A living wax museum

PEA RIDGE — Queen Elizabeth, Cesar Chavez, Neil Armstorng, Jesus, Gen.

George Patton, Dr. Seuss, Clara Barton lined the hallways at Pea Ridge Intermediate School.

The fifth-grade students portraying the characters were in costume and took their roles seriously. The project was the culmination of the Living Wax Museum project sponsored by fifth-grade literacy teacher Mrs.

Meagan Hussain.

“Each of the students researched, wrote a report, prepared a one-minute speech, and found a costume,” Hussain said, explaining that the project is part of the new Common Core curriculum being promoted.

There were 165 students involved. Each portrayed their character during the hour theyattend literacy.

“They had to find creative and/ or inventive people,” Hussain said, “someone who has done something positive for society.”

“I’m really proud of the students and the effort they put into it.”

“They’re so proud of the work they’ve done,” she said.

She said the students - and she - learned much from the project.

One student researched Dr.

Virginia Apgar, the woman who developed the Apgar score, an assessment for newborn babies.

The project was divided into phases with different goals due on Fridays for the past four weeks. On Tuesday, the students stood by their displays and recited their one-minute speeches when parents or other visitors pushed the button for them to speak.