StM News

Last week, third grade students celebrated the culmination of a months-long multidisciplinary study of the geography and history of the United States with American Heritage Day. The event featured a full exhibition of performances and projects in the Solomon Theater and Saints Hall.

The journey began in mid-January as students researched the regions of the United States. Students focused on reading and comprehending informational text while learning to create outlines to organize their thoughts. Throughout the process, they worked on editing their own work and the work of their peers as they moved from pre-writing and drafting to a final product. This level of academic rigor allowed students to practice paraphrasing written text into their own words using accurate and creative language.

A unique addition to the curriculum this year involved the study of float construction. In January, third graders were given the opportunity to visit the Rex Den and get a behind-the-scenes look at the history, memorabilia, and construction of the floats for the 2026 Carnival season. The visit inspired students to design and build replica floats to represent each region. Students carefully crafted items and images that represent the culture, food, natural resources, and history of their selected regions. Students also used design thinking to imagine and create 3D models of manmade landmarks.

The American Heritage Day performance in the Solomon Theater began with a performance of American themed songs and dances. Following the musical portion, students presented their extensive research to family, faculty, and friends through informative slideshows and shared biographies of famous Americans.

Beyond the academic achievements, the project emphasized the importance of teamwork and community, a hallmark of St. Martin’s 4D approach to curriculum. Students learned to collaborate and make decisions as a group while finding respectful ways to work through different ideas. By offering constructive criticism and supporting one another, the students developed the confidence and empathy needed to succeed as leaders.

From public speaking to digital design to research and writing to peer editing, and much more, this project helped students practice a multitude of skills while also building a lasting connection to the history, culture, and geography that shapes our nation.