Our Living History Wax Museum
Thursday, March 4th, 2016
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Presented by the Hite Fifth Grade
Dear Fifth Grade Family:
The 5th graders are learning about famous Americans in all special area classes as well as
Social Studies during the next grading period. We are learning about important Americans
in the areas of science, industry, civil rights, medicine, and culture. Students are learning
research techniques in the Library and computer skills in the Computer Lab, and embarking
on an exciting project which will become a collaborative effort… Our Living History Wax
Museum!
Your child’s famous American is:______________________________________
The assignment is to select and research a famous American who had a significant impact
on our country’s history and development. We are requiring that students select someone
not currently living, who changed history, and/or made a significant contribution to
America.
At the conclusion of the research, students will present their findings in a format called The
Living History Wax Museum which will be held on March 4th. The students’ research is
due January 22nd and will then be put into an informative essay with sources cited due on
February 19th. This will be a third of their grade and will be written at school.
Information must be displayed on a tri-fold board, available to purchase at our school for
$3.00 or you may pick up your own.
A simple costume and/or props keeping in character with the famous American will be part
of the rubric for grading. We do not want students to spend lots of money on these costumes
and suggest borrowing from friends, a trip to Goodwill, etc. as a way to find costume
supplies. Mrs. Raddish does have some costume props that could be given to students who
need assistance.
Students will also be required to make an oral presentation, a first-person speech as their
chosen American, approximately one to two minutes in length. The information presented
must be in the student’s own words and sources must be cited. Be creative and have fun
finding clothing and props that represent the chosen American. At 1:30 p.m. on March
4th, students will “perform” in character as their historic American in our wax museum.
Parents will be invited to visit!
The following websites are available to assist students in preparation for this event:
http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/
http://www.americaninventor.com/
http:us.history.wiscedu/hist102/bios/bios.html
www.biography.com
Louisville Free Public Library databases:
http.//www.lfpl.org/research/Subjects/BiographicalGenealogyRemote.asp
Assessments for this project will be included in your child’s writing grade for the third
grading period. Much of the research must be done from home, although time will also be
allowed during school. A flash drive would be helpful to collect and organize the research,
but is not required. A copy of the assignment and scoring rubric is attached. The project is
aligned with Common Core Standards in English/Language Arts, including research skills,
speaking and listening skills, and writing, as well as Program Review requirements in Arts
and Humanities and Writing.
Thank you in advance for your support in helping your child with this project. We look
forward to seeing you at the Living Wax Museum!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Becker
Mrs. Young
Mrs. Raddish