tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642638685770090679.post3130180572001716298..comments2022-12-13T10:31:53.160-05:00Comments on #Kinderchat: First Guest Blogger: @Havalah's V-Day DramaKinderchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17659228186865258389noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642638685770090679.post-66851236629367096682011-02-01T00:40:08.592-05:002011-02-01T00:40:08.592-05:00Havalah,
I agree with you 100%. I wish I was ab...Havalah,<br /> <br />I agree with you 100%. I wish I was able to do this at my school. I don't mind teaching about Valentine's Day or making a craft to take home, but I am not a fan of having a big party and passing out the cards. Students tend to forget the message and meaning of the day, they want to focus on what they did or did not get and what candy they can eat.<br />"We spend the year talking about being friendly, kind, loving and gentle." I think that is what is important.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07153237893697498150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642638685770090679.post-7570837235524253362011-01-31T22:10:45.695-05:002011-01-31T22:10:45.695-05:00Havalah, this is such a brilliant example of thoug...Havalah, this is such a brilliant example of thoughtful re-examination of what happens in the classroom. Your perspective on Valentine's Day sums up so many admirable qualities of your character as a teacher. <br /><br />l love how you teach them about being kind and respectful while recognizing the reality that they will not be friends with everyone they meet. What a vital lesson to learn as they make their way in the world.<br /><br />I also admire your recognition of the difficulties some children would have with even getting together 25 valentines and how really devastating that could be for a child - and how stressful for a parent who is struggling already. <br /><br />Teaching "big ideas" to young people, re-thinking even the most engrained traditions, and being aware of the needs and comfort level of *every* child to make sure your classroom is inclusive are extraordinary skills you bring to your children every day. <br /><br />They are lucky children to have you...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09013449635456874212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642638685770090679.post-34058365004001544642011-01-30T23:09:01.616-05:002011-01-30T23:09:01.616-05:00Hooray to you Havalah for having the courage to st...Hooray to you Havalah for having the courage to stick to your guns and do what is best for your kids. Good for you!Joan Young (aka Mancini)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06862764260067132727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642638685770090679.post-53122819939119106392011-01-30T18:18:12.821-05:002011-01-30T18:18:12.821-05:00Havalah,
It is just like you to consider the need...Havalah,<br /><br />It is just like you to consider the needs of all children, and to be inclusive and supportive of all of them:<br /><br />"I teach because I want to help children become thoughtful, kind, responsible and aware of the world around them- the similarities and the differences." <br /><br />Many schools are moving away from doing classroom-based celebrations for the very reasons you mentioned. <br /><br />Keep calm and carry on!<br /><br />Wendy @KidlutionsKidlutions(tm): Solutions for Kidshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639051845440120108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642638685770090679.post-44624438967138244532011-01-30T17:28:34.728-05:002011-01-30T17:28:34.728-05:00Havalah ~
I can appreciate and understand the po...Havalah ~ <br /><br />I can appreciate and understand the position you've taken. I've seen it from both perspectives as an educator. It's good that you clearly stated your reasons in a newsletter to your parents. I teach at a public school that traditionally has celebrated the day (and most holidays) with Valentine cards, carriers, parties, and the like. For the most part, parents at my school in particular tend to go with the flow and have enjoyed the activities that go along with them. We certainly honor and make accommodations for families that, for whatever reason, choose not to celebrate. That is the case on occasion. <br /><br />I think we, as educators have, that freedom and it creates such wonderful diversity in the ways that we learn. I concur, and teach many of those character traits. Coming from Hawaii, a state that is uniquely rich with cultural diversity, I personally enjoy teaching about the various holiday celebrations. While families each celebrate in their own personal ways - there is richness in bringing that, and other things into the learning environment. <br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing!Mr. Fineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17979288884987235841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1642638685770090679.post-73966624711392860442011-01-30T17:01:01.565-05:002011-01-30T17:01:01.565-05:00I love this " I teach because I want to help ...I love this " I teach because I want to help children become thoughtful, kind, responsible and aware of the world around them- the similarities and the differences." <br />I think it's great that you're opting out of Valentine's day exchanges this year. I work in an independent school in CT (for ages 3-8) and we don't have holiday celebrations as a part of our curriculum or included in the calendar. While we value hearing about traditions from home, we feel that how people celebrate is very personal and is best done outside of school. This frees the teachers from trying to include everything and making assumptions about what students celebrate based on external factors. A result is that school as a holiday-free zone has become a refuge for the students, and both parents and teachers appreciate it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13278268041094894567noreply@blogger.com