Wax Museum Project
The ninth annual Wax Museum is a historical project undertaken by fourth grade students. They learn to
write a biographical essay about a famous person in history. These people are chosen because they have
influenced American history in a significant way. They are often famous for the same reason the student
wants to become famous when they grow up.
The students learn to organize and complete a multi-source research project using web resources and
books. They will compile their findings into a biographical essay and into a museum-style exhibit. The
students research the clothing their character would wear while doing their major work and try to recreate
it using whatever resources necessary. Students will work on the research and essay at school and home.
The final steps include writing the speech, a short oral description of their character and of their
importance. Then the students will stand as a wax figure and recite their speech. All fourth grade classes
in the school will be invited to attend a showing of the Wax Museum, as well as the parents and families
of the "Wax Cast". The due date will be Thursday, May 14 (8:00-8:45 AM in the SBE Cafeteria). This
is a project students will remember for the rest of their lives!!
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The following is a list of guidelines for this project:
1. Students will choose a historical figure.
2. Students will locate sources containing information about their famous person. Students will use the
internet for their research. We have lists of websites for some historical figures. However, they can
choose to research further into other sites or books. They will need to keep a bibliography (reference page) of
their sources.
3. Students should locate information concerning their famous person's date of birth, childhood, family,
education, adult life, and date of death, which they record on the biography graphic organizer. All of
the directions are on this organizer. This four paragraph essay can be handwritten or typed in first
person. Students will use the information from their essay to create their short speech.
4. Students will develop a short speech, in first person, using material from their essay. In other words,
when they give the speech, they become their famous person and speak with words such as “I did
this....” It does not have to be long (they are not memorizing the essay). I just want my students to
explain who their famous person is just as comfortably as they would be telling someone about
themselves. They should include an introduction, information about their subject, and a conclusion
which states why their subject is remembered by people today. Students may use index cards to help
them practice at home. However, they will memorize the speech so they can tell it easily for the
museum.
5. Students will present their speech for the class and at our fourth grade wax museum. Each student will
be a figure in a wax museum with a “press here” button (created in class) and give his or her speech
when the button is pressed. In other words, people will come by at random (just as in an actual
museum) and press the red button next to a “wax person.” At this time, the person will give their
speech and return to a frozen “wax”position. Everyone will be giving their speeches at the same time to
whomever is standing in front of them pressing the button. It is not an individual “all eyes on me”
event. This should calm the fears of students and it could get a little noisy in the process.
6. Students will dress up as the historical figure. This costume, like the speech, should accurately
convey information about the subject and the time period in which they lived. The costume does not
have to be purchased, because it can be created with objects found in your family closets. This is a time
to use your creativity! Before the big day, I will be showing my students pictures of my former students
dressed in their Wax Museum costumes. They could also get ideas from this.
7. Students receive a grade for their speech, costume, and four-paragraph written paper. See rubric.