By Alesia Hilton
Principal of Griffith Elementary School
Starting with a line stretching all the way into the
parking lot and ending with a savory hot dog dinner, Griffith Elementary
School’s Black History Month-themed Wax Museum was, without a doubt, an
unbridled success. Students spent the
month of February selecting, researching, and ultimately “becoming” a famous
African-American for the night.
This required much time and preparation on all fronts;
students in grades third through fifth spent time practicing digital literacy
skills through the use of Discovery Education, the NCWiseOwl database, and the
Britannica Schools online encyclopedia. They worked with traditional media in
the form of biographies and history texts related to their research figure.
They looked into modes of dress during their chosen time period, picked out
props, and then got ready for their big night. Meanwhile, grades kindergarten
through second perfected songs and skits to be performed for parents. Teachers
set up their classrooms for best foot-traffic flow throughout the night, and,
with excitement buzzing in the air, everyone waited breathlessly for the big
show.
In addition to being an excellent opportunity for
students to improve their digital literacy skills and increase diversity
awareness, students also used this event as an opportunity to raise money for
their school. During the night, students stood frozen in their classrooms,
ready to come alive when visitors added change to (often overflowing) cups.
Smiles abounded as parents watched ‘Rosa Parks’, ‘Jackie Robinson’, and even
‘Barack Obama’ himself explain their pasts and how they made impacts on the
world. The funds generated from this event will be used to purchase
instructional supplies designed to increase the school’s ability to provide
literacy and technology support to all students.
In response to being asked her opinion of the night,
Citlaly, a fifth-grade student, responded, “My favorite part was that we could
say our speeches to people who came to visit us. It’s sort of amazing that so
many people came out. I felt really good because we got to earn money so the
school could buy the stuff we need.”
In the diverse environment of Griffith Elementary,
teachers work hard to promote tolerance, acceptance, and a deep knowledge of a
world outside of students’ personal experiences. The students genuinely care
about their community and jump at the opportunity to share their learning with
those around them, especially when they can make a positive impact in their school
as well. Throughout this project, students have shown growth of research
skills, increased understanding of history and social change, and
accountability for their educational institution and their community. This
school can be proud of the excellence its students demonstrate on a daily
basis.
With a house so full the greeters’ desk ran out of flyers
halfway through the line, and the gym had to be expanded to accommodate the
crowd. It is easy to see that, for all the support students wish to give their community,
their community is in turn ready to be supportive of them. This was a great
night for students, parents, and staff alike. Mrs. Hilton feels proud to work
with such a great staff of people who genuinely put students and parents first.
They give their love, time and energy to make this school come alive each and
every day.
