them to see that no matter what differences we all have, we also have many things in common, such as family, respect, and love. Most holiday celebrations are a time when families come together and celebrate with wonderful food, traditions, and the joy of spending time with each other. Most cultures take time during their celebrations to honor and respect their ancestors and all that they sacrificed for the family. Last but not least, after the food, fun, and activities, is love. It is important to let your students know that love, and respect for others is the key to the unity we seek in the world regardless of our cultural differences.
What's In Your Tool Box?
Yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year and the most wonderful time to celebrate diversity. Here are a few holidays and ideas for sharing this culturally diverse season with your class:
- Hanukkah Also known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, the holiday celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean revolt against the Syrian-Greek army. Based on the lunar calendar, the holiday takes place for eight nights and days, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple.
- Christmas Celebrated all around the world by Christians, Christmas occurs on December 25 each year and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Millions of Christians around the world celebrate the holy birth by gathering with friends and family to engage in traditions like exchanging gifts, decorating a Christmas tree, singing, and praying.
- Kwanzaa Is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu. The seven candles (Mishumaa Saba) represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. The gifts (Zawadi) symbolize the parents' love and their commitment to their children.
- Three Kings Day At the end of the twelve days of Christmas comes Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day when the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. In Spain, this is the day when many children get gifts. In Puerto Rico, children leave a box under their bed on January 5 so the kings will leave them presents. And in France, the “king's cake” is baked, where bakers hide tiny coins, toys, or jewels inside.
- Chinese New Year is the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. It is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It begins Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
How can you teach your students about different holidays? Kendra Moyses of Michigan State University Extention suggests that you must learn about the holidays yourself! Take some time to do a little research on some of the different holidays then ask yourself these three questions:
1. Why is this holiday celebrated?
2. What is the historical origin of the holiday?
3. What are the religious values, commercial or economic interests?
Additionally, Moyses adds, you can:
- Explore different cultures year-round. Holidays are one part of exploring other cultures, think about how your students could be culturally enriched without leaving the United States.
- Read children’s books about different holidays. Check out your school library for activities and books available.
- Explore foods from different cultures that are used to celebrate during the holidays. Not sure where to start? Check out a few multicultural cookbooks or look for recipes on the internet. Talk about why specific foods are important and part of a holiday tradition.
- Share information about local holiday festivals.
Most of all, continue to consider that diversity makes this season bright.
Library Corner
Seven Spools Of Thread A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis and Daniel Minter Illustrator
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
From Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama.
How lucky am I?"
Holiday time at Sadie's house means golden gelt sparkling under the Christmas tree, candy canes hanging on eight menorah branches, voices uniting to sing carols about Macabees and the manger, and latkes on the mantel awaiting Santa's arrival.
Selina Alko gives this joyous account of how many blended American families celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah in this beautifully illustrated story of diversity.
Did you know?
- Chanukah is spelled in different ways because it is a Hebrew word. Hebrew uses a different writing system/alphabet with different consonant sounds and no vowels. Each spelling is trying to best estimate the Hebrew sounds into English. In Hebrew, the word is written חֲנֻכָּה or חֲנוּכָּה (Ḥănukā). It is most commonly transliterated to English as Hanukkah or Chanukah.
- Dreidel is a spinning top game played at Chanukah where players can win coins or chocolate. The four sides of the dreidel have the first letters of the Hebrew saying “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham”, which means “A great miracle happened there”. Dreidels in Israel might use the letter Peh instead of Shin, to stand for “A great miracle happened HERE”.
Reading With Ms. Gwen At Weller Elementary
Don't Forget!
As wonderful as the holiday season is for most, there are those who do not feel that same joy. Let’s strive to be mindful of all of our students and their beliefs, allowing all children and families to feel that they are cared about, respected, and belong in our school program.