Presidents make an appearance at FLE
Fifth grade students participate in President's Parade
By Michelle Brown, student journalist
March 08, 2010
Research for the 5th grade President’s Day Parade began in November in the elementary computer lab with students creating power-points of their presidents and first ladies. Every president position gets filled, then extra girls fill the position for first ladies. Students presented their information in the middle gym on Feb. 26.
Information ranged from birth date to death date to time spent in the White House. Fun facts about the president or first lady always add to the presentation.
“The students always like the fun facts the most such as President Taft was so large that he got stuck in his bathtub or the president and first lady who had electricity installed in the White House, but they were both afraid to turn the lights on,” said Phyllis Smith, fifth grade teacher and President’s Parade co-ordinator.
Look for pictures of the event later in the month.
After research in the computer labs, student moved on into the Social Studies class where they found fun facts and more information. The reports cover many of the standards for both English and Social Studies. The students first wrote reports covering their information. The reports were turned into oral presentations, without notes during Social Studies class. To add to the oral presentation, costumes were added.
Smith started this event 13 years ago.
“The students use to go from class to class to present their information about their president. As the size of the classes grew, we were able to include First Ladies in our performance. The size of our audience has grown each year, too. Starting three years ago, we started inviting the entire elementary. The parents and other relatives were invited also,” said Smith.
According to Smith, the bleachers were completely full and they even had some students sitting on the floor to watch.
“Each year I am amazed at the costumes that the students come up with. Some of the best costumes have actually come out of the closets of their parents. The more creative are the better,” said Smith.
