Dobbins students become historical figures

By EARTHA TERRELL

eterrell@vindy.com

Third-grade students at Dobbins Elementary School got the chance to be adults for a day during the school’s Wax Museum May 18.

Students dressed as historic figures, such as Neil Armstrong, Betsy Ross and the Wright Brothers. They wrote 30-minute speeches about what they learned and recited it for their parents and teachers.

“Students research people in history and write a report in the third person,” said third-grade teacher Marlene Booher.

Students are then required to transfer their reports into first-person speeches. The event, which included both Booher and Debbie Patsko’s third–grade classes, was part of a year-long learning experience with the goal of students combining what they have learned for a final project.

“It’s a cumulative experience for students where they combine the skills they have learned all year to create a final speech,” Booher said.

Booher and Patsko were trying to enhance were students’ ability to paraphrase, research effectively and speak in public.

Because public speaking can be intimidating for anyone, students were initially apprehensive.

“They’re nervous at first and ask a lot of questions,” Booher said.

Students’ nervousness eventually faded and, according to Booher, with support from their parents they became more confident in themselves.

“It’s real emotional. It makes teaching worthwhile,” Booher said.