Chocowinity Primary School hosted a multicultural program for its students, faculty and guests this week, highlighting figures in history and the moments that defined their greatness.

 

The skit- and song-based program spotlighted individuals, particularly in black history, including Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama. The school’s fourth-grade AIG reading class created the program based on research and implemented innovative thinking through creating a script based on the research they dug up on each person they showcased. The students also performed the entire thing with the help of some recruits like the school janitor, who played Barack Obama, and the school secretary, who played Michelle Obama.

 

One of the unique things about the program is the exposure it gave the audience — the younger kids at the school. Sure, these kids hear and even learn about these historical figures, but how much of it really sinks in? Through skits and songs, it’s certain that the historical facts presented throughout the program really sunk in, in the minds of the students in the audience.

 

Another unique thing is the group, who put on the play, was exposed to the historical information via project-based learning, a common form of learning for that group, according to AIG teacher Paige Cochran. The presenting group did an amazing job of creating a program that educated its audience, as well as providing a visualization of what the events in history probably looked like. The students also did a great job of peppering the program with humorous improvisation.

 

Not only did the program accomplish the aforementioned things, but, more importantly, it provided education about past events that should not be repeated, meaning the program, hopefully, brought students together regardless of race and allowed for a better understanding of one another.

 

In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech, he states, “I have a dream…little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”

 

That dream was fulfilled at Chocowinity Primary School on Tuesday. In the audience, little boys and little girls, regardless of race or background, could be seen holding hands, singing and dancing around and smiling and enjoying the multicultural program presented before them. What a great thing it was to witness.