Gina Peery, Wilson Elementary School, Payson, UT

TEA AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Appropriate for grade 5.

OVERVIEW:  This activity is a good one to increase interest in
historical characters.  United States history is stressed in 5th
grade social studies curriculum.  This activity helps with
knowledge and understanding of the people who affected this
history.

PURPOSE:  Many subjects are enhanced through this activity.  Not
only are the students learning about famous historical people -
they are also learning valuable research and writing skills,
memorization techniques, social skills, and creativity.

OBJECTIVES:  At the conclusion of this activity the students will
be able to demonstrate the following:

 1.  Knowledge of a famous person from history.

 2.  How to write a research paper and then simplify it into a
     speech.

 3.  How to memorize a speech and deliver it to an audience.

ACTIVITIES:  Each student chooses a person from history (example: 
Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightingale, etc.). 
The students should then do research for information on the
person.  Providing an outline will help to direct the research.

Example Outline:

      a.  When & Where Born
      b.  Family Life (married, parents, children, etc.)
      c.  Physical Characteristics
      d.  What Made Them Famous
      e.  Death
      f.  Any Other Interesting Information

When the reports are finished, instruct the students that they are
going to pretend to be that famous person for one afternoon.  They
must invent a costume and stand in front of the group and tell
their life story.  The teacher will have to help them condense the
research into a short speech.  The speech should be in the First
Person ("I was born....", "I was famous for....").  Then give them
time to memorize it.  

When all is ready, invite the parents to come to your
presentation.  On the day of your program, have each student in
turn stand in front of the group in costume and recite their
speech.  When all students have taken part, serve refreshments!

RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED:  None.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Both students and parents enjoy this
activity.  I like to make it more exciting by having the students
not identify their character.  I then have a contest with the
parents trying to identify the characters represented.  This makes
it more fun for all.  The title "Tea at the White House" comes
from the fact that we decorate our classes to represent the White
House.  What better place to have all of the famous historical
figures meet?  We try to stick with the theme and have very nice
refreshments.