This is a short post because of all the gift-wrapping, cookie-baking, and home-cleaning we all need to do. And all that besides trying to keep students on task when there is snow outside to play with and every classroom and their mom has plopped them down in front of the Grinch movie?

So, I only have one recommendation for your classroom at holiday time. Use the time, no matter what short class schedule, hectic all-school celebration, or other drama you have at your school, to do an activity that emphasizes the good things people do at this time of the year. It could be connecting a Trans-Siberian Orchestra winter show video with how music is used to raise funds and awareness of a global issue, as they did for Sarajevo. It could be promoting knowledge of other cultures by playing a game about the different holiday traditions around the world. It could be an Apples-to-Apples type game that matches the gift with the student who plans to give it to their family member (or the fictional gift the student would like to give if you don’t want to be so personal).

The options for sharing stories of kindness are endless! Don’t show Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, not agaaaaiiin…

Happy Holidays! Wishing you the best for a Happy New Year.