BY MAGGIE BEAMGUARD
Insider Editor
Sightings of the famous and infamous were made recently at West End Elementary School. Oprah Winfrey holding a microphone, The Rock sporting his gold necklace, Prince Harry ready to sip from a cup of tea and Gloria Steinem wearing signature aviator glasses were among those spotted.
These characters made special appearances at the school’s first fifth grade “wax museum.” Visitors were entertained by the stories of people, past and present, who have had an outsized influence on American history and culture.
David Katz, fifth grade science and social studies teacher, introduced this rubric from his former school in Florida. The assignment helps fulfill the Moore County Board of Education’s quarterly book report requirement. The fifth grade team of teachers, which also includes ELA teacher Sarah Wooley and math teacher Elizabeth Lariviere, planned the event.
Students began selecting personalities to study in February. They were given broad latitude in choosing who to select for research with approval from their teachers.
“I wanted them to pick anyone they wanted,” said Katz. “I wanted them to learn that everybody has a story.”
After reading books about their selected influential figures, the students wrote book reports and prepared presentations. They were encouraged to dress in character and bring props to the opening day of the “museum.”
The fifth graders transformed four of their classrooms with their creativity. Individual rooms were arranged by theme: historical political figures, scientists and inventors, artists and entertainers and athletes.
Laura Ingles Wilder stood shoulder to shoulder with Barack Obama. Malala Yousafzai, Julius Caesar, Anne Frank held forth. Ruth Bader Ginsberg gaveled in. Ameila Earhart and Wilbur Wright told tales of adventure. Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson talked game.
Frank Sinatra crooned. Elizabeth Arden sat poised. Vincent VanGogh and Georgia O’Keeffe gripped brushes.
Alexander Graham Bell tinkered with a Morse Code machine and electrical circuit. Nikola Tesla pontificated about the future.
Revolutionary war soldier and spy Nathan Hale spilled secrets.
Visitors, who included students of every grade level, all teachers and parents, pressed paper circles beside each character reading: “press here to see me come to life!” The studied characters came alive to recite their biographical information.
Katz and the other teachers were blown away by the efforts of the students.
“I was not expecting what I saw yesterday,” said Katz, who kept his expectations low for this first wax museum effort. “The three teachers got together afterward and were nearly in tears. The students took this and brought this to a whole new level. It was unbelievable, and not what I was expecting.”
In between crowds of visitors, the “wax figures” animatedly engaged with each other. The energy around their assignment was palpable.
While many students are uncomfortable talking in front of others, Katz observed that because they were able to be in character as someone else for a few hours they ran with the assignment.
Amelia Earhart, when asked how many times she had offered her presentation, said with wide eyes, “at least one hundred.”
She may have been correct. Students, teachers and parents all received free tickets for museum admission. At the end of the day, there were a total of 650 tickets taken.
Exhausted students were relieved to reach the end of their months-long project. Katz said their accomplishments seem to hit them fully the next day when they reviewed the experience and feedback in class.
The students have every reason to feel proud. The fifth grade teachers certainly are. For Katz, it’s more than the finished project that makes him beam. “It was really incredible watching the preparation,” he said.
The kids practiced their speeches with each other for two weeks, each day paired with a different partner. “So they got the chance to learn from each other. When they got put into the room, they didn’t know who they would be paired with. To watch them work together, and help each other and make it work was incredible.”
There is already talk of next year.
“Fourth graders are already asking if they can submit their names,” said Katz. “The kids inspired the fourth graders coming up. To see that excitement and hear what they are interested in for next year was just incredible.”
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
