"No one can be free unless he is independent."

~Dr. Maria Montessori

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16th

Parent Literacy Workshop, for families of K-3 students

How to Help Children Get the Most from Classroom Celebrations

"Our greater culture focuses deeply on special occasions; often the marketplace inappropriately targets children. Commercial holidays are promoted several months in advance. Children are overwhelmed with mostly unavoidable input during these heightened times. Our communities are saturated. At such times, commercial holidays can become emotionally charged for the whole community.

So how does a thoughtful teacher create a celebration that equally focuses on the children, respects cultural and community concerns, and maintains a normal classroom routine all at the same time?

Thinking in terms of celebrating occasions instead can help reduce the political, cultural, and gift-giving pressures associated with commercial holidays. "Occasions" are simple markers of time -- they can offer an inspiring interdisciplinary experience and opportunity for study in our classrooms. Simple, non-disruptive celebrations can illuminate history for our children, as well as the calendar, seasons, rituals, science, and community time."