Biography Projects Come Alive At Sandy Hook

By Tanjua Damon

They were as still as can be, just as if they were part of a wax museum, but the dressed up characters could talk only when their green “start” button was pressed.

Fifth grade students in Mrs Gramolini and Mr Myhill’s classes at Sandy Hook School became people who have affected history Friday during a character biography project. The students researched and developed their chosen person for three weeks and on Friday presented all they learned in a wax museum style atmosphere that the entire school community engaged in by listening to the accounts the fifth graders found about their figures.

Some of the “wax” figures were sports icons while others affected history or the economy. The students literally took on their chosen figure by dressing up in attire that fit the character or the time period, and many brought props to show what the person was about.

“This is a combined culmination of Read Across America, and the love of reading is ongoing and what we want to instill in our children,” Judie Mitten, reading consultant, said. “We really didn’t want to take away from our regular instruction time. Being effective readers, writers, and communicators are skills for their entire lifetime. We want them to view reading as a means of pleasure, but also as a means of learning.”

The biography project fits in with the school’s expectations of students in reading and writing as well as allowing them to learn about something more that interests them.

“The most important thing is this ties directly to our standards of reading and speaking,” Ms Mitten said. “They really did a nice job of choosing very different people.”

The first woman primatologist, Jane Goodall, interested Sara Pollock enough to do a bit more research. Sara put the research into action on Friday as she dressed in the same attire Ms Goodall would wear while working with chimpanzees.

“She was really just an interesting person to me,” Sara said. “She was in the news a lot. I thought it would be interesting to be her.”

Ian Doerr portrayed civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Ian dressed like the young Dr King as he told participants about his life trying to bring equality to all mankind. Ian was glad to be able to pass on information about Dr King.

“He was a great person. If he didn’t do what he did, it probably wouldn’t be like it is today,” he said. “He did a lot for everybody. I think it’s good because we all get to learn about someone and teach others about these people.”

Sandra Day O’Connor became a role model for women when she was appointed as the first woman to the United States Supreme Court. Her life inspired Megan Keenan to research more about the distinguished jurist.

“She was the first woman judge on the Supreme Court,” Megan said. “I want to be a judge when I grow up. I find it exciting.”

Louis Braille brought a new world to blind people by inventing the Braille alphabet so that people with no sight could read. Fifth grader Zach Pettengill researched about the inventor, who was blind himself.

“It was pretty interesting because even thought there weren’t many blind inventors, he was able to invent something when he was blind at fifteen,” Zach said. “He did a great job and made a big difference in the world.”

Marie Curie was the first woman scientist. She discovered radium and polonium. Janine Dubois also found out that Ms Curie was the first woman to receive a science doctorate.

“I had read a book about her before. I had just thought of her and wanted to learn more,” Janine said. “You can have whatever job you want to. You don’t have to do just what girls might do.”

Some students even researched people who affected the economy and entertainment business. Walt Disney interested Nick Petrovich. He brought in many Disney movies to show people what type of business and success Mr Disney achieved.

“He made movies because he liked to animate and draw,” Nick said. “He went bankrupt seven times, but he still kept trying.”

Automobile maker Henry Ford was also present at the wax museum thanks to Drew Gleacher.

“I’m kind of interested with things with motion. I like cars,” Drew said. “When he was seven, he tried to make a steam engine but it exploded.”

Elvis Presley even made an appearance. The singer made great stride for music during his career as a singer.

“I just thought it would be cool. He was the king of rock-n-roll,” Andrew Degenhardt said. “He sang his first song when he was five and he taught himself how to play the guitar. He was very poor growing up.”

This project adds to many skills that the students will continue to use throughout their education as well as in their day-to-day lives.

“It helps them build research skills, helps them learn about authors and about facts,” Kathy Gramolini, fifth grade teacher, said. “We encouraged black Americans for Black History Month, but we wanted them to chose people they were interested in. I think it was best that they picked. They floored me. They went a lot further with all the information.”