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History comes to life at Einstein Academy

The sounds of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt echoed off the walls of Einstein Academy in Elgin as the fourth- and fifth-grade students brought history to life.

They did so Wednesday in a 20-year ritual - by posing as wax figures. Students dressing in period costumes of a historical figure were "activated" by a touch of the hand or some other trigger ("Place ankh in King Tut's hand to activate.") That prompted the student/wax figure to come to life and give a rundown on the character they were portraying.

The session is a culmination of a yearling history lesson, says Cathi Ilani, the founder and principal at Einstein Academy.

The exercise helps students think outside the box.

"It really helps them identify and remember history while bringing it to life," she said, noting that students research and write first-person papers on their subjects, which included Socrates, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, King Tut, and Helen of Troy.

  Carolyn Calbeck, 11, of St. Charles, a fifth-grader at Einstein Academy in Elgin, tells Nero's story during the school's annual presentation. Students do research on a historical figure and then portray them as part of their coursework. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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