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 Tolerance and esteem for all cultures is the focus
of our Cultural Diversity Program. One defining aspect of
our different Cultures is how we celebrate our Holidays.
EACH DECEMBER, In addition to our focusing on America's
diversity, we celebrate our various cultural Holiday Observances
as well. We will be highlighting the following holidays:
Christmas: The Christian Celebration of the birth
of Jesus
Hanukah: The Jewish Festival of Freedom and Deliverance
Kwanzaa: The African-American Celebration of Unity
and Self-Determination
Rahmadan: The Islamic Observance of Devotion to
God
Happy New Year: The New Years Celebrations in Vietnam,
Korea Japan, & China
We use Costumes, musical instruments, storytelling, and
a large screen video to familiarize the students with the
wonderful significance of these holidays; This program is
suitable for grades K-8.
SEQUENCE OF THE HOLIDAY SHOW
Putting on clothing worn by my Ukrainian grandparents,
I describe how they celebrated their Jewish holiday Hanukah
even though this Holiday was forbidden by law.
By putting three student volunteers in native costumes,
I demonstrate how Christmas is celebrated in Sweden, Germany,
and Mexico.
Based on the 0. Henry story "Gift of the Magi," I tell
a story of sacrifice and friendship made by two Irish schoolgirls
during the Christmas Holiday season. The holiday of Kwanzaa
is presented through a demonstration of the artifacts and
principles on which this holiday is based, in addition to
a student-volunteer demonstration of African musical instruments.
A 5 minute large screen video is screened, including information
on Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, as well as Rahmadan and
the Asian New Year celebrations. For grades K-3, I use audience
volunteers to tell a story about a young boy who must "learn
the meaning" of these December Holidays or risk losing all
his Holiday gifts We use puppets, costumes, & music.
REFERENCES
Scott McDonald, Principal, Pine Acres Elementry (K-5),
Wenonah, NJ 856-464-1260
Theresa Benjamin, Teacher, JT Lambert Middle (6-8) Strousberg,
PA 570-424-8430
Julie Andreolo, Principal, Oakview Elementry (K-5), Bloomfield,
NJ 973-680-8590
Last December, we presented this program at 31 schools.
See
more references or contact
us.
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