#4OCF is taking a Summer Vacation for two weeks! But don’t worry, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite posts during this time. Rich goes first this week with some of his favorites posts of all time:
It usually starts with the first hint of warm weather. An annual tradition for my kids that is held with such reverence that they always want to start early. Last week, we finally got our chance, our first opportunity to chase and catch fireflies this summer.
It’s hard to imagine that such a simple activity can become such an ingrained part of our family routine. I guess it’s a rite of passage though. I remember chasing fireflies as a child, as does my wife, although our experiences differed slightly. (I was used to catching lightning bugs, not fireflies.) As with most families, routines and traditions were melded together into something new. And so, my kids get excited when it is finally time to catch fireflies.
In our schools, combining old traditions with new routines can provide meaningful learning activities for students. While we must preserve those activities that provide identity in our schools, we must also be careful not to become complacent. Let’s not continue tired traditions simply because they have always been a part of our schools. Instead, let’s keep routines and traditions because they are relevant and meaningful to our students.
So, the next time you are chasing fireflies, think about why you are doing it. Be sure to find meaning and relevance in all that you do.
Rich (@RACzyz)