----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Balazs" <etnimail@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Halloween? YES! Why not!!??
I agree with Loubna. Also, how could 1/2 or 1 lesson talking about a holiday become promoting Halloween I wouldn't tell anyone that they should or must observe it.
I think the pagan roots of Holloween are interesting and could even be important for students to understand. It's not unlikely that in the future they will be in one of the many countries which observe Holloween, perhaps even on they day Holloween is celebrated. They should at least know a little about it. "The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian reinterpretation. In Mexico, All Saint's Day, following Halloween, is the Day of the Dead." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holloween
Tom
A comment on Adele's Point of view.
I think that all of those events , whether they are Halloween, Christmas , Eid Al Fiter or Hanuka, should be referred to in the classroom ,regardless of the cultural context be it Christian , Muslim or Jewish.
I, for example teach many students who have been fasting for a whole month , because of Ramadan , I could not possibly ignore this matter ,and I taught a lot of vocabulary that are related to this issue.
Similarly with Christmas or any other religious or current event that takes place in Israel, for I also teach Christian students who are Israeli citizens,and not Americans.
However, those events should not be overemphasized.
They should be taught within their own cultural or religious context. In this way cultural and religious tolerance can be enhanced in the classroom , an issue that is mostly needed in our country.
Speaking of religious events, happy Eid for those teachers and students who are celebrating Eid Alfitter.
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