Bennett Third Grade Teacher Connie Velardez said the students started this project with learning about historical figures.

 

"We compared and contrasted autobiographies and biographies before we assigned the project," Velardez said. "We began our research in the library when students were given a list of historical figures to choose from, or they could also request someone else who was not on the list."

 

Velardez said once they selected their figure, students began their research by using a graphic organizer, reading and doing online research, and writing a report about what they learned.

 

"The final activity was to write a short speech they would later learn to memorize," Velardez explained. "During our open house, students had the opportunity to present the information they acquired from their biography research."

 

This is when the students formed an interactive, living "wax  museum."

 

"Essentially, students 'became' the person they studied," Velardez said. "They dressed up as the person they researched and memorized a short biography of the person they chose to be. Students posed as statues during the gallery walk. Each student was given a dot to put on their hand, as parents walked around the classroom,  they pushed the dot on a  student's hand and the 'wax figure' came alive to give the autobiographical account of 'their' life."

 

Velardez said she loved seeing the excitement for the students as everything came together for their presentations.

 

"Some were nervous at the beginning, but in the end they were reciting their speeches without a problem," Velardez said. "The students were able to practice among their peers and practice at home to prepare for their presentation, which turned out amazing. We are extremely proud of the students who did amazing work. Unfortunely, some students were not able to make it to the presentation, so  parents sent videos to classroom teachers which we were able to share with our students in our class."

 

Velardez expressed that projects like this are what really reinforce learning for her students.

 

"The reason 'out of the box' activities are important for our students is that they are able to take ownership of their own learning," Velardez said. "Our students had no problem researching someone who they found to be interesting to them, more importantly it was someone who made a difference in our world."