Informational text is important to read in all grade levels. The common core standards are divided almost equally between literary and informative text. Both types of text are equally important. When it comes to informational text, I have a few favorite projects I always do. I love combining informational text with writing and researching. Writing informational pieces is also a big standard in every grade, along with researching a topic and reporting on it. So, I love to do big projects where I can include all these aspects in one thing.
One way I love to include all these aspects in one thing is the Wax Museum Project. You can really do this at any grade level. My students are in fourth grade, but younger grades and middle school could benefit from a project like this!
The Wax Museum Project is where students research one historical figure from history (you can tie in your social studies standards as well). The students read about the person, research the person and fill out a notes organizer, write an informative essay, and present a speech to the class. The speech consists of pretending to be the person and even dressing up like them!
I created a resource that I use during this project. If you want to purchase this resource, you can find it here on our Teachers Pay Teachers store. It includes everything you need to implement this project in the classroom.
Choosing a Person
In the past, I have made this Wax Museum Project tie to my social studies standards. I would choose people that we have learned about in our social studies standards or will learn about in the future. In fourth grade, I teach on the revolutionary war, so I chose people from this time period.
You could also theme the project for Black History Month, Presidents’ Day, famous inventors, or even just influential people from the United States.
When choosing the person they want to be for Wax Museum, I have a list of available people. I then have students choose the top 3 people they want and write it on a slip of paper. I look through their responses and choose what person they get to research. I usually don’t have too many students wanting the same person, but I try to make sure every student gets at least their third choice. This has worked well for me each year.
Research and Class Work
I require that my students read at least one book. I give them time in class to read and they have a Notes Organizer to take notes while they read.
I love the “Who Was” books and the “I Am” books. The books have a lot of different options for different people, which I love. I choose a “Who Was” book for each person, so all students have at least that book to read.
I also like to take the students to the library or inform the librarian of our project. The students can find more books to use for research on their person.
Once the students have read one book, they are allowed to use the internet to find more information. I require students to have 2 sources, one book and one online resource, but they always have at least 3.
When the students complete the Notes Organizer, they start writing the prewrite for the essay. I created a prewrite template for the students to complete so I knew all information I wanted would be in the essay. I matched up the prewrite with the Notes Organizer and included the information that should be in each paragraph and how many sentences I wanted. This essay had to be five paragraphs in length.
When they finished the prewrite, the students had to go through the writing process. So, they wrote a rough draft, revised and edited, and then typed a final draft.
Speech Template
When the students finish the essay, they start on the speech template. I have an outline that they fill out with all the information needed for a speech. For the speech, they need to pretend to be that person, so it is written from “I.” I allow students to add in information if they want to, but I want all students to follow the format I provided, so I know all the important information is in it.
Depending on the level of your students, you may have them memorize their speech. I give it as an option, but most of my students read the speech template.
Outfit
On the day that students present their speech, I like them to dress up as the person they researched. This is so fun for the students and I love to see the creativity! I don’t require that they have to dress up though, since some students do not have funds or help to do this. I do require that they have to dress in an appropriate outfit or they have to draw a detailed picture of what they would wear. Giving the students an option to draw the outfit is a great way to keep all students in mind.
Presentation Day
On the day we present, I set aside a large amount of time to make sure we can listen to all speeches. Sometimes, I invite parents or other teachers or staff to come and listen. Sometimes, I only have 5 students present a day, since it may take awhile to get through the speeches. Other times, we set up around the room and have the parents and staff walk around and listen to the speeches. However I choose to present, I make sure the students know they need to be prepared and dress up if they choose to. I also like all students to listen to all the speeches if possible, because I feel like they learn a lot from each other.
Optional Assignment
One year, I decided to have the students make magazines to go along with the person they were researching. The magazine included little articles that they took from their essay they already wrote. I had them add pictures printed from the internet, along with an important dates section and an interesting facts section. On the back of their magazine, I had the students make a 5 question quiz (answers were separate). I set the expectations for a basic magazine, but I encouraged the students to be creative with their magazines. They turned out great!
When everyone was finished with the magazines, I took some class time and had students read each other’s magazines. They really enjoyed doing this!
Students always LOVE this project. I love that it focuses on so many essential skills, but students have fun doing it. I hope you are able to use this in your classroom!
If you want to check out my complete resource for this Wax Museum project, click here!
Also, if you want an idea for another research project for upper elementary, check out my State Research Project here!
Thank you for Continually Learning with us!
Kyle and Sarah
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