Kennebunk Middle Schoolers Create Poetry and Podcasts to Learn about Public Speaking -- and American History!

Shared with permission from our friends at RSU 21:

In Kennebunk, eighth-grade history students transformed their middle school classroom into a bustling restaurant -- offering more than just food, but lessons on the American Revolution!

The immersive learning experience, called "Redcoats and Revolutions," challenged students at the Middle School of the Kennebunks (MSK) to present knowledge while engaging in public speaking.

"We always say that our job is to help students get a job one day," said history and economics teacher Ben Fogg, who led the project alongside social studies teacher Dan Sherman. "This is an opportunity to create an authentic and engaging experience for students to communicate with other people as they would at a job interview one day."

The simulation, a culmination of weeks of research, required students to create poetry, podcasts, posters, print media, and videos about key figures and events from the War for Independence. On the final day, they selected one item to present to guests, including parents, teachers, and administrators, while following a structured customer service model known as "GREAT"—Greet, Retrieve, Explain, Ask, and Thank.

For some students, the experience provided a breakthrough in public speaking.

"It was really nerve-wracking at first, but after I got to the second table, it was a lot less stressful," said MSK eighth-grader Emma LeBlanc, who focused on the legendary figure Molly Pitcher. "I definitely think I'll still be nervous in the future, but having this experience will make it a lot less intimidating."

"We recognize that public speaking can be a source of anxiety for students, especially at this age," Fogg said. "Our goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety but to teach them that they can do hard things despite it."

The event was made possible with support from the school's Parent-Teacher Group, staff, and administrators.