Summer Homework Goes Viral

The kids have just four more days of school and school's out for summer.  Then it's playing outside until nearly 10pm and realizing that you still haven't eaten dinner.  It's movies and campouts in the family room.  It's sleeping in, river romps, and BBQs all the way through. Man. Summer we're ready for you.

Well sort of.  Last night on a whim, I started creating a summer bucket list of things to do with the kids.  And I came up with one idea.  One.  This could be a long summer.  

What I wrote down was this:

Golden Skate.  

And might I add this was very out of character?

Then, this afternoon, by some freak turn of events, I read that after 71 years of rollerskating and limbo contests, Golden Skate is closing its doors after this weekend.  I've got elementary memories of flying around that rink, and rolling those skates like a champ.  I even won one of those limbo contests.  We even had a limo pick us up from Golden Skate after our sixth grade graduation party.  If you grew up around here, I'm almost sure that you have memories of Golden Skate, too.

So what happens, now?  I take my kids to Golden Skate tomorrow.

Have you heard about the Italian high school teacher's summer homework assignment that's gone viral?  It's wonderful and sweet and good.  Here's a translated excerpt.  You can find the rest on Facebook.  The media has been doing a nice job of giving this teacher credit for his assignment by guiding people back to his account for the full read.  I'll do the same.  

1. In the morning, some time, go to walk on the shore of the sea in total solitude: look how it reflects the sun and, thinking about the things that you love most in life, feel happy.  

2. try to use all the new terms learned together this year: more things you can say, the more things you can think; and the more things you can think, the more you are free

3. Read, as much as you can. But not because you have to. Read why the summer inspires you adventures and dreams, and reading I look similar to swallows in flight. Read because it is the best form of uprising that you (for advice of reading, ask me).
4. Avoided all the things, the situations and people that make you negative or empty: try situations stimulants and the company of friends that there enrich, I understand and appreciate you for what you are.
5. If you feel sad or scared, don't worry: the summer, as all the wonderful things, puts in turmoil the soul. Try to write a diary to tell your state (in September, if you like, do we read together).

I'm especially fond of the last task:

15.  Do the good

What's on your summer bucket list?

image