Need help from Jewish or Muslim teachers

[lola]

Hi,
I teach in a country where the majority of people are Muslim. In our school, most kids or families claim they are non-practising Christians or Muslims, a few are really praticing Christians and we have some Jewish kids. Half of the kids have a 'New Year tree' at home. Every year, I have the same problem: most teachers do a lot of Christmas activities, whether they believe or not. They claim Christmas is part of our culture, has not much to do with religion. I don't like that idea because I think it's demeaning for real believers. On the other hand, I don't have time and qualification to teach all religions or religious practice. And we got a note stating that teachers shouldn't express their own beliefs ( I'm an atheist). So... I'm lost.
If you're a Jewish teacher or a Muslim or from any other-than-Christian faith, how do you deal with that issue?
I'd really like your opinions on this

 

[SoCalTeach]

I'm Jewish...

I teach in a non-religious private school. We have a few Muslim students, a few Jewish ones, and the rest are Christian. I had a Muslim student last year who brought treats in during one of their special holy days, and she read a bit about the holiday to the class. I also asked if she had any arts and crafts ideas or pictures we could color for their winter holiday. Unfortunately, she didn't. When we do holiday poems, I ask who celebrates what so I can give a red paper stocking to those who are doing Christian poems, a blue dreidel to those who are doing Hanukkah ones, and I let them do both if they celebrate both holidays at home. No student has ever really delved into serious questions about other students' holidays, excet when one asked what Hanukkah was for. I just replied that Jews celebrate a miracle that happened. Which is basically what Christians do for Christmas, true? I would ask all the children in your class if they have anything special from home that reminds them of their holiday, whithout going into toe religious meanings too much. Hope that helps!

 

[K/1 Teacher]

Holidays

I always just avoid celebrating the holidays all together. We do winter activities, but stay away from anything related to Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. This has nothing to do with the fact that I'm Jewish....it's because I teach at a public school. And religion should stay out of the public schools. Every school I've worked at has also had a strong view of not celebrating religious holidays at school, even if it's just cultural and not religious.

 

[dee]

Seasonal

I am Christian and celebrate, most of my kids also celebrate. However, I feel very strongly about the separation of church and state and that religion should be a family thing/personal thing.

We celebrate the change of fall to winter, the changing weather, etc. There are so many activities about snow, both meterological and plain old crafty. THe kids loved it last year when I taught 1st, and a few parents appreciated the "less hype" approach.

 

[lola]

Holiday celebration

Thanks for your input...
I always tried to steer away from religious issues and stick to winter etc... But it's tough when everyone else in school is talking about Christmas! And since I'm a ressource teacher, I have to pretty much stick to what the other teachers are doing. But I'll keep on talking about winter, until I can find the time to prepare a good unit on various celebrations. For older kids it's ok but that will take some thinking to find something pre-K students can relate to. Well, that's another challenge!
Thanks again

 

[teach4ever]

I think schools should celebrate the traditions that have been carried on since this country was founded. It is part of our culture and is what has made us the country we are. No shame in that.