Kids want YOU to discover Methuen!

By Melissa Fili
MethuenLife Writer

Kaleigh, a Timony School third-grader, was amazed to learn that Methuen Memorial Music Hall on Broadway houses a phenomenal instrument called The Great Organ which musicians from around the world come to play.
“I always thought that place was a shoe store!” she grinned.
Kaleigh and classmates in teacher Kerri Picard’s class are now bursting with facts about hometown landmarks. They recently wrapped up their Methuen Historical Discovery — researching, writing about, singing of and drawing unique places in our city. They want others to enjoy these places, so they taped ”commercials” that will air on the Methuen School Channel (Channel 10) and Methuen Community Television (Channel 22) starting this month. The goal is to persuade more Methuenites to visit the historical spots that surround them.
Picard says she was inspired to start this project when many of the kids seemed perplexed by where Methuen, Mass., fits into this great big world. She wanted to “help them discover things about their town that they really never knew existed.”
For a month, every facet of their education focused on Methuen. They researched major town landmarks during computer time, then each child chose one to illustrate in art class. In music, they learned the “I Like Methuen” song; in language arts, they wrote poems about their landmark as well as descriptive paragraphs and maps. Now, places like the Red Tavern, the Tenney Gatehouse, the Angel of Life statue and the Civil War Monument are not only familiar to the children, but have become spots they are educating their families and friends about.
“One mom told me that every time they go out, her child teaches her a new history lesson,” laughed Picard.
Picard and Laura Napoli, Timony’s technology specialist, videotaped each child or recorded their voice for the 1-minute commercials, which included the artwork, info on the landmarks, reasons to visit and catchy phrases like, “Go, go, go! Go to the walls!” in reference to the miles of stone walls, erected around the city by Edward F. Searles. Dave Shaheen, of Methuen High’s Media Center, and MHS grad and media whiz Kevin Hatch edited the commercials together and added music and text.
Student Tony Bonacorsi focused on Searles’ castle on Lawrence Street: “Mr. Searles’ castle is made out of dark red sandstone, fieldstone and cut granite, and inside there’s a library, a music room and a sun porch.”
Kyandraly Garcia encourages parents to take their little ones to the Children’s Center at Christ United Methodist Church: “They’ve got swings and a big gym to play in. Your kids will have so much fun!”
Tommy Curtis and Brett Berryman were intrigued by the giant bell outside of the Central Fire Station: “Swell’s Bell — it’s the swellest bell around!” they say in unison, adding that the bell is 100 years old and still golden.
Nicholas Lam encourages viewers to get over to the Masonic Temple: “Don’t be a couch potato!” he says, or you’ll miss out on visiting a place that used to be a hotel for people traveling through Methuen in the 1800s.
This project also provided lessons for the teacher. Picard says she learned a lot about the power of integrating many subjects to reinforce one topic. She was also impressed with the way that her third-graders embraced a demanding project.
“If you set the bar high, they can reach it,” she said.
There will be a Family Night where the class’ commercials (previously kept “top secret”) will make their first public debut. Feelings about their TV premier range from nervous and embarrassed to “really, really excited!”
While several students told MethuenLife they’re hoping that being seen on local TV helps them become “famous” around town, one little girl is imagining that viewers will notice her classmates’ effort.
“We just tried SO hard,” said Khloe Norton. “I hope everyone recognizes all of the work we did on this project.”