A letter published on April 21 interests me as a retired educator. The writers said the third-grade daughter of a friend, Amber Langworthy, a candidate for Position 5 on the Springfield School Board, is not getting a well-rounded education that includes science, geography, civics, history and health.

All of the subjects mentioned are pertinent to the lives of third graders and to all children, of course. But I would ask Langworthy, what teaching method she supports for including these subjects in curricula for third-grade students? What emphasis would she, likewise, place on basic reading skills and comprehension?

A third-grade student is likely to be 8 or 9 years old. Most researchers in this field maintain that children in this age range learn best when age-level, developmental teaching strategies are used, including hands-on experiences, visual aids, games, technology, all tailored as much as possible to the children’s reading skills and comprehension levels.

At the same time, some structure can enhance learning for these youngsters as long as that doesn’t mean sit-at-your-desk quietly, do this series of paper-and-pencil worksheets, turn in your homework daily, as is the case in some classrooms for young children.

I wonder where the candidate stands.

Jeanne Armstrong

Eugene