Students at Bermuda's public schools are using a multi-media Folklife resource guide to help them learn about Bermuda's cultural history.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Education Minister Terry Lister said schools traditionally used Heritage Month to focus studies on Bermuda's past and the mutli-media Folklife guides would be used by teachers to enhance these classes.

He said the guides, which were produced by local teachers, were divided into three sections and the first of these contained a classroom handbook, a video of investigative projects constructed by various students, an audio CD as well as posters that show how the interviewing process should take place.

Mr. Lister said the second section of the resource guide contained essays on relevant topics which could be used by teachers as background reading.

The final section pertains to Bermuda's musical selections so that students can develop a better understanding of the variety of music that is available on the audio CD.

"This resource guide is a complete kit that not only contains a wealth of information about Bermuda's culture and customs, but from a teaching standpoint, contains information presented in ways that appeals to any kind of learner ? visual, auditory or hands-on.

However the materials in the guide are not limited to one particular area.

Mr. Lister said the materials were cross-curricular and could be used just as easily to enhance a social studies lesson, as they could be used to enhance a visual or fine arts lesson.

The materials can also be used to support lessons in English Language Arts, mathematics, health, safety and science.

The guide is a collaborative effort between the Smithsonian Institute and the Ministries of Education and Development and Community Affairs and Sport.

"Just about every Bermudian remembers the magnificent opportunity this country had to go to Washington, DC in order to participate in the Smithsonian Institutions Folklife Festival. Hundreds, if not thousands of Bermudians went to support our artisans and sportsmen and women. As a direct result of our participation in that event, selected teachers were able to attend workshops at the Smithsonian in preparation for producing the guide," he said.

"There is no doubt that we are the envy of other countries around the world, because we are one of the few to have available at our fingertips a comprehensive, well-written and well-researched document of this kind," he said.

Mr. Lister said in order to help younger citizens develop an appreciation for our distinctive customs, senior citizens were also invited to sit and chat with young people and tell them what Bermuda was like decades ago.

He said this interaction had always proved beneficial, not only to the students, but also to the seniors who enjoyed sharing their tales of a Bermuda long ago.