This last week my Principal wants us to participate in dress up days, Monday is Christmas sweater, Tuesday is Christmas socks, Wednesday is Christmas jewelry, Thursday is red and green day, and Friday is dress like an elf. Seeing as I am not Christian, I have nothing to wear that follows any theme, I don't even have anything red or green. I am struggling with what I will tell my students when they ask why I'm not dressed up like all the other teachers. I teach at a public elementary school by the way. I have zero money to spend but maybe you have some ideas? As a first year teacher, this stuff is new to me.
Are you looking for ideas to dress up as something random, or something winter-themed, or something else? I'm not sure what alternative you're looking for.
Well I'd like advice about how to handle students asking me why I'm the only person not wearing Christmas stuff. Or alternative things I could wear...
Do you observe any Holidays during Winter? If not, you could wear clothing with general winter themed things, like snowmen, snowflakes, etc. And you don't have any red or green articles of clothing?
The only day I could participate in would be red/green day, and only because our school color is red...I hate the way red looks on me and never buy it. Who has elf clothes? I would tell the students you don't have any Christmas sweaters (or whatever the day is).
Maybe you could just tell them you didn't have the right clothes and weren't able to buy them? I don't think they will get too curious, but if they do maybe just try to change the subject back to whatever you are teaching them that day.
They asked why I was the only teacher who didn't wear a Halloween costume on Halloween. I just didn't have the time or money to make one this year.
This is a horrible idea to do in a public school. Talk about excluding people! I would just tell the kids you aren't Christian so you didn't have anything to wear. They won't care
I really hope so. One time a 1st grader shared that his dad didn't believe in god and the class pounced on him and he started to cry. It was a great opportunity to teach respect.
That IS a little insensitive of your school. I'm not Christian either. At least two of my students are Jehovah's Witnesses, and any kind of holiday celebration is against their faith.
The combination of green and white is generally understood as being festive and seasonal. Got anything that would do? You might also try not taking "green" and "red" fully literally: burgundy, maroon, and even hot pink can count as red and everything from deep forest to a very pale sage counts as green. (Oh, and "white" also covers a multitude of ranges.) There's also doing this via accessories: a scarf in a holidayish color (or red/green plaid), maybe. A showy premade package ribbon worn as a pin on a black top. Red or green duct tape applied in stripes to a white sweatshirt or t-shirt. (A similar trick could work for the holiday socks. As for what you tell the kids, it's a teachable moment. Not every Really Fine Person in the world (and that's what a teacher is, no?) celebrates Christmas, and that's fine. If I recall Baha'i correctly, one has no qualms about celebrating with others who celebrate - and more of us could learn from that, too. ETA: Sounds like the teachers' room could use the teachable moment, too. For a great many good reasons, dress-up days need to be "if you'd like to", not "you have to".
I simply wouldn't do it. I don't participate in those things, either. I rarely get questions from the students about it. When I do, I just say I forgot.
I am a Christian, and I don't have any Christmas-themed clothing. I wouldn't buy any either. I don't like themed clothing. I'd just tell them that I don't observe the holiday. They probably wouldn't ask. If they do, tell them the truth. We were supposed to wear Santa hats last Monday. When students asked, I told them that I don't like hats, and I don't.
I could do the Christmas sweater and red/green days, but that is it. Red is my favorite color & it looks good on me so I have a couple of red shirts. My Christmas sweater is ugly. I think we are wearing our Christmas sweaters on Friday for Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. :lol: Hopefully we'll get to wear jeans too! I would not be going out to buy something special to wear, unless it was something I really wanted!
Tell them you did not want to. Maybe its because I teach older kids, but I don't see the big deal about saying "I did not want to." Simple. OP, you do not have to participate if you don't want to. I don't see how your Admin can force you to participate in religious themed events in a public school.
I went to Goodwill today to find something to wear to a party. The price is right!! I got a nice top originally from Macy's for 3.99. No, it isn't red or green, just a little dressy. Instead of red or green, you could find something silver or gold. Try a thrift store. You never know what you'll find there. If all else fails and you want to participate (I don't always participate in dress-up days, only when I'm in the mood), stick a big bow on a white t-shirt.
For the Christmas sweater one -- wear a black sweater and tape/pin a round piece red piece of felt or paper and say it's rudolph flying in the dark.
I honestly do not understand Christmas themed stuff in a public school-- and I'm Catholic, so we celebrate Christmas. But not what you asked. If you're planning to be at that school for a while, it seems like this is something you'll need to invest in. So, for this year, I would keep it pretty basic: invest in a red sweater (bet you'll need it for Valentine's Day), or a green one for St. Patrick's Day. (Not sure of your size, but I could get by in a largish size from the boy's department, where they're cheaper.) And a pair of red and/or green socks. Throw in an elf hat of some sort, and the Christmas jewelry from the dollar store, and you should be pretty much covered for this week. Then hit the after Christmas sales and pick up what you'll want for next year.
All of our students in 10-12 grades celebrate christmas. I've had all of them and we've had this conversation because of decorations and stickers. I have one senior who identifies as an atheist, but he's still into the generic Christmas. I haven't had the freshmen yet, so I'm not sure about them.
