By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO–Famous people in American history came to life Monday, April 18, at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School. Whenever a visitor dropped a ticket into a cup, third grade pupils from two classes, who had been standing uncommonly still, transformed themselves from imitation wax figures to animated characters from the nation’s past and present.
One lad, wearing a wig and tri-cornered hat told his audience: “Welcome everyone. If you could not tell, I’m George Washington. I was the first President of the United States. I led the American army into the French & Indian and the Revolutionary Wars. I have my face on the one dollar bill and the quarter. Thank you for seeing me. I will see you again in 1790.”
Other pupils had similarly short but interesting speeches that they wrote themselves after studying about their characters.
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Abigail Adams were among 18th century figures who fascinated the pupils. Because some historic figures were picked by members of both classes, there were duplications. Teachers wisely placed actors playing the same part in widely separated groupings.
Franklin said: “I’m a great inventor. I invented the lightning rod. I also signed the United States Constitution and I helped write the Declaration of Independence. Did you know I lived from 1706 until 1790 and died at the age of 84?” Abigail Adams informed that “I helped change opinion on the power women can have. During the Revolutionary War, I gave women a place to stay. I made soap and I spun cloth. My farm was losing money so John sent ribbons, tea, cloth, and dishes.” Thomas Jefferson said he was “known for writing the Declaration of Independence {and} for being President. When I retired from being President, I went home with my family to spend time with them.”
Among 19th century were David Crockett, “a great pioneer and storyteller. I died defending the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Did you know I became great at hunting bears?” Abraham Lincoln told us “one of my most important achievements was I freed slaves. Another of my important achievements was I received my law diploma. Did you know that I had three sons?”
Helen Keller, born in 1880, was according to her interpreter “one of the first blind and deaf girls to complete college. I wrote the book The Story of My Life. You may have heard of it. What you may not know is that I met the famous Alexander Graham Bell.”
Twentieth century figures included Martin Luther King Jr: “I am a good guy. I made peace with black and white people and got awarded the Nobel Peace Prize;” and Rosa Parks: “I was one of the people to save African Americans from the awful way they were treated. I got my high school diploma which not that many African Americans got. Did you know that a white boy on roller skates pushed me when I was young so I got up and pushed him back. Then his mom told me I could go to jail. I was sad.”
Air and space fascinated the third graders. Orville Wright: “I am known for making the first plane. Another achievement that I had was that I flew across America. Did you know that when my brother got injured, I helped him recover?” Amelia Earhart: “I tried to fly around the world. I also flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Did you know the first time I flew across the Atlantic Ocean, I was basically just a passenger?” Neil Armstrong: “I was the first person on the moon. I went in the Apollo 11. I had a daughter who died.” Sally Ride: “I am the first American woman to go to space.”
And who can forget computers? Bill Gates: “I am known for creating Microsoft and creating the first personal computer. I was a millionaire at the age of 33.”
Teacher Carrie Lane said that students dressing up as their characters was the school’s idea. But coming to life after only after a ticket was dropped into a cup was the students’ idea.
Lane said because students portrayed the historic figures, and not simply read about them, they are more likely to remember and identify with those characters in the future.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the U.S.)