SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) hosted an interactive social studies museum for local fifth-grade students on Friday, November 14, at the Geiger Center on OBU’s campus.
This semester’s theme, “From Colonies to Country: A Study of the American Revolution,” transported fifth-grade students from Shawnee Will Rogers Elementary into the life of the colonists, their courageous fight for freedom and the insightful leaders who joined to create the documents that still serve as the foundation to our country to this date.
During the event, students learned through activities and lessons created by students of OBU’s Henry F. McCabe Family School of Education. These teacher education majors are enrolled in the social studies methods course, led by Dr. Jeanne Akin, Mary A. White Professor of Education. The course encourages students to develop interactive, hands-on displays using materials accessible to any educator.
Akin’s class hosts similar museums each year in the fall semester, aiming to spark curiosity and foster historical understanding in young learners.
“Through this semester’s museum, our teacher education students aimed to help students understand the early formation of our country, the courage and grit it took to claim independence and the wise thinking of bold leaders who put their mind to the task of creating documents that serve as the foundation for our country and still serve them today,” Akin said. “We hope that the students can catch a glimpse of the American story and can claim it as their own, with appreciation and understanding.”
The students’ displays featured four stations: “Life of a Colonist” where students engaged in butter-making and learning how people lived daily; “Taxation without Representation” where students joined a colonist community and purchased items only to find they were taxed by the British and then participate in the Boston Tea Party; “Leaders and the Revolution” where students meet Hall of Famers such as, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Phillis Wheatley and others and sign their own name to the Declaration of Independence; and “Making a Nation” where students view a simulation of creating the Bill of Rights and learn how this document still protects them today. This museum created an immersive experience that brought history to life for the students.
Education students participating in the event included Natalie O’Hair, Natalie Rodgers, Zion Davis, Katie Vest and Hailey Harris, who taught about “Life as a Colonist”; Chesney Long, Savannah Puryear, Faith Heslip, Emily Studdard and Laney Brochu, who taught “Taxation without Representation”; Ella Kate King, Sam Scott, Rylie Justice, Ke’Bryana Thomas, Callie Goodson and Ethan Muehlenweg, who taught “Leaders and the Revolution”; and Ellison Hargrove, Ty Hanes, Faith Holbrook, Aubrey Williams and Lane Cryer, who taught “Making a Nation.”
The event offered a valuable opportunity for both OBU students and local fifth graders to engage in creative, hands-on learning, celebrate the arts and explore an important period in American history.
For more information about the OBU School of Education, visit obu.edu/education.
