The Cicadas' Song

Mother Nature has a pretty specific schedule for summer vacation. Long days filled with endless summer possibilities are ushered in by the lightning bugs in June, and then in late July and early August the cicadas begin singing their song.

The cicadas' song, which should be bittersweet because it's announcing the beginning of the end of those hazy, lazy summer days, is actually the exciting announcement about the potential of a new school year. It's like the best kind of New Year's Eve because you know that you have a hand in laying the foundation for an amazing school year.

The questions always fly through my head:

• How will I change my room setup?
• What will the new ideas I've learned mean for my students and their learning experiences?
• What will my new students be like?
• How can I use this new technology tool to engage my students and help them grow?

I'm sure you could add 50 more to this list. Perhaps it would be better to compare it to Christmas - there are so many gifts waiting to be opened that you don't even know where to start.

Those cicadas. They don't just usher in the end of summer. They proudly announce a new beginning. 

Never has THAT been more true than this summer. While I've started to hear the cicadas' sweet songs that signify the end of summer, I have no idea what beginning they are announcing. I suppose that is the beauty of Mother Nature. Time marches on. Her schedule stays the same. Summer must end. Temperatures will (eventually) begin to cool. The leaves will change. Whether we want it or not. Whether we are ready for it or not. Whether we LIKE it or not. Despite all of the craziness going on.

Time marches on.

I suppose my only choice is to go along for the ride and make the best of it.

And listen.

Because the cicadas are singing.