Fall Fun and Funky Celebrations: Why Classroom Parties Still Matter
The significance of classroom celebrations, particularly during the fall and Halloween, cannot be overstated, as they serve to foster a sense of belonging and community among students. In our earnest discourse, we elucidate the multifaceted benefits of such gatherings, emphasizing that they transcend mere indulgence in sugary treats and serve as vital opportunities for students to engage in joyous experiences devoid of substances. We delve into the historical context of Halloween, dispelling prevalent misconceptions and highlighting its roots in community celebration and remembrance. Furthermore, we advocate for the importance of Red Ribbon Week, reinforcing the notion that fun can be derived from healthy choices, free from the influence of drugs and alcohol. Ultimately, we assert that these celebratory moments not only enhance the school environment but also contribute to the holistic development of resilient and happy children, instilling in them invaluable life lessons that extend beyond the classroom.
In this compelling episode of The Be a Funky Teacher Podcast, Nicholas Kleve delves into the importance of fall festivities and classroom celebrations, particularly in the context of Halloween and Red Ribbon Week. He passionately asserts that these occasions extend beyond mere indulgence in treats; they are vital for nurturing a vibrant classroom community. Nicholas shares anecdotes from his own experiences, illustrating how these celebrations foster connections among students and create lasting memories that contribute to their emotional and social development. He emphasizes that joyful moments in the classroom provide students with a sense of belonging, which is essential for their overall well-being.
The narrative further explores the historical origins of Halloween, as Nicholas seeks to dispel the misconceptions surrounding the holiday. He articulates that Halloween has roots in traditions such as All Hallows Eve, which honors virtuous lives and community togetherness. By providing this historical context, Nicholas encourages students to view Halloween as a celebration of joy and connection rather than as a source of fear. He advocates for the necessity of these conversations in the classroom, helping students understand the evolution of traditions and their significance in fostering community ties.
In conclusion, Nicholas makes a compelling case for the inclusion of classroom celebrations in the academic schedule. He argues that such events are not frivolous distractions but rather essential components of a holistic educational approach. By embracing celebrations, educators can create an environment where students thrive emotionally and socially, ultimately enhancing their academic success. The episode serves as a reminder that joy is foundational to the learning experience, and classroom parties play a crucial role in shaping resilient and happy students.
Takeaways:
- Classroom celebrations are integral to fostering a sense of community among students.
- The origins of Halloween are rooted in historical traditions that emphasize community and connection.
- Joyful classroom activities are essential in teaching students about healthy, substance-free fun.
- Celebrating together helps students build lasting memories that significantly enhance their educational experience.
- Classroom parties provide vital opportunities for students to engage socially and emotionally, enhancing their learning.
- The act of celebrating in the classroom reinforces the importance of joy and connection in education.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Be a Funky Teacher
Transcript
Yeah, he's Mr. Funky.
Speaker A:He's Mr. Funky Teacher.
Speaker A:Mr. Funky Teacher inspires greatness, makes you feel good.
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Speaker A:He's Mr. Funky Teacher.
Speaker A:Yeah, he's Mr. Funky Teacher.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker B:This is Mr. Funky Teacher with Be a Funky Teacher dot com.
Speaker B:I'm coming to you with another Be a Funky Teacher podcast.
Speaker B:Welcome back, everyone.
Speaker B:Today's episode is called Fall Fun and Funky Celebrations.
Speaker B:Why classroom parties still matter.
Speaker B:That's right.
Speaker B:That's what we are going to be focusing on.
Speaker B:But before we get into it, let's talk about three things that I'm thankful for.
Speaker B:First thing I'm thankful for is my birthday cookie cake.
Speaker B:Yesterday was my birthday and my family made me this giant cookie cake.
Speaker B:It wasn't just dessert, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:Was.
Speaker B:Was something about it that there was this love baked right into it.
Speaker B:It meant so much to me.
Speaker B:Second thing I'm thankful for, carving pumpkins with my family, my dad and.
Speaker B:And brother.
Speaker B:My brother, he's.
Speaker B:He's older than me, actually.
Speaker B:He's.
Speaker B:He's mentally and physically disabled, has cerebral palsy.
Speaker B:My dad brought him over and my wife with my three kids.
Speaker B:All of us were out in the garage on a table carving pumpkins, just laughing, having fun together.
Speaker B:It just was very nice.
Speaker B:I really enjoyed it.
Speaker B:I'm thankful for that.
Speaker B:There's.
