By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
MANSFIELD — Residents of Homestead at Mansfield received a friendly visit from third-grade versions of Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightingale and George Bush recently inside the clubhouse.
The renowned historical figures were played by 44 Mansfield Elementary School third-grade students acting for a traveling exhibit — Madame Mansfield’s Wax Museum.
Costumed students each took a turn at the microphone in front of a crowd of approximately 30 residents on March 20. The students outlined a brief historical autobiography of their characters’ lives, including when they were born and why they are famous, their outstanding accomplishments along with other interesting facts.
Linda Elliot, a third-grade teacher, said the wax museum was a project that combined several lessons, including researching, writing skills, speech-making, and how to properly take notes.
One by one, the living “wax figures” dressed in character would approach the microphone and give a brief speech. Afterward, the student made sure to “press the button” on right shoulder of the wax persona nearby, to start the next historical character’s speech.
“This program is one that the residents here are so receptive to,” Ms. Elliot said, as the members of the audience laughed uproariously with various characters, such as a young Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
She also said that this year is the second year in which the show has gone on the road, and it is crucial in getting the students prepared for speaking in front of an audience.
After presenting their speeches, the students were ready to be “wax sculptures” throughout the clubhouse ballroom, and Ms. Elliot encouraged visitors and guests to approach their favorite historical figure for an autograph.
The process of taking the project from history lesson to oral presentation was a lengthy one, said Ms. Elliot, but employed a lot of skill sets that are essential for the students.
“First they were given the genre of biography in their library class,” she said.
Next, the students were instructed how to go through the biography of their chosen figure to learn how to take efficient notes and how to summarize the main points of their chosen figures lives.
After summarizing their reports, they then practiced delivering the speech several times, in order to become confident in their public speaking abilities.
Third-grade teacher Carrie Kaczorowski said that for some students the oral reporting skills came easily. For others, she said, giving a speech was more challenging.
After getting outfitted to the look of the character, each student had scattered around the room and was ready to sign as many autographs as possible.
For Paul Revere (played by Devon Langer), the oral presentation came easily.
He said that in addition to school, he takes acting lessons, which helped him out when he had to speak in front of the Homestead audience.
For resident Marie Conte, seeing one wax figure in particular — Amelia Earhart — brought back memories.
“I remember when my daughter was Amelia Earhart some 19 years ago,” Ms. Conte said as she waited for Theodore Roosevelt’s autograph (portrayed by Trevor Robbins).
Some students thought that studying the historical figure’s influence on society at the time in which he or she lived was the most rewarding part of the wax museum experience.
For Florence Nightingale, played by third-grader Nia Watson, this was learning how the 19th century nurse had “helped a lot of soldiers and people.”
Spencer Sibert, sporting a white curly wig as Albert Einstein, said his favorite part of the project was “learning about the theory of relativity, and looking forward to someday exploring it.”
