September, 2010 -- PS #1 Elementary School has created a “Memoir Club” of its students’ grandparents to enhance the children’s understanding of its social studies curriculum, by incorporating into lessons stories from their grandparents’ lives.

 

For the past two school years, grandparents in the Memoir Club have met twice a month at the Santa Monica school to share and write about their remembrances of the generations before them as well as other influential individuals who have helped shape their lives.

 

As they work to create written documents that will preserve their family history for both their children and grandchildren, the grandparents also bring their stories into the classroom to provide additional insights on topics that are currently being discussed.

 

During an in-depth study of the Great Depression, members of the Memoir Club shared with their grandchildren and their classmates personal stories of life during those trying times, describing how they made their own toys and what it meant to have a piece of candy.

 

“Bringing our students’ grandparents into the classroom has aided in our students’ learning by providing a personal connection to events in history,” said Head of School Joel Pelcyger.  “The sharing of experiences by the Memoir Club has also supported one of the core values of PS #1 - the understanding of, connection to, and respect for one’s self, others and the earth,” Pelcyger added.

 

During the 2010-2011 academic year, the Memoir Club will begin the process of editing the works written to date in preparation for a presentation next Fall to the entire PS #1 community – including not only parents, but also alumni, and alumni parents.