“They learn about turning text into first-person narratives,” Colgate said. “That’s pretty intelligent thinking for a second-grader.”
While teachers in the four participating classrooms had to set some limits — how many Taylor Swifts does a wax museum need, anyway — the children chose a wide variety of historical figures from politics, sports and show business. Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were there, as were Little Richard, Elvis, Albert Einstein, Dolly Parton, Jane Goodall, several Pocahontases and Sacagaweas, and Ruby Bridges, the first black girl to enroll in an all-white school in New Orleans, presented by Jasmine Westendorf.
Ethan Mills was probably the only participating student who had the privilege of portraying a person he had actually met in person: Joe Nuxhall.
“He was a really famous guy who played for the Reds,” he said, and his exhibition included an autographed photo to prove it.
Their choice of characters often revealed a lot about the students, Colgate said. One girl was so impressed by a Colonial Day activity earlier in the year that she chose Betsy Ross.
According to teacher Anne McEldowney, a follow-up activity will include a trip to the Cincinnati Children’s Museum.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.
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