Students become real-life Titanic passengers

Seventh-Grade students enrolled in Mrs. Beres’ Language Arts Class recently completed a research project on the Titanic. To reinforce their studies and make a connection to one of the district’s core values of empathy, Mrs. Beres tasked the students with a special project of assuming the identity of a real life first-class, second-class, or third-class passenger aboard the Titanic.

Students prepared by researching their character role for about four weeks, and once they entered the classroom on May 6, 2019, they stepped into their roles and could no longer speak of anything related to the 21st century! Students engaged in period board games, discussed 19th Century literature and reflected upon their previous reading excerpts of Frankenstein, “The Lady and the Tiger” and a Sherlock Holmes mystery found in the Scholastic Scope Magazine, and all enjoyed a tea party with biscuits and chocolates of varying quality dependent on their assigned role/class. Extra credit was granted for period costumes and the ability and willingness of students to engage in conversations with regional accents. First-class passengers had the honor of using authentic English fine bone China thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Tracey Parsons and the Harrington family. Linens, serving trays and utensils enhanced the classroom atmosphere and were provided by Mrs. Jen Kassimer, Mrs. Jane Ondo and Mrs. DiThomas. Students contributed anywhere from $2-$5 (only if they were able to do so) to fund the refreshments. Mrs. Beres (and some very kind 8th grade patrons) covered all students that could not contribute.

By the end of the day, all of the seventh graders that researched Titanic shared a greater empathy of the passengers that boarded that fateful journey 107 years ago. It was a fantastic project-based learning experience to connect the students to historical events in such a fun and meaningful way.