The story of Father Christmas is widespread across Europe and beyond, and for almost six weeks each year dominates children's and adults' lives. This longitudinal study examined parental practices and attitudes towards the Father Christmas story. Participating during the first phase of the study, conducted during November and December 1998, were…

This paper offers 10 facts to address common misconceptions about job-hunting during the holiday season. The facts are: (1) job hunters are going to be a bother to most of the employers that they call no matter what day or time that they call, so call them regardless of the day or time; (2) most employers are not merely lying back and coasting…

Researchers and theorists have been discussing the relationship between cognition and affect for many years, contemplating whether or not thought is necessary to emotion. A study was undertaken to gain information about the relationship between cognition and affect with reference to psychopathology. To examine the relationship between cognitive…

The Nguzo Saba or "Seven Principles of Blackness" provide the fundamental basis for the development of an African America value system that is based on the cultural and historical particularisms of being Black in an American society that devalues Black efficacy and Black people. The fundamentals of this value system, foundational to the Kwanzaa…

Results of a small-scale study involving 20 third-grade students indicated that children who watch considerably less television than their peers nevertheless were effectively persuaded by virtue of what and when they watched. Additionally, while these children seemed to understand the functions of advertisments and had experienced prior…

This paper suggests that the study of holidays presents an opportunity for elementary school teachers to employ a range of social science disciplines and to teach their students the fundamentals of inquiry and critical thinking. The study of holidays from a cross-cultural perspective helps students to understand that peoples of all cultures find…

Discusses the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas. Criticizes contemporary condemnation of Columbus as unproductive. Acknowledges the deaths of countless Native Americans through disease and warfare. Recognizes that the pre-Columbian Americas did not comprise a paradise. Concludes that commemorating the…

Suggestions for combining cultural exposure and language instruction through class activities geared to American holidays are outlined. General information about gathering holiday-related realia and instructional materials from local newspapers and magazines is provided, and four specific holidays are highlighted. For each holiday, sources of…

This curriculum presentation outlines how to celebrate five Mexican holidays in the classroom: Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, Fiesta, Las Posados, and Three Kings Day. The goal is to help children learn through hands-on activities and real-life experiences. The format for each holiday celebration includes a brief history with ideas for…

This report begins by discussing the role of the New York Education Department; community education agencies; school boards, administrators, teachers, and their associations; community-based organizations; and the role of other state and local agencies in creating collaborative approaches to early childhood programming. Several collaborative early…

Researchers suggest that children of minority groups are so confused by the customs of the dominant culture represented in schools that their English literacy learning suffers. An ethnographic study examined the literacy learning of two language minority children in a suburban kindergarten program. Using unstructured interviews, the focal…

This paper describes Caribbean street festivals as celebrations that reflect the historic, climate, and movement patterns of the region. Celebrations such as Carnival, Hosay, and Jonkonnu are discussed, and it is proposed that study of these and other festivals can be linked to the five thematic generalizations often utilized by geographers. These…

This paper presents a resource list of instructional materials that can serve as the basis for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) lessons on holidays and festivals. The paper explains that learning about holidays and festivals provides a way for English language learners to gain a better understanding of North American culture. The resources are…

Year round school programs are more difficult to implement in secondary schools because of the nature of teaching and the seasonal organization of extracurricular activities in high schools. There is no one year round program that is desirable for all schools. When considering a year round program for the first time the following variables should…

An analysis of concepts of time in Latin American societies focuses on aspects that can be useful in teaching Spanish as a second language and Hispanic culture in anglophone North America, and includes specific suggestions for classroom activities and teaching techniques. Analysis looks at the following aspects and functions of time: polychronic…