Black History “Comes to Life” At Roosevelt Elementary School
On the afternoon of March 22, famous African Americans stepped out of the pages of history and visited Roosevelt Elementary School. Their goal was to educate staff, as well as students and their families, about famous African Americans that have helped to change our country’s history.
This is the sixth year that Roosevelt’s fourth grade students have put on the “Blacks in Wax” program. It is a culminating activity that students participate in after a month of researching an African American of their choosing as part of their Black History Project. The criteria of the project required the students to create a digital time line, write a research report and speech, as well as create a picture motif of their person. The cross-curricular project was overseen by four of Roosevelt’s teachers: Mr. Seidel, Mr. Veston, Mrs. Dicupe, and Mrs. Horiates. Working together, the teachers ensured that the students had ample time to do research and complete each part of their project. Students were also given time to practice their speeches at school and were given assistance with designing a costume that depicted what their person looks like.
Standing as if they were wax figures in a museum, the students would “come to life” whenever a museum visitor touched their “press here” button. Each student would recite their speech from memory, telling the visitor significant information such as when and where their person was born and important accomplishments he or she achieved in their lifetime. The museum included notable people such as actress Lena Horne, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and author Alex Haley.
There was a buzz of excitement in the air as students, parents, and teachers visited the museum. The program even drew the attention of Math Supervisor Phyllis Plasky and Language Arts Supervisor Lori Massey. Mrs. Massey commented on how impressed she was the students’ overall presentation. The students made good eye contact and spoke clearly with no hesitations. It was an unforgettable experience for all who attended.