Speaker B:There's something about scooping out those seeds and creating goofy faces and laughing together.
Speaker B:It just doesn't get old.
Speaker B:I love it.
Speaker B:The other thing I'm thankful for is visiting a haunted house with my family last night.
Speaker B:And my wife didn't go.
Speaker B:She's kind of a scaredy cat when it comes to haunted houses.
Speaker B:But my.
Speaker B:My three kids went and that was.
Speaker B:That was a great time, a little adrenaline, a lot of laughter, and we just had some great memories going.
Speaker B:I'm thankful for that time we got to spend together doing things that make us smile and any scream in a good way.
Speaker B:Let's get into the main topic, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:Fall fun and funky celebrations.
Speaker B:Why classroom parties still matter.
Speaker B:So let's talk about why we celebrate in the classroom, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:Celebration builds connection.
Speaker B:It's not just about sugary highs.
Speaker B:Those sugar highs, I mean, they.
Speaker B:They could be intense, right?
Speaker B:It's not about the.
Speaker B:The candy bags either.
Speaker B:It's really about the community.
Speaker B:See, when.
Speaker B:When students get to dance, laugh, and let loose, they feel like they belong.
Speaker B:These, these moments strengthen relationships with students where it can actually make the learning space feel truly alive, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:It absolutely can.
Speaker B:Now, a fall party or a Holland party, it gives kids memories.
Speaker B:They're actually.
Speaker B:They'll actually talk about y' all years after they leave your classroom.
Speaker B:Now, sometimes the most important lessons we teach aren't academics.
Speaker B:They're about how to find joy, kindness, and fun in healthy ways.
Speaker B:What a powerful thing to do, y', all, with having celebrations in the classroom and making memories that will extend far beyond our classroom.
Speaker B:Now, it's always interesting the real origins of Halloween.
Speaker B:You know, I've had some kids in past years talk about this, really say some miss misperceptions.
Speaker B:Like, I've had some people think that Halloween is a dark or evil holiday, but really its history is much, much more layered, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:The.
Speaker B:The word Halloween actually comes from All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day.
Speaker B:It actually is a Catholic tradition honoring people who lived good and faithful lives.
Speaker B:And so now, over time, y' all people, they blended traditions with the things like Celtic harvest festivals, Catholic observances, and.
Speaker B:And community celebrations.
Speaker B:And so what we now know today as Halloween evolved into something fun with costumes, treats, laughter, and connection.
Speaker B:And so I sometimes will have to have this conversation with students.
Speaker B:This is my 23rd year of teaching.
Speaker B:I have had.
Speaker B:Had those conversations because there will be kids who have a very big misunderstanding of what Halloween is.
Speaker B:And we just have those conversations.
Speaker B:And I'm not necessarily trying to, like, change like, like trying to, like, if families are telling the kids one thing.
Speaker B:I. I try to talk about Halloween from a historical point of view with the origins of it, where, where there might be some misperceptions and not saying that I'm not also trying to say, like, if families don't celebrate Halloween or don't go out trick or treating or don't do stuff outside of school, that's fine too.
Speaker B:Or if kids don't want to participate in wearing a costume that's at school or that that's fine as well.
Speaker B:100%, that's fine.
Speaker B:But, you know, it's still important to talk about from an accurately historical point of view, the origins of it.
Speaker B:And so when I A lot of times I talked with students, we kind of get into it, talking about how Halloween started as a mix of remembering good people, celebrating harvest time and having fun together.
Speaker B:The origins is not about evil, but really about community.
Speaker B:And I think that understanding that the history helps replace fear with curiosity and teaches kids that traditions change and they grow just like people do.
Speaker B:I always find kids sometimes surprised about their.
Speaker B:Their own misunderstanding around Halloween.
Speaker B:And I will have that conversation today, too, with.
Speaker B:With talking with students about the.
Speaker B:The origin of Halloween and.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And how it kind of has changed and evolved over the years.
Speaker B:Now the, The.
Speaker B:The next big thing is.
Speaker B:I want to talk about, just a moment about Red Ribbon Week and teaching healthy fun.
Speaker B:Now this week in.
Speaker B:In all of the.
Speaker B:Everything going on this time of year with the.
Speaker B:The ball fun and.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And Halloween and with my birthday and my.
Speaker B:My daughter's birthday was two days ago.
Speaker B:Just.
Speaker B:And just being kind of just a busy.
Speaker B:We also have our.
Speaker B:Our school's team is.
Speaker B:Is in the football playoffs.
