Danielle Brown – EDUC 360 – Klamm – October 21, 2015
Session 7 Notes
Holidays
False Assumption
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Fairness means all religions must be given equal time in the classroom.
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Ignoring holidays because some students might feel left out
Correct Assumption
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Fairness sometimes means proportional, not equal. (examples House of Reps & Senate)
Thanksgiving
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Key Questions
o Can you teach about a time when we thank God for blessings, or is it only about
pilgrims, turkey, and gathering with families?
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Look at Thanksgiving in the perspective of the history of our nation.
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Purpose is to thank God for what He’s done recently in our country. (George
Washington)
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Abe Lincoln “ever watchful providence of Almighty God”, 1863
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Thanksgiving is about:
o Thankfulness to God
o Quote Presidential Proclamations
o Teach about Gratitude
o Invite a parent to share about family Thanksgiving traditions
Christmas
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Key Questions:
o Can you teach about the birth of Jesus?
o Can you read the biblical story?
o Can students sing traditional Christmas carols?
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Christmas Carols
o National P.T.A. statement
▪
“sacred music may be sung or played as part of a school’s academic
program”
▪
“present a variety of selections may include religious music”
o Lynch v. Donnelly case
▪
Supreme Court assumes religious carols are being sung in public schools.
However, administration assumes courts would be against it
•
Reading Bible Story
o Approaching it from historical standpoint and non-devotional way
o “This story has had a huge impact on Western civilization, our country, and our
community. Whether you’re of this faith or not, you should understand what it’s
all about.”
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Ask a parent to share family traditions
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Explain a crèche (a model, like nativity scene) as a teaching aide
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Make nativity scenes using various objects, arts and crafts to tell a story
Danielle Brown – EDUC 360 – Klamm – October 21, 2015
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Impact of Jesus
o How did his teaching impact the world?
o What if Jesus had never been born?
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Teach about sayings that come from Jesus
o He’s a Good Samaritan
o Turn the other cheek
o Go the extra mile
o Give him the shirt off your back
o He doesn’t walk on water
o A house divided against itself cannot stand
o Do unto others…the golden rule
Hanukkah
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John 10:22-39 Jesus participating in Hanukkah
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Teach about real story, not just food and dradles
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About God’s people being faithful and throwing out the Syrians and their idols and
rededicated the temple
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God’s faithfulness to his people and theirs to him
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Ask a Jewish parent to share what the holiday means to their family and how they
celebrate it
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You can show and explain the symbolism involved with the holiday. But never let the
symbolism overshadow the impact of the story.
Easter
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Key Questions:
o Can you teach about the death and resurrection of Jesus?
o Can you read the biblical story?
o Can you teach students about the Gospel?
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Teach about holiday academically and objectively, not devotionally
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Explain historical significance
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Explain figurative language that has impacted culture (cultural connections)
Passover
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Exodus 11-12, Angel of Death passed over Hebrew houses during plagues
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Eventually led through the exodus to the parting of the Red Sea
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God saved the Hebrew people from the Egyptians -> Mt. Sinai 10 Commandments
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Impact of 10 Commandments on Western Civilization and moral and civic law
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Supreme Court engravings
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Ask a parent to come in and share
Holidays are opportunities to teach about Judeo-Christian history, thought, and values.
