The 2nd grade recently visited the National Liberty Museum as part of their study of courageous African American heroes.
In January, students started examining the idea of courage, since Courage is the January Stripe of the month.
"Through these discussions, we then looked at the lives of Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," explained 2nd grade teacher Catherine Hicks. "The students identified how these two heroes demonstrated courage and then began to examine the concept of courage in their own lives." Students have also been researching heroes and are working on scrapbooks about heroes they are interested in learning more about.
"The students learned about heroes from around the world. They learned that heroes can do big courageous things and even little courageous things that have an impact on the world," shared Ms. Hicks.
During their visit, students especially enjoyed learning about the replica of the Liberty Bell. It was made by the same company in England that made the original Liberty Bell. "They laughed when they learned that the replica was made correctly so that it wouldn't crack like the original Liberty Bell did," said Ms. Hicks.
"I thought it was pretty cool because we got to hear the ring of a copy of the Liberty Bell. It was made of the same mold as the actual Liberty Bell," said 2nd grader Vivian.
Students learned about Nobel Prize Winner Wengari Maathai and her efforts in Kenya on environmental change. In the Flame Gallery, the students were a part of a multi-media exhibit that incorporated images of heroes along with their inspirational words.
"We learned how we can show liberty to others. We can help others to make the world a better place," said Vivian.
