Session 7 Notes
Holidays
False Assumption
•Fairness means that all religions must get equal time in the classroom.
Correct Assumption
•Fairness sometimes means proportional, not equal.
Thanksgiving
•“Remembrance of the pilgrims and Indian first dinner”
•World series
o1903 Baseball
•First Thanksgiving as a nation
oProclaimed by George Washington
•Thankfulness to God
•Quote Presidential Proclamations
•Teach about gratitude
•Invite a parent to share about family Thanksgiving traditions
Christmas
•Singing Christmas Carols
oHas to be sung or played as a school program with variety of other songs.
•Read the biblical account
oCultural understanding
oNon-devotional
•Ask a parent to share
•Show and explain a crèche
•Teach about the impact of Jesus
oWhy do Christians celebrate his birth?
oHow did his teaching impact the world?
oWhat if Jesus was never born?
•Teach about the sayings of Jesus
oHe’s a good Samaritan
oTurn the other cheek
oGo the extra mile
oGive him the shirt off your back
oHe doesn’t walk on water
Hanukkah
•Feast of dedication
•Read John 10:22-39
•Teach the real story
•Ask a parent to share
•Show and explain symbols
Easter
Passover
•Read the biblical account in Exodus 11-12
•Ask a parent to share
•Show and explain symbols
•Read Luke 22
Remember: Holidays are opportunities to teach about Judeo-Christian history, thought, and values.
