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Third-Graders of Amsterdam School Create a Living Wax Museum

Significant figures in history, past and present were brought to life by the third graders of Amsterdam School.

Shhhh!  Quiet at the museum!  There is a lot of history to explore!  

And if you listen carefully, you will be able to hear Cleopatra speaking about her life, or possibly Sarah Palin about her campaign.  Well, sort of.

For the fourth year, Amsterdam Elementary School's third graders embodied historical figures of the past and present in a living “wax museum” exhibit. Students dressed up as a person of significance in history, and remained ‘frozen’, until they were ‘activated’ to come to life—when a red button in front of them was touched.    

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Once ‘activated’, historical figure the student played recited a short speech about his or her life and/or demonstrated a key skill that personified them, such as a song or dance.

The interactive concept, conceived by the third grade teachers of the school, is a good lesson in cross-curriculum, said third grade teachers Lois Moak and Barbara Vitanza. 

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“The children do timelines in the computer room and use a variety of resources.  They have to find events in the person’s life and it is also great for public speaking,” said Moak.   

It could also be a good lesson in planning and time management.  Students started preparing for the exhibit several months in advance.  Beginning in January of this year, students had to pick a person of significance in history, such as a scientist, musician, or politician, and research their life.  They then had to create a timeline of significant events, a poster of biographical facts, and compose and memorize a short speech that they could recite once ‘activated’. 

For the day of the exhibit, students had to dress up as their historical figure and bring in appropriate props. 

For student Katie Heck, who embodied Cleopatra, her favorite part was finding the props.  Her favorite prop was a piece of artwork done on papyrus that she got from her mom, Wendy, an art teacher at a neighboring school who happens to teach a lesson on Egyptian art.  Katie chose Cleopatra because she is fascinated by ancient Egyptian things, she said. 

Parents were an important part of the assignment, since part of the project was done in school and part at home. 

“Parents are really involved,” said Moak.  “And that is important.” 

Diana Trybulski, whose son Christopher embodied composer John Williams, was impressed by the entire assignment. 

“It’s amazing,” she said.  “The costumes, the preparation.  They really put a lot of work into it.” 

She was disappointed that the school didn’t have this assignment when her older son attended the school, but glad he got to be involved this time by helping his younger brother get a keyboard for the exhibit and practice the Indiana Jones theme song, she said. 

For Raymond and Wendy Heck, parents of Katie, aka Cleopatra, they were surprised by the magnitude of the assignment. 

“The kids really put a lot of time and effort into it,” they said. 

“And I was surprised by the diversity of the characters – from Sarah Palin to George Washington,” Raymond Heck added.

He also thought it was very challenging for each third grader to stay in character for the entire hour. 

The students not only showcased the exhibit to the public and parents, they also had to put on the exhibit the following day for the entire school.  And each student was also given a grade for their effort, since despite all the fun and dress up, this was still an assignment. 

Albeit, an assignment that is likely a win-win in learning for all involved.

 “I think this is the epitome of good learning and good teaching," School Principal MaryAnn Mullady said.

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