CHILMARK
January
20, 2005
By
Jacqueline Sexton - 508-645-2895 -
jschil@adelphia.net
Unlike most
educators today, I don't think rote-based learning is all bad. It's
useful, for instance, for learning the multiplication tables and
French verbs.
But when I hear about how kindergarteners and first graders are
learning, I'm ready to scrap rote and go for the extra dimensions
provided today. Chilmark first graders are learning how to measure
things via a dinosaur theme, which they voted to do; they can all
study the six-inch long shark's teeth, said to be 8 to15 million
years old, that student Max Ebers's father dove for in North Carolina;
and they enjoy visits from Felix Neck reptiles, relatives of the
dinosaur. It's all much more exciting and memorable than 9 x 9 equals
81. (I hope that's right.)
Friends of the Chilmark Pre-school are in the final stages of planning
for a school that will open next September and accommodate 15 children,
ages 2.9 to 5 years. It will be a privately run, non-profit program,
licensed by the state and staffed with two professionals in early
childhood education. The play-based program will be held in an unused
classroom at the Chilmark School. Group members hope to meet and
exceed national accreditation standards. It sounds like a wonderful
plan.
Congratulations to Susan Larsen who has completed her course work
for the elementary education graduate program and is now an assistant
teacher in the 4/5 classroom.
Maisy the mouse will be making a guest appearance at the library
story hour on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 10:30.The storybook character
will sing and dance and is rumored to have an exceptionally large
head.
Merrily Fenner is scheduled to speak to the school children on Monday,
Jan. 24 at the library. She will read from her book, “The Secret,”
and talk about what it's like to be an author.
Ballots for library patrons to select what this year's One Book,
One Island choices will be are at the library. There is one for
young adults and one for adults. One of the books on the adult list
is “The Enduring Shore” by Vineyard author Paul Schneider.
Ingrid Goff's “gifts for the spirit” - handmade books,
perfumes - are among crafts available at the Craft Cooperative which
opened new quarters last Friday at the Union Street Mall in Vineyard
Haven.
It is later than you think department: forget the snow. The beach
committee has announced that applications for beach parking are
available at town hall . So if you plan to rent your house and want
beach parking for your tenants, pick up an application, Monday through
Friday, 9 to 5.
Happy celebrations, past and future to January birthday folk. They
are: Brigida Larsen, Jan. 12; Todd Mayhew, Jan. 26; and Bette Carroll,
Jan. 30. Many happy returns to you all.
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