I
have presented MeLand for many years now--to school classes, to senior
citizens, in bookstores, and most recently, as a key part of the class
"Be the Star You Are!" at the Masterpeace Studios in Kirkwood,
Missouri. I used it as the basis for Creative Drama
improvisations in an after-school program at a local Montessori
School. Eva's concept of MeLand is a brilliant way to foster
respect for self and others. It makes sense! Young people,
I have found in my 35 years of teaching, will do the right thing almost
all the time, if it is presented to them in a way that makes sense--in
an atmosphere of freedom and love.
For most teachers, this is a knack that takes awhile to develop.
Eva has found a way to make fundamental concepts, essential to our
living together in harmony and joy, practical, do-able, and FUN!
In my classes, I have chosen a MeLand theme and structured creative
drama exercises which are in sync with it into the lessons. This
is a natural fit and gives depth of understanding to the theatre games
and activities. Theatre, Drama, and Communication are my areas of
professional expertise; others may find ways to incorporate the MeLand
ideas into Science, Math, Languages and other fields. If I were
an elementary school teacher, I would love having the MeLand materials
available to introduce concepts essential to Character Building, to
have practical methods of making these concepts real in the children's
experience, and to have short energizing songs at hand to use!
MeLand songs can provide a bridge between subjects of study, an
energizing/focusing opportunity when the class could use a break, or a
reward . . .the uses and opportunities are endless. Teachers who
work with these materials will discover more and more ways to use them.
Parents and others involved in guiding the young will find in MeLand a
valuable way of building values of respect for self and others,
expression, thoughtfulness, and creativity. I recommend MeLand
for children of all ages! The materials are perfect for middle-
and high-school students to study so they can present them to the
younger ones!
Thanks to Eva Thayer's tireless and dedicated work, continuing now into
her 10th decade, young people today have melodic, practical and
creative methods to help them build great lives and a productive
future! MeLand becomes WeLand--a land of peace, joy and harmony.