District 142 Foster Elementary Brings History to Life With a Living Museum

Fourth Grade Students (approximately 100) at Foster Elementary School (District 142) brought history to life with a Living Museum on April 2, 2015. Foster Elementary opened its doors to parents and family to experience a unique display of famous American historical and prominent figures. Each child, through research, essays, costumes and props transformed themselves into the historical/prominent character of their choice. Students — in the character of the historical/prominent figure — told the story of that person’s life, accomplishments, impact on history, and present day importance. Historical characters ranged from Thomas Edison, Susan B. Anthony, Neil Armstrong, Jane Addams, Sacagawea, Walt Disney, Georgia O’Keefe, Bill Gates, and other famous athletes, performers, and authors.

Developed in the 2013/14 School Year as an extension of the Social Studies Civil Rights Curriculum, this year’s Living Museum expanded to include other curriculum areas. Foster Elementary’s 4th Grade Teachers Sherry Boswell, Anna Davis, Noelle Horbaczewski, and Karen Jacoby, helped students expand their historical investigations into cross-curricular areas of Writing, Social Studies, Language Arts, Art, and Technology. Students chose a curricular area of interest and identified an historical or current American figure who made a significant, positive impact in American society. Students conducted research in class and wrote a narrative biography of their character. The Living Museum brought together this research with live performances; each student, while role-playing, gave a short speech about their character’s life.

Many parents, family members, and other school personnel visited the Living Museum. Foster Elementary’s 4th Grade Students rose to the occasion, staying in character and delivering their speeches in a dynamic way; making history come to life.

For more information, please contact Susan Arvesen at (708) 687-3334.

Susan Arvesen

Forest Ridge School District 142

15000 S. Laramie Avenue

Oak Forest, IL 60452

(708) 687-3334

www.d142.org

sarvesen@d142.org