Speaker B:There's a lot going on, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:It's also Red Ribbon Week and it's a reminder that we don't need drugs or.
Speaker B:Or alcohol to have fun.
Speaker B:It's about making choices that keep our minds and our body strong, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:So when I host my classroom dance parties, I usually do a fall dance party that, that aligns with.
Speaker B:With Halloween, with lights, loud music, and just really no pressure.
Speaker B:I want students to see that fun doesn't need substance, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:It needs people.
Speaker B:If we can teach kids how to laugh, dance and connect sober, we're teaching them how to live fully, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:Write that down.
Speaker B:It's going to be in a test.
Speaker B:I'll say it one more time, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:I'll say it one more time.
Speaker B:If we can teach kids how to laugh, dance and connect sober, we can.
Speaker B:We are teaching them how to live fully.
Speaker B:These school moments can shape how they define fun for the rest of their lives, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:That's why it's so important.
Speaker B:That's why I take these dance parties so seriously.
Speaker B:That's why they're so meaningful and purposeful, because I. I see how influential they are and.
Speaker B:And so I take them very seriously, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:And so I have this funky dance party tradition that in my class, we.
Speaker B:We go all out.
Speaker B:We got the lights off, we got.
Speaker B:We got lights going, flashing lights going with black lights, just different fun, cheap lights that can really transform a space, music pump and everyone dancing.
Speaker B:I teach.
Speaker B:I teach students about.
Speaker B:It's not about how.
Speaker B:How skilled or fancy of a dancer you are, but just moving your body and laughing and enjoying being, being together, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:It's not about the playlist.
Speaker B:It's about permission to be joyful and free.
Speaker B:And I, I've actually seen students who sometimes really talk jump right in once the beat drops.
Speaker B:It's like a reminder that they belong here too.
Speaker B:These moments let you see kids differently.
Speaker B:The.
Speaker B:The quiet ones smiling, the out ones leading, everyone just being human together.
Speaker B:I've had.
Speaker B:It's always so neat because you never know how a dance party is gonna.
Speaker B:I, I ultimately know how dance parties are gonna go, but you never know how.
Speaker B:There's unique things.
Speaker B:I, I've had different dance parties where you break out in like.
Speaker B:Like a dance train or sometimes some of the.
Speaker B:Some of the most quiet students are leading that train, going around the room.
Speaker B:It's just.
Speaker B:It just makes you smile and it makes you.
Speaker B:You laugh and it just fills your heart with joy.
Speaker B:I've had students get in circles and, and different kids jump in doing dance circles and just trying to do it in a way where, where once again, it's not about needing drugs or alcohol or outside influences, because that's what I'm.
Speaker B:That I'm trying to teach a life lesson here that goes way beyond just, hey, we.
Speaker B:You need to put substance in your body to have fun.
Speaker B:And that's what society will try to impose on students that think that they need.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And that is just not the case here.
Speaker B:And so why do we still need classroom parties?
Speaker B:Well, there's pressures today to cut non academic time, but joy is not optional.
Speaker B:It's foundational, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:And students who feel celebrated try harder in academics.
Speaker B:They behave better, and they trust their teacher more, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:These moments also remind us why we teach.
Speaker B:Because life with kids is full of energy and wonder, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:Classroom celebrations teach balance.
Speaker B:They teach working hard, playing hard, and taking care of each other.
Speaker B:It's not just about the party, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:It's about creating positive memories that help shape resilient, happy kids, truly.
Speaker B:So some reflective takeaways here, y', all, is that that fall celebrations don't have to just be fancy to be meaningful.
Speaker B:Whether it's Halloween cupcakes, a red ribbon dance, or just 10 minutes of laughter, it all matters.
Speaker B:When we celebrate with students, we're not just making.
Speaker B:We're.
Speaker B:We're just not.
Speaker B:Not defining the day or marking the day.
Speaker B:We're modeling a way to live.
Speaker B:So turn in the music, dim the lights.
Speaker B:Make the room full of joy.
Speaker B:Because in a world that can be heavy, classroom should feel light.
Speaker B:Well, I hope that you found value in this episode, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:If you did, jump on over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcast and hit me up with five star review.
Speaker B:Let me know what you think, y'.
Speaker B:All.
Speaker B:And, and the most important thing, remember to inspire greatness in young people.
Speaker B:And don't forget to be a funky teacher.
Speaker B:Bye now.
Speaker A:He's Mr. Funky Teacher?
Speaker A:Yeah, he's Mr. Funky Teacher?
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker B:There.
