Reading a novel took an interesting turn recently for Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School third graders. In conjunction with their book study, “Being Teddy Roosevelt," by Claudia Mills, Superintendent Tom Evans paid them a visit. Evans, who has become somewhat of an expert on Roosevelt over the years, shared many amazing facts about the nation’s 26th president who served from 1901-1909.
Evans described how Roosevelt overcame asthma by engaging in physical activity. “They didn’t have inhalers back then,” he explained. He described the perseverance, hard work, and determination Roosevelt demonstrated throughout his life, what an adventurer Roosevelt was, and his many accomplishments. These included forming the Rough Riders in 1898, a nickname given to the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, that fought in the Spanish–American War; how, as Assistant Secretary to the U.S. Navy, he made this military branch one of the strongest in the world; and how, later, as president, he formed the National Park Service and preserved more than 230 million acres of land. “Finally, we talked about monopolies and how Roosevelt broke up the railroad monopoly, and the importance of railroads to our country at the time,” Evans remarked.
“By sharing his wonderful knowledge, our students were able to make better connections to this novel study,” remarked teacher Madison Smith. The students will continue reading about important individuals throughout the year, then research an individual of their choosing and take on their persona in a Wax Museum exhibition in the spring.
“I loved it,” Evans said about his visit with the students. “Roosevelt is one of my favorite topics, and I enjoyed sharing information about his life with the students.”