\nThe following is according to my understanding.<\/p>\n
\nWhen I was a kid in elementary school in PEI, then later in the Annapolis Valley, we always did a few things to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. We did so to honour the tradition, rather than because it spoke to us; I can’t recall anyone standing up and identifying as Irish. Nonetheless, it was an important tradition to acknowledge, rather like St. Valentine’s Day.<\/p>\n
\nIn the one or two weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, we would make a few commemorative art projects. Some were just colouring, while others were more elaborate. I was never great at colouring, but wasn’t usually the worst either. Some art projects I nailed, while others of mine had less success. However, it did bring St. Patrick’s Day spirit, having everyone’s art projects displayed on the walls, as was always done back then.\n
\nIn the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, the teacher would read us a few legends about St. Patrick: for instance, how he removed all the snakes from Ireland.<\/p>\n
\nSome years, we had a class party, which was common back then for special days, and always fun. Kids would bring baked goods from home, and the teacher might supply a bowl of punch (perhaps green for St. Patrick’s Day). Morning, then lunch time, would go on as normal; after lunch we would go outside to play in the school yard. But then, when we returned to class for the afternoon, the teacher would rearrange the classroom somewhat, possibly with help from the students. She (my elementary homeroom teachers were always women) would then set the goodies and punch on a serving table. For the afternoon we would be free to walk around the classroom and visit, getting treats from the table as we wanted.<\/p>\n
\nThe underlying message of St. Patrick’s Day was that St. Patrick was lucky because he believed in God. Moreover, it was a time to be happy at the realization that such luck was available to everyone who believed. The green crafts and cupcakes celebrated Ireland, but the smile and free spirit attributed to St. Patrick came from faith. The way the teachers managed to transmit those ideas, without actually saying them, shows sophistication that was easy to overlook alongside green hats and punch.<\/p>\nJack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane,<\/a> Campbell River, BC.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self-tutoring about St. Patrick’s Day: the tutor reflects… The following is according to my understanding. When I was a kid in elementary school in PEI, then later in the Annapolis Valley, we always did a few things to celebrate St. …<\/p>\n