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TFS Fourth-graders Bring Historical Figures To Life at the Second Annual Wax Museum

Tallulah Falls School fourth-grade classes transformed the middle school lobby into a wax museum featuring characters from American history. Parents and students had the opportunity to visit these "wax figures," who came to life and shared stories about their lives and their significance to American history. 

Each wax figure showcased students' immense effort in research, writing, speech preparation, memorization, and presentation. 
Amelia Earhart, Babe Ruth, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, Benjamin Franklin, Marie Curie, and Sacajawea were among the characters who captivated visitors with their stories. "It was a fun setting, preparing them for future projects where they will give class presentations or speeches. It was such an immersive and informative experience," said fourth-grade parent Lindsay Hatcher. 

Shepherd Tatum of Mount Airy was fascinated by everything he learned about Benjamin Franklin. "I didn't realize he was an inventor," he said. "He was the first to figure out electricity."  

Students diligently practiced a detailed speech, which they shared with families and students. "To learn it, we just had to repeat it over and over again in our brains," said fourth grader Jon Lovvorn of Cornelia. Anna Norris of Cleveland was proud of how she got through saying her speech to students and parents.

For Sophie Christensen of Toccoa, it was the first time she had ever memorized a speech. Even though it was hard, she could do it. "I learned that I could just look at the wall past the audience to stay focused," she said. "And it was good to get a good night's sleep the night before." 

Fourth-grade teacher Sandy Crenshaw remarked on how incredible it is to see how the students grow through the process. "Guiding them through their research, planning, writing their research paper, writing and memorizing a 2-3 minute speech, and bringing it all together as a culminating event is so rewarding. They proved to themselves that they are capable and enjoyed the challenge."

Fourth-grader Stella Hatcher has advice for the incoming fourth-graders who will create the wax museum next year. "Don't be scared," she said. "After sharing your speech with the first two people, you won't be nervous anymore."