Abby Nadeau
Community Editor

Students at Wyoming Elementary got an education about the past, straight from the people who experienced it.

For those kids who didnít know what an ìiceboxî was the residents at Meadows on Fairview were happy to explain.

On Wednesday, March 22, Carrie Pulczinskiís fourth grade social studies class traveled to Meadows on Fairview to give Powerpoint presentations on 14 of its residents.

While working on their ìTry to See it My Wayî unit, a unit that focuses on seeing events through different eyes, Pulczinskiís class read the book The Hundred Penny Box by Sharon Bell Mathias.

The Book

The Hundred Penny Box is about a small boy Michael, his mother and his great aunt Dew and their relationships together.

Great aunt Dew is one hundred years old and has a box filled with pennies that mark each year of her life. Together with Michael, Dew recalls many of her memories by picking up pennies from the box. She tells Michael that if anyone were to take the box, they would take her life.

When Michaelís mom threatens to get rid of the box, Michael comes to the rescue.

The Project

Based on the book 49 students interview someone over the age of 50 and report on their life the project called ìThe Gift of Life.î

ìThe students learned how to do an interview,î Pulczinski said, ìwe also taught them to be compassionate if the person they interviewed didnít remember some memories.î

Students got into groups of three or four and met with one person from Meadows, they conducted their interview and then had to write a paper about what they learned.

Pulczinski teamed up with Pam Dolin, Leisure Program and Events Coordinator at Meadows, who arranged the children to meet 14 willing participants.

ìDuring the interview the kids asked some great questions,î Dolin said. ìI heard one little girl ask how old the person was when she had her first kiss.î

On the day the paper was due, Pulczinski announced the Powerpoint presentations. The students took the information they wrote in the paper and made it into a presentation to be given to the residents on lap tops.

ìMost of these residents had never seen a lap top before,î Dolin said. ìThey were all so thrilled.î

After the presentations were given the residents filled Dolin with words of praise.

ìOne resident commented that it was the best program weíve ever done,î Dolin said. ìMany residents were impressed on how well the kids behaved themselves. Residents just love the kids.î

Starting a project like ìThe Gift of Life,î isnít easy, but Wyoming Elementary School Principal Mike Conway encourages it all the way.

ìWe enjoyed the exchange of ideas in the interviews,î Conway said. ìAnytime we can integrate the community in our curriculum, along with history and technology, is beneficial.î

Pulczinski and Dolin have plans to continue the project next year.

ìResidents just love the kids,î Dolin said. ìWe think it is just so important for us to give back to them.î

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