The calendar is turning to August... You know what that means, right?

Given some of the weather I have been hearing about back in Oak Park, maybe India's not so bad.

I hope your summer has been great. India has been awe- inspiring. There has been much here I have gained and learned. As the calendar turns, I hope that your attention is focused on returning and having as much of an "awe- inspiring" experience in class as I have had here... Ok, it's a stretch, but one that's worth it.

With time elapsing in both of our summers, here is a list of things that can be done on your own and with parental permission to make your time more meaningful:
1) Go to the Art Institute and absorb the art.
2) Check out a book at the library of something that you know you need to read, but haven't had the time. If possible, check out the closing sale at Borders',also.
3) Pay some attention to the debt debate that is going on, right now, at this moment in Washington, D.C. Trust me when I say it impacts you more than it does me.
4) Take some time to think about last year. Think about where you did well and where you need improvement. Questions: How are you going to continue and enhance your successes and how are you going to make active improvement?
5) Take a long walk with someone in your family. Talk with them on your walk and listen. I mean, really listen. Try to hear them and pay attention to what they say. (It's not as easy as it sounds.)
6) If you have access to a computer or can gain access to a computer, try listening to music from a different genre, or category, that you have not heard before. My suggestions: Jazz, International/ World, Classical, Classic Rock and Roll. See if you can find a new artist in that genre whose music you really like.
7) With parental permission, go to a mall and "people watch." What are people at the mall like? What do you see around you? Where are you in all of this?
8) Start becoming familiar with next year's Social Studies curriculum! For those going to seventh or eighth grade, the Constitution is a good starting point. Become familiar with it. For those going into high school, might I suggest that you start becoming familiar with the works of Homer or other "greats" of Western Thought.
9) Take some time to really enjoy what is left of your summer... on your own.
10) Make sure your school fees are paid so that you can get your schedule in the next two weeks and find out what is in store for you.

To all of you, do enjoy what is left. I look forward to hearing from you soon enough.
All best.
Mr. Kannan

Picture property of flickrPrince with rights stipulated here http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/