Did anyone else see George Washington in the 6th grade hall last week? I did. Pam Koury used a great costume and wig to energize her students in another fun and creative review activity for her students.
Mrs. Koury had just finished a poster project in which students created time lines based on historical themes. Students were given the task of developing pictures reflecting symbols of the United States, such as an Eagle, Rolling Hills, and a Train. The pictures used significant points on them to represent a sequence of thematic events in U.S. history. Students were put into groups and given choice to select themes and historic events associated with them. Students where highly engaged throughout the activity since they were able to work on themes of their personal interest. Of course, this activity reinforced many Lifelong Learning Skills and was a great way to incorporate art.
George Washington showed up about a week later. In the styling of mystery dinner theater, Mrs. Koury being George Washington, Mrs. Thurston as Robert E. Lee (minus the commissioned grey) and all other students given a character within their curriculum. George sets up the plot and the mystery to solve. Student groups move from station to station where they find clues to help them solve the mystery. Clues provide information based on primary source items. Student groups have to point out specific information in their process of eliminating suspects throughout the room. The culprit is one of the student characters and given the directive to act inconspicuous throughout the activity.
What makes this classroom mystery review effective is how it is aligned to the curriculum. All clues are accurate historical events. Students have to justify a characters involvement and accusations of guilt based on actual events relating to the required curricular review. This is difficult for 6th graders as they get caught up in the fun, but guides them in siting the evidence accurately.
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