Fourth Grade Students Explore History Through Wax Museum

The Princeville Grade School Wax Museum project highlights various notable figures from history. Fourth grade students dedicate slightly over a month to this engaging project. Each student selects a historical figure, conducts research by reading a book about them, and learns to gather and synthesize information from different sources. Students then create a research page, prepare a speech using a provided template, and design a display board at home. Additionally, each student has the opportunity to design a button and dress up as their chosen character for the museum event.

Students choose their historical figure from a curated master list prepared by the teachers, which has been refined and updated over time. To provide background knowledge, brief summaries or headlines about each person are shared with the students. Following the selection, students have the option to trade figures with classmates or choose from additional options to ensure they are invested in their chosen historical figure. The master list comprises famous individuals with content deemed appropriate for fourth graders to research and learn about.

The primary objectives of this project include engaging students with non-fiction texts, teaching research skills and note-taking, demonstrating various methods of organizing information (speech, board setups, etc.), and honing public speaking skills. Throughout their research, the primary question students focus on is: Why was this person significant in history?

The wax figures portrayed in the museum range from former presidents, scientists, and famous athletes to inventors and more. This project is one that fourth graders fondly recall, and the participation of other students and families in visiting the museum to appreciate everyone's hard work is deeply valued.

Here are some intriguing facts that students have discovered:

• Rosa Parks received a marriage proposal from her husband on their second date.

• Anne Frank was a member of a ping pong club.

• Andrew Jackson tragically lost his entire family to illness at the age of 14.

• Apart from creating the first American flag, Betsy Ross also contributed to its design.

• Jackie Robinson was honored with a U.S. postal stamp.