THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 16, 1996 TAG: 9608160001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 45 lines
I am a student at the Old Donation Center for Gifted and Talented Summer Camp. In our Creative Expressions class, we have been reading your editorial page.
I agree with ``Mother started turning off the TV and making us read'' from a speech by Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. (Focus, June 7), about how America is too focused on sports and entertainment while falling behind in math and science. Dr. Carson's words provided a topic that led to a great deal of discussion in my classroom as well as at home.
In my class, we are all Virginia Beach public-school rising fifth-graders. Our teacher, Ms. Fletcher, has encouraged us to read the newspaper daily and study the editorial page. She has also taught us the value of a daily newspaper and the availability of editorial commentary, political cartoons and letters. Ms. Fletcher is really trying to help us focus on the value of our community and how all of our time should not be wasted in front of the television.
If I am not careful, I will spend an inordinate amount of time in front of our family television playing video games or watching TV. Fortunately for my brother and me, our parents are concerned about us and insist that we get outdoor exercise and spend time visiting museums, playing sports, listening to music, reading books (the classics are my favorite) and generally ``entertaining'' ourselves without the benefit of the television.
Instead of watching the television, we can visit historical sites and museums. Here are some of my recommendations:
Virginia Beach Life Saving Station
First Landing Cross
Norwegian Lady
Jamestown settlement
Yorktown battlegrounds
Colonial Williamsburg
Marine Science Museum
Chrysler Museum
Living Museum of Virginia
These places abound in Hampton Roads. In their spare time, I suggest that people visit these places.
CARL J. PRICE
Virginia Beach, July, 22, 1996 by CNB