Ashley Bryan signs one of his books for an appreciative audience member at the public presentation on May 6 that preceded the conference

Two MHC-related items were prominent in area newspapers last month, and reflect two different and important aspects of the MHC's work. One was the Children's Literature Conference presented by the MHC's early literacy initiative Born to Read.

On Saturday, May 7, 2005, over 125 early childhood professionals-child care providers, preschool teachers, college students, librarians, volunteers, and college professors-gathered at Portland High School for the "Early Literacy in a Changing World" conference. The program featured keynote speakers Rosemary Wells and Ashley Bryan and workshops promoting new paths to early literacy such as music, movement, and storytelling.

In their evaluations, participants wrote that they would explore these new paths when they returned to their libraries and schools in such towns as Prospect, Long Island, Parsonsfield, Madison, Belfast, Sidney, Cape Neddick, and Rockland. Many also indicated that the conference helped them grasp the profound importance of stories and language. For instance, one wrote that she had learned "to stand up for reading — its true impact and significance for children's success with themselves and others."

A central goal of the conference was to create a space for professional development that would recognize the devotion and nurture the talents of those who work with young children. Comments revealed how unusual this is in the field of early childhood education. "Continuing education workshops can help us raise the bar!" wrote one participant. "They don't all aim for the lowest common denominator!"

The creative energy of the speakers left participants feeling inspired and affirmed-as educators, as artists, as caregivers, and as human beings. Please visit the Born to Read website for a full report on the conference.

(Thanks to Brita Zitin, Born to Read program officer, for this report.)

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Jon Gale with his students, York, Maine [photo by Jason Gray/Democrat, borrowed from www.fosters.com]

The other story was a 50-mike trek made by students of Lyman, Maine, funded in part by a MHC grant. Here's a recap:

Fourth-graders from Lyman Elementary School ventured on a hike that would sharpen their own outdoor skills and cultural understanding with the help of Jon Gale, their principal, during a week-long hike from Portsmouth, N.H., to Lyman, Maine. The hike ended on May 6.

Mr. Gale, who is retiring this year after 12 years at Lyman Elementary School, applied to the MHC for a grant to help his fourth graders learn not just about perseverance but also local history, geography, and architecture during the walk through southern Maine. A registered Maine Guide, Mr. Gale saw benefits in what a physical push could do to a child's view of what he or she could really accomplish.

In a April 26 Portland Press Herald Article, Mr. Gale said, " I wanted to give the kids something they would be proud of that would take a truly sustained effort. It might lead them into other ambitious ventures throughout their lives, knowing they could succeed at something they thought they couldn't do."

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The MHC has not sponsored this event but wishes all of our friends to know about the Bernstein Forum for International Understanding presentation on June 13. The World Affairs Council of Maine is bringing His Excellency Said Tayeb Jawad, Ambassador of Afghanistan, to the United States as their speaker for this Forum on June 13th at the University Events Room, 7th floor, Glickman Library. The program is free and open to the public. A reception will be held from 5:15 to 5:45 with the talk and a question-and-answer period to follow.

For more information, please contact Lorna Endreson at the World Affairs Council of Maine, 207-780-4552.

For upcoming events funded by a MHC grant, please click here: Grant-Funded Events

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The next major grant deadlines are October 10 (draft) and November 10 (final). Deadlines for regular and discretionary grants are rolling.

We had a huge spate of grants approved of late, so please click here to see the very long list: Recent Grants.

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This is just to say how much I enjoyed hearing the presentations of Ashley Bryan and Rosemary Wells at the Born To Read symposium. I feel truly enriched by the experience. As I reflect on it, I realize that NOTHING can replace listening to experienced, artistic people passionately present on their work, and its meaning in person. Videos, articles, pale in comparison to having a real encounter with a gifted human being.

— A written thank-you from an audience member of Born to Read's public presentation.

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Notes from an Open Book welcomes feedback from its readers. Please contact Diane Magras by email at diane@mainehumanities.org or by phone at (207)773-5051 ext. 208 (toll-free 1-866-637-3233, ext. 208) to respond.