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18 November 2004: Bah Humbug (3 of 4)
The second reason I don't teach or celebrate holidays with my students is because it is a waste of time. As I have said, the schools are burning (see 26 Oct 2004), and I do not feel that it is a good use of instructional time to weave paper placemats or create valentine receptacles.
Don't misunderstand me. I'm not a drill-and-kill, more worksheets kind of teacher. I am, however, dedicated to the success of my students and I do not believe that the holiday celebrations that are typical in our schools will offer long-term learning benefits to my students.
In the same vein, I do not believe that there is no place in schools for fun. I place a very high value on fun, joking, and even good-natured mischeviousness in my classroom. I think any teacher who argues that holidays are the only source of fun in an elementary school classroom should retire immediately.
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