Second grade classes in Clarendon School in Secaucus staged a “Living Wax Museum” on April 13 in their gymnasium. Each student dressed up as a historically significant person and stood like a statue. Parents and guests had to step on a circular paper disk on the ground to “power on” the students.
When they did so, the statues came to life, reading their autobiographies and answering questions.
“An enjoyable multi-discipline experience [that] unified history, science, and the reading, writing, and speaking skills.” – Superintendent Kenneth Knops
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Parents, faculty, and guests asked questions after the students recited their autobiography. Most parents were surprised by the students’ knowledge and ability to stay in character.
Superintendent Kenneth Knops described the project as “an enjoyable multi-discipline experience [that] unified history, science, and the reading, writing, and speaking skills.” These skills are part of Clarendon School’s Language Arts Program.
Second grade teachers Karen Barna, Annett Zych, Anna Mongiello, and Kerry Goldsack graded students based on a rubric for their writing, historical facts, and presentation.
Clarendon principal Steve Viggiani said, “It was such a great project because it involves teachers and parents. The great part was all the parents that came.”