Students Discover History's Lure

Demirela Teljiyovic's parents risked their lives to come to America.

"My mother had to live in a tree for two months," the 9-year-old said. "My parents have told me what Bosnia was like, and I've read books about it at school.

"I treat my parents like they deserve to be treated, and am not rude to them like some other kids are to their parents. I know what they've been through."

Demirela, a third-grader at Schrader Elementary School, will tell her story in the school's "We the People" musical. The production is part of a learning unit centered around the "We the People," a collection of 25 fiction and nonfiction works procured through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

"These books relate to the theme of equality," said Janet Laird, the intermediate teacher who obtained the grant. "The kids will learn about American history and how it's changed over time. The most important thing is that they understand people outside themselves - different cultures and heritages."

The books offer a variety for all grade levels, ranging from "The Ugly Duckling," which is geared toward younger students, to "Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott," aimed at advanced fifth-grade readers. Other books in the collection include "Amistad: A Novel," "Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution," and "Flowers for Algernon." The set also includes several Spanish books for students still mastering English and a box set of CDs, DVDs and other teaching materials about Abraham Lincoln.

The collection is available to all students for general reading and special assignments. Members of the school's Champions team also are doing special projects using the "We the People" books.

Fourth-grader Brittany Keith, 10, reported on "Lyddie" by Catherine Patterson, the story of a poor female factory worker in the 1840s.

"Lyddie was treated differently from girls whose families made more money," she said. "It wasn't fair."

By reading "Pink and Say," fourth-grader Ryan Shields learned "how hard it was to live in the Civil War and run from the Confederate Army."

"I'm glad these books are here to tell us what it was like for other people in other times," he said.

Another fourth-grader, 10-year-old Orion Mancini, reviewed "Many Thousands Gone" and learned what slaves had to do to become free.

This month, state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, talked with students about the "We the People" books.

"Sen. Fasano told the kids about great leaders in history, and we tied in what he does as a representative with the 'We the People' theme," said Laird.

The Champions team will cap off this school year by presenting the 'We the People' musical Tuesday; the program combines music from the 'We the People' curriculum with original dialogue and songs composed by the students.

Some students will portray historical luminaries, such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Susan B. Anthony; others will read famous speeches, such as Lincoln's Gettysburg address, or from historic documents, such as the preamble to the Constitution.

Others, such as Demirela, will tell their families' stories.

"'We the People' has gotten the kids really hyped up about history, and now they have their own stories to tell," Laird said.