Chautauqua Time

We just finished our biggest project of the year in 3rd grade. In the year 2,000 I started this project and had intended it to be on a much smaller scale than it is now. However, through the years it has become the signature project for 3rd grade. Starting about February, I introduce the children to many famous characters. I tell them why they have become famous and then I let the children pick their character. After they choose their person, they start reading about the person and learning why this person has been remembered throughout history. Each teacher in 3rd grade participates with their class. We talk about the difference between a celebrity and a hero. We want the children to understand what qualities makes their character a hero. We teach the children three songs about heroes and making the world a better place. After the children study and learn about their character they then begin to write a biography of their person but they do it in 1st person. At the end of their written report and their presentation, they step out of character and tell three characteristics that their character has that has made them a hero and give examples from the person's life to prove it.

After months of studying, and writing they are then to stand up and present in costume the life of this person. This year, as it is every year, I am amazed at how well these children perform, and how much they memorize. This last Tuesday, the 19th, we dressed in costume and presented out Chautauquas for the 2nd grade classes. The next day, on Wednesday, the parents were invited to come and listen to our presentations. After the performance, the whole 3rd grade has a luncheon. Each child brings a dish of food to share with the rest of the grade level. We always have plenty of food to eat and the children have a great time.

Here is a list of the characters and their presenters: Henry Ford portrayed by Jake Schlaf, Abraham Lincoln by Porter Abbott, Davy Crockett by Kyle Benson, Eleanor Roosevelt by Aria Messer, Betsy Ross by Aubrey Waite, Walt Disney by Carson Zobrist, Paul Revere by Vance Carson, Rosa Parks by Cheyenne Sullivan, Anne Frank by Shelbi Walker, Pocahontas by Mackenzie Ruff, Florence Nightingale by Sierra Harding, Benjamin Franklin by Justin Henderson, Thomas Edison by McKay Raban, Laura Ingalls Wilder by Emma Thompson, Amelia Earhart by Kessa Evans, Sacagawea by Sara Goodrich, George Washington by Tanner Johnson, Milton Hershey by Nathan Hicks, and Annie Oakley by Jesse Doty.


We have two group pictures to show off the whole group. I thought they turned out so cute. The last picture was a picture of my door. When I arrived at school, I was greeted by this cute door decoration. Thanks to all my wonderful parents for all they've done for me this year. I really don't think I would have had a life without them.