That new knowledge is incorporated into students' activities, including art projects and music events. While learning about Japanese mosaics, for instance, several art students chose to create a mosaic depicting a religious holiday theme, says head art teacher Sharon Hobart. Some students might not celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, she says, and it's fine for them to create a winter scene. But they, too, have been made aware of different traditions. Instead of restricting students' freedom, the variety increases their creativity, Hobart says.
Creativity is a learned process.
When she first started teaching art in the district 20 years ago, Hobart says, she remember Holiday traditions are an important part of all cultures, says Shirley Luebke, head music teacher. Music's universal Most of the winter concerts do have a holiday theme, Luebke says. But the holidays include Christmas, Hanukkah, even Kwanzaa, the African-American celebration. Songs are sung not only in English, but in Spanish, French, Vietnamese and other languages as well. Many of the songs are about snow, mittens, joy and sharing, Luebke says.