We all know that reading benefits the “whole person”. It makes you confident in your reading, comprehension and also in your writing. It is a trans-disciplinary skill and every curriculum area at St. Michael’s benefits from our students being involved and active readers.
This week online, a number of families and community groups are documenting celebrations of “Screen Free week”. The ability of technology to permeate into every aspect of our lives is increasing as the access and ability to navigate this world becomes easier.
But for the people who are engaging in this initiative, the idea of taking a break from technology is not a new one. The Jewish custom of celebrating Shabbat every Friday to Saturday night is one example of how communities switch off technology and value the connections with their families and friends. They conscientiously make an effort to re-connect.
When Gary Turk's spoken word film “Look Up” went viral, it highlighted the disruptive habits that have formed in our technology rich society. The need for external affirmation of our actions, in the form of “likes”, has taken over our lives in a short amount of time. Groups of people abandoning the the interpersonal ability to show gratitude throughout their day.
