4th Graders bring history to life with annual Living Museum

Elvis was in the building this week (more specifically, the Chapel). Helen Keller was there, too. As was Amelia Earhart and Lucille Ball.

As were a host of other significant figures in American history as the 4th Grade Living Museum was this week.

At least 35 years old, the annual Living Museum is one of the hallmark moments for Holland Hall middle schoolers.

This year, 60 students delivered biographical speeches in front of their parents inside the Chapel on the Holland Hall campus.

This was the culminating project for the Middle School biography unit. Students picked their subjects, did the research, learned how to determine important information from that research material and crafted a speech from that information. They dressed in costume as their subject and delivered a biographical speech in first person.

Although you couldn’t tell, Maisy was very nervous to speak in front of others but did an awesome job as Lucile Ball.

“I just looked at my mom and dad the whole time,” she said. “I think this was fun. I like to read books and everything.”

Karter is more of a OKC Thunder fan, but wanted to pick a sports figure, and he delivered a self-assured speech as pro basketball player Steph Curry.

Eli delivered a confident performance as Apple founder Steve Jobs.

“It’s nice to learn about history and have fun reading,” Eli said.

Riley’s Elvis costume was on point, complete with the hair, the sunglasses and the jumpsuit. Riley closed his speech with Elvis’ iconic line: “Thank you, thank you very much.”

“I just think Rock ’n Roll is a really cool thing and he was the first one who really did it,” Riley said.

As far as him using Elvis’ signature line, Riley said, “My dad told me to and we watched some videos on Elvis.”

One student said the Living Museum is an “engaging journey through history.”

Indeed it was. Great job, 4th Grade.