When learning history, there is nothing better than learning about the events from a first-person point of view.
That is exactly what Sashabaw Middle School eighth grade language arts teacher Sue Wilson decided to do when her students began reading a novel on the Great Depression.
‘This is a part of the district’s ‘Learn and Serve? project,? said Wilson. ‘The goal is to bring together the community and the schools. We were reading Irene Hunt’s ‘No Promises in the Wind? and I was looking for a way for the students to really grasp the history.
‘Then I thought, ‘What better way for the kids to learn about the Great Depression than to talk with someone who actually lived through it.??
With this in mind, Wilson contacted Independence Township Senior Center Director Margaret Bartos. The result is an original project.
On April 27, 17 middle school students were picked up by the senior center buses and brought to the center to interview 10 ‘Great Depression? volunteers.
Those who could not attend the April 27 session participated on April 30 with two additional volunteers.
The students spent the afternoon interviewing the seniors, learning about the Great Depression and their lives at the time.
‘It was somewhat difficult to find individuals who remember the Great Depression,? said Bartos. ‘There are not too many left.
‘This may be the first and last time for this wonderful program,? she added.
Those who actually lived through and can remember the Great Depression are today older than 80 years old. Senior center participants included Paula Acton, 69 (brought family artifacts); Ruby Cooper, 81; Elmer Loehne, 83; Charna Manojlovich, 85; John Nicholson, 75; Bob Porter, 86; Treva Porter, 92; Thelma Stitt, 82; John Thomas, 81; George Thompson, 87 and Jean Perzyk.
The students took the information from their interviews and created a ‘Legacy Booklet.? The booklet contains pictures from their interviews and biographies on each of the seniors who participated.
To cap the project, the legacy booklets will be on display at SMS on the afternoon of May 18. The senior citizens who participated will be brought over to view the books and enjoy an ice cream social.
‘This is where the students give back and say thank you to the seniors for participating,? said Wilson.