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Editor's
Welcome
 elcome
to another issue of Scientia Scholae. It is difficult to
believe that we are beginning our second year here at the journal!
Time has passed quickly, and we are grateful for the many contributions
you have given us. In addition, we appreciate the enormous amount
of feedback we have received. This feedback helps us to shape
the journal to better fit your educational needs. At this time,
it would be worthwhile to restate our mission for those who may
be new to our readership. Our mission is simple: to provide quality,
thought-provoking articles related to the teaching of Medieval
Studies in elementary and secondary schools.
The current issue, in contrast with those previous, is meant
to be a preface to several forthcoming issues that will highlight
research undertaken during the 2003 NEH Summer Institute on medieval
gardens held at the Pennsylvania State University. There were
twenty-five teachers from a range of disciplines who descended
on State College to be exposed to various aspects of the garden,
from its role as earthly paradise to that of herb garden. They
learned that not only is the garden functional, it is also a place
of pleasure. I was fortunate enough to deliver a guest lecture
to these fine teachers in late July. The focus of my talk was
the representations of the medieval garden in literature. I was
quite pleased with the question session afterward. The teachers
showed excellent ability in both perception and analysis. My lecture,
very oral in style, is the focal point of this current issue.
I would encourage you to use any part that you see fit. Even if
you do not use it in your classroom, it will provide you with
a sense of what the teachers learned and put to use. The articles
from the teachers themselves promise to address the multifarious
applications of the medieval garden, from hands-on projects to
literary projects. There will be something for everyone.
The other item of interest in the current issue is the review
of books for students and teachers alike by Amy West, a museum
educator at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA. Amy has
provided a number of short reviews of books on medieval life that
should be useful for many teachers. Additionally, she asks for
experienced educators to review ‘loan boxes’ of materials she
has assembled. I would encourage you to take a look at her request,
as she has put much effort into this project. Scientia Scholae
would be happy to publish your review.
We have a new book review editor, Patricia Barnhouse from Youngstown
State University in Youngstown, Ohio. Professor Barnhouse works
with college students who are aspiring teachers, as she herself
once was before entering the professoriate. If you know of a book
for which you would like to see a pedagogical review, please inform
her. You may email her at rnbarnhouse@ysu.edu.
One of our undertakings for the 2003-04 acaemic year will be to
establish relationships with those publishers who produce books
that would be of use to the K-12 market. They may be very scholarly
books, or they may be young adult literature (historical fiction).
In any case, we aim to expand our book review section by leaps
and bounds this year.
Whether you choose to use this material or to store it for a
rainy day, as always, please take a moment to share your passion
for Medieval Studies with your students. They will be the direct
beneficiaries of your enthusiasm for the medieval period.
Semper cogita, amice!
Kevin J. Ruth
Tower Hill School
Scientia Scholae, Volume
2, Issue 1, August 2003
http://www.teamsmedieval.org/scientia_scholae/0308/welcome.html
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