Minister's response to literacy questions . . . . . .continued

Marilyn Murray: How long have you been married?

Minister: My husband Howard and I celebrated our 28^th wedding anniversary on Feb. 23, 2002. We were high school sweethearts!

Wandalee Hillier: Did you enjoy being our guest at the Laubach conference in Marystown?

Minister: I certainly did. It was a pleasure for me to hear first hand about the many success stories and to witness the close relationship that exists among the students and the Laubach staff and volunteers.

Margaret Hanlon: How long have you worked at this job?

Minister: I have been a Member of the House of Assembly for six years. Since being elected I have served in three portfolios. I was Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology, and now Minister of Education for the past three years.

Wandalee Hillier: Did you like school when you were in school?

Minister: This is a tricky question! I did like school but I have to admit there were days (not many) when I would rather have been doing something else.

Wandalee Hillier: I love the commercials on TV. Did you enjoy making them? I won a T-shirt and all my friends ask about it.

Minister: Yes, I enjoyed making the commercial because I believe so strongly in doing everything I can to improve literacy skills in our province. The idea behind the Read and Succeed campaign is to create an awareness of the importance of knowing how to read. The message is to start reading to, and with, children at a very young age so that when they go to school they will be prepared - and if they have a problem, teachers and others will know they need special attention to help them learn how to read. I really like the reading song, which was written by Total Communications, because it has all the right messages and I especially like hearing people sing it. The radio commercials, with messages from people like well-known author Kevin Major, and from Richard Miller of Shoal Harbour, who learned how to read late in life, are really important. Both of these gentlemen speak about the importance of knowing how to read.

The following questions are designed to check your understanding of information in this issue. After you read this paper, put it aside and try answering all the questions. Check your answers after you complete the questions.

1. Who asked the Minister the questions in the interview?
2. What is the title of the Math page?
3. Where and when was the student conference held?
4. Name two people who attended the conference.
5. What did Thomas Wiseman do for 32 years?
6. What highway is mentioned in Getting to Know Your Province?
7. Name one person who won a prize in our last puzzle draw.
8. How many children does the Minister have?