By Alisha McDarris
Record Herald Writer
Spelling tests and dioramas aren’t the only things occupying students’ time in the second grade classes at Milton Union Elementary. Last week the students got to dress up and present their hard work in the culmination of a much anticipated research project.
Each student got to choose a famous individual from a list compiled by second grade teacher Chris Yanity. The students then hit the books and (with the help of parents) typed up a brief biography of their assigned persona. But the most fun part of the project was last week when the students got to don costumes acquired by a grant and read their papers in front of classmates, friends, and family who were all invited to join in the excitement.
“It’s a project that lets parents get involved with the report writing,” Yanity said. “And there was a really good crowd today.”
Indeed, parents with camcorders and point-and-shoots overflowed into the hallway to watch their kids present. Even some siblings were granted permission to skip out of their normal classes to come watch the fun.
The kids took their turns at the mic, in front of the mural they had created for the event, and tested their public speaking skills as they gave facts about famous individuals dear to Americans such as Sacajawea, John Deere, Clara Barton, the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart and Michael Jackson. After the biographies, the students sang a handful of patriotic tunes to their attentive crowd that they had learned from music teacher Dee Earl and even gave a test to their audience at the end of the program to make sure everyone was paying attention.
Yanity started the trend over 10 years ago that has now spread across the entire second grade. She loves the practical applications of this project.
“They learned a lot about history and the historical timeline and how to research and speak in front of a group. They did a fantastic job.”
The kids had a blast, too.
“I had fun, but I was nervous. But I’ve been looking forward to dressing up for a month!” Mackenzie Everett, who was Jane Goodall for the afternoon, exclaimed.
“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had a school,” Malia Johns, who was still dressed as Helen Keller, agreed.
Any project that gets kids excited about school is a good thing.
Editors Note: Pictures taken by Kathy McDermott Goodman of MiltonNews DAILY are of Mrs. Aldridge/Mrs. Grothaus’ class from their May 4th presentation.
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