March Break Finale

Here I am, up early, on the last morning I could have slept in. March Break is drawing to a close and we will return to alarm clocks and schedules once more. Am I ever glad that I did not flock south like several of my friends and colleagues! If I had, I would have missed the first bike rides of the season, the tulips sprouting at an Olympic rate, the "marrying' of so many sparrows in my backyard and day-trips with family and friends. The weather was glorious, the company superb. Who could ask for anything more?

Happy Family Day!

What an awesome day! We're home for a quick bite to eat and to exchange our skates and scarves for our towels and swimsuits. What are we up to, you might ask?

Family Day in Southwestern Ontario dawned bright and brisk. We bundled up and headed into the downtown core of our city. A city that I am beginning to think of as home, which is notable progress for this country girl. It was pushing 9:30 am as the kids stepped out onto the glistening ice of the outdoor rink at City Hall. Surprisingly, they were two of the four people on the ice. The sun peaked over the high rise offices that offered welcome shelter from the morning breeze. As the kids circled around the ice they were joined by a few more skaters, eager to soak up the sun's rays. In the courtyard that borders the rink volunteers were hustling to set up tables laden with steaming coffee, hot chocolate, fresh baked cookies, apples and popcorn. These goodies, much appreciated by skaters and spectators alike, were generously donated by the neighbouring Williams Cafe and the Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre. My family enjoyed an entire morning of skating and window shopping before heading home to thaw out and regroup.

Shortly, we are heading out to Public Swim at our neighbourhood pool. We'll spend a few hours splashing and sliding in the warm water before heading home to a crock pot full of tasty spaghetti, a crackling fire and a full-contact board game. The memories we'll add to the photo album will be treasured by all and my children will drift off to sleep with happy thoughts of another great Family Day! An action packed day to be sure, and all for a grand total of $12.50.

Number 8 on my Bucket List...

I promised I'd keep you updated as my Bucket List takes shape.

#8 Hike in the mountains of British Columbia.

Is Patriotism Dead?

I ask this question after a full week of rather focused observation. Spending time in a wide range of classrooms like I do, allows me to comment knowledgeably about this ritual of showing patriotism.

Here is what I have gleaned:

In a room with 6-8 colleagues, adults do not sing O' Canada. Some do not bother to stand up or cease conversation or computer work. In larger numbers, 15-30 colleagues, it takes a few adults singing before the rest will join in and half-heartedly at that. In a large crowd, adults will sing exuberantly if a sporting event is about to begin.

In a room of Grade 8 students, no one sings. In grades 4-7 students sing, scratch that, students mumble through the lyrics only if they are reminded by their teachers. Teachers who don't sing, despite reminding their students in the first place. In primary grades 2-3, students' voices harmonize beautifully along with their teachers as everyone is encouraged to participate. Who participates without hesitation or reminder? Grade one students. These little angels belt out the words, full volume, with the sincerity of saints.

This week, while conducting assessments in the Grade 1 hallway, I listened to these young Canadians show respect and honour their country. Why isn't this sense of patriotism fostered and nurtured as our students mature? Why does it seem to be squelched instead?

#7 on my Bucket List...

7. I want to drink Guinness, at the proper temperature, in a tiny pub in Ireland.

Now that I have that out of the way, I want to recommend three books to you.

1) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by: John Boyne

2) Milkweed by: Jerry Spinelli

3) The Help

Visit your local library, pick them up, make some tea and cuddle down. Be prepared to be swept back in time.

Happy reading.

What would you recommend I read next?

A Five Star Holiday on a Budget

We're nearing the end of what I have officially dubbed the best holiday ever! Five Stars all the way, and it didn't cost me a month's salary and I didn't need to cram into my swimsuit. Several people will have maxed their credit cards in order to purchase a five star vacation package for some exotic destination this Christmas holiday. Not me. I stayed in the comfort of my home, with the people I love and did all the things I enjoy for the past two weeks.

It's been incredible! I'm not saying I wouldn't have enjoyed sun, sand and surf, but I certainly didn't need them to experience a peaceful, relaxing and fun-filled holiday. My new philosophy, one that I've been mulling over for about six months, is this: If I can't pay cash for something right now, I don't need it right now. Thankfully, nothing big has happened, no real emergencies, or my new philosophy might have been put to the test. But, there has been a new fridge, the twenty-four year old predecessor died. There was a furnace repair, a car tune-up and don't forget the Christmas shopping. I held fast to my new mantra. The best test was ensuring my children and I had a memorable holiday. We did!

Visits with family and friends, toboggan parties, free public skating, a movie night, pjs and a fire... the list goes on. Maybe one year we'll try an all inclusive, five star holiday in an exotic locale, but probably not. I don't think I could give up Christmas with my parents, my brother's family and my Grandma. They've all taught me to appreciate the comforts, nope scratch that, the luxuries of home.

How was your holiday?

The Downfalls of Screen Time

Giggling echoed over the gently sloping hills that border the schoolyard, as my children and their friends tobogganed this afternoon. The crisp winter air and the endless trips up and down the hill painted round, rosy patches on their cheeks. It was a magical day.

An old fashioned play-date, one friend each for an entire afternoon and evening of fun. Lego, popcorn, Twister, tobogganing, hot chocolate and laughing. You'll notice that nowhere on that list did I include, video games, DS, Game-boy, X-Box, PS3, Wii, Tablets, Kindles, computers or Touches. No screens whatsoever! I'll admit to owning one 19 inch TV, a computer and a Wii, but my children are not obsessed with technology. They don't 'plug-in' every chance they get and as a result, they are still children.

As a Learning Support Teacher, I spend a large portion of my day coaching teachers around participation techniques. How can we teach curriculum in a way that engages students? It used to be that participation from our students was a given. Students were expected to focus and learn. Now, teachers are expected to constantly engage all of their students, all of the time. No pressure there... we're just competing with all those screens that flash, beep, and hold today's youth spellbound. The problem I see with too much technology is the tendency for youth to be drawn into a world so far removed from reality that when they do unplug, momentarily even, they struggle to communicate, focus and succeed in the real world.

The old fashion playing that happened in my home this afternoon is the norm for my family. I acknowledge that technology has a place in our world, our society and in our classrooms, but there must be a balance. Screens, remotes and keyboards will never replace whispering under the sheets of a dinning-room fort and they can't compete with the thrill of coasting down the hill on a toboggan with a friend. These childhood experiences must remain sacred.

And before you say it, yes I am aware that I'm posting my thoughts on my blog, using the same technology that I caution can intrude on our lives. The difference is, I'm going to unplug right now, instead of surfing the Net, reading gossip and rubbish. I'm going to snuggle down with a good book. A real book, with pages and a cover, not a Kindle, a Kobo or an E-reader, but a real book.

P.S. I might even dog-ear the page before I fall asleep. Don't tell the Librarian. Librarian? you ask. Don't even get me started on that...