Teacher’s Tips

What Montana Educators Want You To Know

An Education in Giving

written By Kristin Dantagnan, Irving School 2nd Grade Teacher

Beginning with Halloween and lasting through January, teachers are often overwhelmed with the added pressure to teach through the holidays. There are many conflicting views on just how to incorporate holidays and celebrations into the curriculum in a way that is both an educational opportunity and inclusive of everyone. In addition, as our communities become more culturally and religiously diverse, there are that many more holidays and celebrations throughout the year.

Rather than seeing this as a hindrance, teachers often take advantage of the opportunity to honor such diversity in their classrooms. It is also a wonderful way to make a home-school connection. Learning about students’ families and their celebrated traditions is where many teachers begin. Teachers welcome parents and families into their classrooms to share their traditions with the rest of us. What a wonderful experience for a student who may celebrate an unfamiliar holiday to many, but one that may be very special to a particular child’s family. For example, one Bozeman teacher had a student who brought in his parents to help him teach his classmates about Diwali, a Hindu ‘celebration of lights’ celebrated by families performing traditional activities at home. Students learned about the geography of India, the Hindu religion, tasted traditional Indian sweets, and learned about the history of the Diwali holiday. There was such a sense of pride in the student for his culture and he was delighted to share it with his classmates. It was an authentic learning experience for everyone.

Being authentic and culturally sensitive are essential when teaching about holidays throughout the year. Teachers do their best to bust myths that have muddled the meaning of many celebrated holidays. Teaching your children the true meaning and historical content of what you as a family celebrate is important and can help your children make deeper meaning out of the time spent celebrating a particular holiday. Take the time to remind yourself and your children about the true meaning of Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, or Diwali. Who was St. Nick? Why don’t we have school or work today? Veterans Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Memorial Day are also important holidays that are opportunities to teach tolerance, learn history and honor or appreciate others.

The familiar holidays of fall and winter coming fast and furiously toward us tend to be the most commercialized and can be very stressful and overwhelming for everyone. As teachers, we want our parents to know we teach our students that this is a time of giving. Students of all ages understand there are others that have less than they do and there are others in need. Shifting the focus to what we can do for others rather than what we get in return is something that parents can also help with at home.

Reading books about the value of giving is a great activity to do together with your children. As the light changes and the mercury drops, cuddle up with one of these titles: Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by DyAnne Ryan Di Salvo, Giving by Shirly Hughes, The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere or one of my favorites, One Hen by Katie Smith Milway. After reading one of these books or one of your own favorites decide as a family something you can do to help someone else. Let your children help with this decision. Perhaps they want to help other children, the elderly or the local Humane Society. Perhaps you can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or help deliver meals to the needy. The opportunities to give are endless and the act of kindness is priceless. The lessons your child will learn from such selfless and charitable acts build character and help them develop empathy. Give all year long and be a role model for your children.

Happy Holidays!

Written by Kristin Dantagnan, Irving School 2nd Grade Teacher. If you have specific questions on a particular issue you would like addressed, please let us know. Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it