MANSFIELD — The likenesses of Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Ben Franklin, and Sacagawea came to Eastview Elementary School to help teach students about United States history on Friday.
Christine Vermillion, the school’s fourth grade reading teacher created a project hoping to increase her students’ learning by increasing their imagination.
For the assignment, her students were required to research historical figures, write their obituary and present information to parents, teachers, and other Eastview students.
“(I chose Harriet Tubman) because she is a very iconic heroine. She is very important part of this country’s history. Also I am very interested in the civil rights movement and the freeing of slaves, so I thought she would be a very interesting character to be,” fourth-grader Layla Azmoun, said at the presentation.
The students wore garb representing their character from the 1700 and 1800’s, which Vermillion said parents helped the fourth-grade class find.
Students were able to be creative with their presentations beyond the clothing: Layla held a candle to help lead slaves through the Underground Railroad as she was frozen in time between speeches where her character came to life.
Another student, Justin Gibson, spoke with a Tennessee accent while portraying Davey Crockett, and donning a coonskin cap.
“The kids did awesome,” Vermillion said. “They’ve really learned a lot and I am really excited to see how well they are presenting.”
Layla said she enjoyed being able to act as Tubman because of her significance to the American black culture. `
“I enjoyed the project very much. I already knew quite a bit about her, and I hope every one enjoyed it,” Layla said.
