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Isn’t the Christmas tree a Christian symbol?

Case 19 By: Danielle & Marianne. Isn’t the Christmas tree a Christian symbol?. Introduction. Address the appropriateness of placing a Christmas tree in the classroom Was explanation of intent adequate Factors that affect a teacher’s decision to display religious symbols

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Isn’t the Christmas tree a Christian symbol?

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  1. Case 19 By: Danielle & Marianne Isn’t the Christmas tree a Christian symbol?

  2. Introduction • Address the appropriateness of placing a Christmas tree in the classroom • Was explanation of intent adequate • Factors that affect a teacher’s decision to display religious symbols • Comment on student/teacher relationship • Ideas to extend knowledge beyond classroom • Answering Yen’s question • List school practices allowed and not allowed by law

  3. Question 1 • Should Ms. Halverson put a Christmas tree in her classroom? • Yes, it is her call • She is trying to incorporate all the “holidays” in her class • “Probably okay because the Christmas tree is not considered by the courts to be a religious symbol” (ACLU student rights handbook)

  4. Question 2 • Was Ms. Halverson’s explanation of intent adequate? What would make it more adequate? • She explained that the tree was meant as a “holiday” symbol; not just Christian • Go into the history of the symbol of the Christmas tree • Possibly consider studying other traditional symbols

  5. Question 3 • Factors that should affect a teacher’s decision to display religious symbols • Is the display allowed in the school • Students/parents that may practice another religion or no religion

  6. Question 4 • Relationship between Ms. Halverson and Yen • What did Ms. Halverson say or do that tend to affect her relationship with Yen? • Antagonistic- he left before he received an answer • Felt embarrassed because the teacher had an appropriate answer to his question

  7. Question 5 • What could Ms. Halverson and her students do to extend their new knowledge beyond their own classroom? • Research what is allowed by law to be displayed • Create a simply worded policy to display in class and throughout the school

  8. Question 6 • Answering Yen’s final question • Tell Yen the truth • Do not elaborate on details

  9. Extended thinking • List of school practices with regard to religion • There was no definitive answer, the word “probably” was used in answer

  10. Extended thinking • Allowed by law • Mostly secular display that includes some religious stuff • Overall message is one of cultural diversity • Not allowed by law • Display promotes any religion • Overall message is religious

  11. Conclusion • It is okay to incorporate “holiday” symbols into classroom with caution • Explanation of intent should be made before display is put up • School practices should be made known to staff, parents and students at beginning of year • Be honest with students without promoting own beliefs

  12. Work Cited • ACLU student rights handbook http://scf.angellearning.com/section/default.asp?id=201320%2D21047

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