BY AMANDA PEVEY
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTOS FROM PAYTON ROBERTSON, WES
Payton Robertson, 2nd grade teacher for Wetumpka Elementary School, hosted a live Biography Museum on Friday, February 25th. Robertson’s classroom has a total of 17 students. In attendance were other classes from the school, parents, grandparents, siblings, counselors, Principal of Wetumpka Elementary School, Gigi Hankins and the Speech Language Pathologist Kelley Fuller.
A live biography museum consists of the students dressed up as a famous person in history and they wrote a biography about that person. These amazing students completed a biography essay of their famous person, made posters, had a speech prepared, and made astonishing costumes at home to present during the museum.
Robertson, spoke to EAN saying, “Each student worked for many weeks researching famous people in history and their importance. Each year I challenge my students to push their learning outside of their comfort zone. This project has always been a favorite. My students work for weeks preparing for this project, and they also get to choose who their famous person is as well.”
Students learn about the early life, family, hardships, importance, and impact of the person they selected. They take this research to the next step by completing their live biography. In order for this project to work, students create posters that serve as a backdrop. On the posters there are pictures, facts, and important information.
“I love this part of the project because it serves as a connection from home to school and really allows parents to see their child’s learning. The students also write a speech that allows them to become their person,” Robertson said. “They practice this speech for weeks leading up to the big event. A lot of my students have to really push themselves for this project. They have to work through fears, practice confidence, and poise. They truly amaze me with their determination every year.”
This is Robertson’s third year for the project with her classes. She said each year it continues to get better.
“These kids are truly amazing and I am blessed to be their teacher. Each day they impact my life and I can only hope these learning experiences impact theirs, too,” said Robertson.
Robertson spoke to a few students in her classroom about their favorite part of the project. One student said, “I loved dressing up as Princess Diana, and I was so happy that my family came too.”
Another student dressed up as Orville Wright, and his favorite part of his project was the poster. “I got to make it at my house and my family got to help me. I also loved my speech because it made me feel confident.”
Michelle Obama, Pocahontas, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, George Washington, Jackie Robinson, Mother Teresa, Princess Diana, and Orville Wright are some of the famous people that the students portrayed and studied for the project.
“The (living) wax museum is a confidence building experience for the students. It was evident that students took pride in their work, costumes, and presentations. Listening to the students talk about their famous American brought a big smile to my face, as I know that public speaking will lead them into more confident, expressive adults. This was a positive opportunity for each student to shine and learn a little history too. I look forward to this event each year,” said Kelley Fuller, Speech Language Pathologist for Wetumpka Elementary School.
For more information about Wetumpka Elementary School, please visit their website at: https://wetumpkaelemelmoreal.schoolinsites.com or Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/WetumpkaElementary.com.
