Today is Remembrance Day. I've always been a proponent of this day being a stat holiday because of the significance of what and who we are remembering. I think I'm beginning to change my mind. Each year, Canadian schools prepare observances of some sort that often involve some pageantry, a member of the armed forces who comes to speak to the kids and in our case as a Catholic school, an offering of prayers of thanksgiving for those who have gone before us to secure our freedom and those who so courageously have taken up that cross to do the same today. If not for this opportunity that kids get at school, would they take the time at 11am to sit in quiet contemplation? Would they care? I'm reminded of a video that I think I have shown every year that I have been in education. Do you know "Pittance of Time" by Terry Kelly? The song is based on a true story and video so beautifully illustrates it:
As time goes on, what and who we remember evolves. The First World War seems so far removed from this generation of kids that there doesn't seem to be the same appreciation for the profound sacrifice that was made over 100 years ago. I can't think of a better time when we have a captive audience, to teach kids about the importance of what those young people did for our country so many years ago. The cost of was high. Canada lost 10% of its population during World War One. And while there have been so many wars and conflicts since, we need to show our kids that the loss and suffering that was endured was not for nothing. I think kids need to hear about the value of suffering and the need for resilience - two very uncommonly heard messages these days. I look at my students who are wonderful in their own right but I doubt so would be ever to do now what young people did so long ago when they enlisted to fight for Canada. It's not a criticism. Different times. Different priorities.
As educators, we are privileged to have this opportunity to honour our brave men and women of yesterday and today and we owe it to our kids to be examples of humility and gratitude.
As time goes on, what and who we remember evolves. The First World War seems so far removed from this generation of kids that there doesn't seem to be the same appreciation for the profound sacrifice that was made over 100 years ago. I can't think of a better time when we have a captive audience, to teach kids about the importance of what those young people did for our country so many years ago. The cost of was high. Canada lost 10% of its population during World War One. And while there have been so many wars and conflicts since, we need to show our kids that the loss and suffering that was endured was not for nothing. I think kids need to hear about the value of suffering and the need for resilience - two very uncommonly heard messages these days. I look at my students who are wonderful in their own right but I doubt so would be ever to do now what young people did so long ago when they enlisted to fight for Canada. It's not a criticism. Different times. Different priorities.
As educators, we are privileged to have this opportunity to honour our brave men and women of yesterday and today and we owe it to our kids to be examples of humility and gratitude.
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