In the schools…
Talk about engaging students in learning: I experienced the most amazing English project at the Daley School during a family event last month. The project was a Live Wax Museum where sixth graders in period costumes posed frozen until you touched them; at that point, they “came to life” and told a brief story they’d written about the character they represented. They had been studying biographies, and each student had to choose someone who made a positive contribution to write about. After doing research at the library, students wrote their own biography of their chosen person. They then created a poster that visually represented the person. Along with that, they researched the clothing and created a costume to bring their character to life. I wish I’d brought my camera because the kids did a great job getting in character—from Amelia Earhart in goggles, to Lewis and Clark with a telescope, and John Lennon with round glasses and a guitar. In addition to learning a few things myself about folks such as Mr. Braille who created written language for the blind, and the life of Mr. Hershey, to name a few, the students themselves were so excited and proud of their projects, it was palpable. You could see many had chosen characters, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Madame Curie, Tiger Woods, Jackie Robinson, and Abraham Lincoln, that they connected to on a personal level. It was a fun project, and special kudos to Mrs. Bejaniance, the sixth grade English teacher behind it.