The Garden School Tattler

One of the exciting things about teaching very young children is coming up with new and innovative ways of teaching, and using new themes and new resources. At the faculty meeting on Wednesday, where Miss Kelly served Cordon Blue, baked pastries and a splendid fare of veggies, we discussed summer rules, but more important we jokingly began with "If you think about each summer day as a play, with a beginning, a middle and and end," and as I was about to continue, Edith piped in, "And I suppose lunch is intermission?" Well it took off from there and it's continued all day with jokes about old cartoon characters with hilarious names like Cad Lackey, and Boris Badinoff, and old Vaudevillians, old TV actors and shows.

While we were cooling off with summer coolers today - sprite and left over ice cream - we wondered if a summer spent using theatre jargon and showing some old movies like Shirley Temple movies, and some old cartoons and talking about old Vaudeville jokes, if the kids would fine this culturally interesting. Old pictures, old movie costumes, jewelry, hats, makeup - what a lark.

Beve Pietrowski is taking pictures on Thursday, June 8. It would be fun to do some shots of the kids in big floppy hats and droopy dresses and top hats and starched collars. Let me know what you think. It could be a day-day getting the kids ready.

Remembering is only half the fun. Using the old as a wonderful fun part of the present is what learning is all about. Being aware of things that make life fuller, and give more meaning to the moment is what children should strive for their whole life long.

Pick your favorite cartoon character or movie star and remember - it's really fun. Anyone remember Mr. Lucky with Carey Grant? Anyone remember High Noon with Gary Cooper? How about the magpies Heckle and Jeckle? Has anyone seen The Casket of Dr. Caligari? Forgive the spelling.

Please feel free to add some of your old favorites. Not sure of what we will do, but your ideas and ours will give this summer some special laughs and a new dimension.