Third-Graders Bring Biographies to Life

Last year, third-graders did something different to cap off their study of the biography genre: “Little Shoes, Big Voices” was a departure from the traditional wax museum concept. This time, third-grade teachers Shona Inggs and Holly Prince wanted to give every student her own spotlight. Rather than sharing in the same room at the same time to one or two people, each student wrote a speech in the voice of her biography subject, dressed up like the person, and delivered the speech for an audience of fellow students, teachers, and parents.

“It was rewarding to see a student who had been reluctant to give her speech in front of the 15 girls in our class during rehearsals embrace the challenge and deliver it boldly from the stage in front of all the parents,” says Ms. Inggs.

“With one child on stage at a time, they could really shine,” says Mrs. Prince.

A quiz prepared for the parents by the students made for an interactive intermission. “It was funny — some of the parents were very competitive,” Mrs. Prince says.

Many big names took the stage, among them Alexander Hamilton, Sonia Sotomayor, and Simone Biles. Some lesser-known luminaries, such as the classical pianist and environmental activist Mahani Teave, gave everyone a chance to learn something new.

This article is featured in the fall 2024 issue of Kent Place magazine.