Life stories
Students research historical figures, bring them to life
They’re much more lifelike than the figures at Madame Tussaud’s.
On Wednesday Grade 3 students at A.G. Baillie Memorial School dressed as replicas of famous Canadians, as if they were on display at the famous wax museum.
The students created posters about their chosen subject, including specific things they had to research such as early years and accomplishments.
Standing still beside their poster, as visitors approached each “wax figure,” they pushed a button. “Once the visitor pushes the button, they have a three-sentence speech prepared and then they’re frozen again,” said teacher Jennifer MacMillan.
Forty-eight students in two classes participated in the project, with parents and other students visiting the school’s Great Canadian Wax Museum to learn about people who made significant contributions to the country.
MacMillan said the students previously showed their work to parents during a student-led conference, and it was so well received, it was decided to let all the students in the school visit the wax museum. “They were really excited – they thought it was awesome.”
Heather Coulter’s class also participated, and she said research is an outcome for Grade 3 students. The two teachers thought since Canada’s 150th birthday is being celebrated, it was fitting to do the project this year.
She said they will “absolutely” do it again next year because of the enthusiasm shown by all the students. “Some Grade 2 students are asking if we’re doing it again next year.”
MacMillan got the idea from a unit that she bought and adapted as an enrichment project.
“They loved learning about people they’ve never heard of who had an impact on the country and our culture,” she said.
Avery Cohen chose E. Pauline Johnson as her subject – a poet, performer and writer who was the first indigenous poet to have work published. “I chose Pauline Johnson because I wanted to learn about her culture because she was First Nations,” said Cohen, adding that she hadn’t heard of Johnson before the project.
“I wanted to learn more about how she wrote her books and what made her want to write the books.”
Kiera Sims picked swimmer Elaine Tanner, because as a member of the Pictou County Mariners swim team herself, she wanted to learn more about swimming. Tanner was the first woman to win four gold medals and three silver medals in the Commonwealth Games. Sims said she learned “that you should follow your dream, don’t quit.”
Ella Struthers would like to be a scientist like Elizabeth Stern and study new things. That’s why she researched the scientist and doctor famous for helping to discover a treatment for cancer. “I’m interested in science and I’m interested in doctors,” said Struthers. “What I didn’t know is that she helped doctors find a breakthrough in women’s cancer, so that was pretty neat.”
COVER PHOTO BY CAROL DUNN
For her project as part of the Great-Canadian Wax Museum, Kalie Cameron chose to research Hope Swinimer, a Nova Scotian who helps injured wild animals at her rehab centre, Hope for Wildlife. She's shown telling fellow student Anishka Anand about Swinimer.