Learning history at the wax museum

Apparently procrastination is a lesson I have taught my kids well. (Of all the lessons they could learn. *sigh*) Late last night, well past bedtime, Skyler & Spencer let us know they were having a wax museum at school the next day and wanted us to be there. I didn’t really know what they heck they meant by “wax museum” but they seemed pretty excited. So I figured I better clear my schedule and make sure I was there.

Over lunch today Lee and I headed to the school to find out what was up with all this wax museum talk. We found the kids lined up in the hallways with, well, like this…

Each of the third graders chose a hero to represent. They researched their hero and wrote a paper on him or her. Then they memorized their papers and presented them at the wax museum. They each had a “push me” button. You were to walk up to each child, push their button, and they would give their speech. It was really very cute. What a great way to get kids interested in learning about people in history.

We saw everybody from Barack Obama to Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Franklin, FDR, Abe Lincoln, Helen Keller, Jackie Robinson and more. (Actually lots and lots of Jackie Robinsons.) Skyler was George Washington. And Spencer was Ray Charles.

They talk pretty quickly so if you didn’t catch everything….

Skyler said:

My name is George Washington. I was born February 22, 1732 in Virginia. I died December 14, 1799 at age 67 because I was very ill. My occupation was surveying land in Virginia, becoming a general and becoming the first President of the United States. I am a hero for many reasons. I was brave because I joined the army knowing I could have died. My worthwhile achievement was writing the Constitution with other colonists. If I never lived the United States may not exist.

Spencer said:

I am Ray Charles and I am a hero. I am a famous musician. I was brave because I never let the color of my skin or my blindness stop me. I never took no for an answer. I was inspirational when I learned to read and write in braille. I traveled across the entire United States playing my music. If I’d never lived there wouldn’t be the hit jazz songs that are still popular today. I am a hero.

And just for fun I threw in a blooper take at the end.

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