6/05/08

Middle schoolers put social studies on display

by Beckye Randall

Eighth graders at Arlington’s Post Middle School proudly displayed the results of a year-long Social Studies project on Saturday, May 31, in the school’s gym.

The gym was filled with tables holding impressive displays on a myriad of topics, from Mount St. Helens and northwest logging to local historical events and the end of slavery.

Teachers Michael Preisinger and Melinda Skyles surveyed the kids’ projects with pride, explaining that this was the 30th annual Social Studies Fair at Post.

“I started teaching here in 1990,” said Skyles, “and this was already a well-established event.”

Similar to a graduate’s culminating project, students choose their own topics for the assignment in November. The third quarter focuses on research, in addition to the standard curriculum, and students work on their displays, at school and at home, during the fourth quarter.

“They learn how to meet deadlines, to conduct research and interviews,” said Preisinger. “And they get to learn more about a topic that interests them, and share that knowledge with their classmates.”

Evie Aylesworth was one of about 200 students proudly showing off her display. A study of her family’s Norwegian heritage and roots, she told the story of her great-great-grandfather’s journey from Oslo to build a better future for his young family. Dressed in a traditional Norwegian costume made by her mother, Evie said, “It was actually fun learning about my family and about some local history.”

Sporting an authentic-looking Civil War uniform, Douglas Robieson pointed out some of the details in his oversized display about the war. Along with actual Civil War weaponry and accessories, Douglas had replicas of flags, photographs, timelines and lots of facts about the bloody war. Local Civil War reenactment enthusiasts, including Mike Childers and Douglas’ uncle Jeff Lich, provided rifles, pistols and uniform pieces, information and photos of authentic cannons and more.

“And James at the co-op store loaned me an ammo bag, a canteen and a cavalry hat,” Douglas pointed out.

Most of the young man’s research was conducted on the Internet, but he said his great-grandmother, who is 85, was also a good source.

In addition to the visual display, students were required to put together a written report on their topic.

Both Douglas and Evie were awarded certificates from the Stillaguamish Historical Society for their displays, as were several dozen other students. Students who completed research projects highlighting local or family history were also invited to showcase their display at the society’s office.

“I learned a lot of things about the Civil War,” said Douglas, “not just about the weapons but about what the real problems were.” That’s the kind of knowledge that continues to benefit us all.