Willow School 2nd-Graders Culminate Tour of America in Presidential Style

Students in Amanda Townsend’s 2nd- grade class at Willow School concluded their year-long social studies Tour of America unit on May 17th with a “State Dinner at the White House.”   The dinner was hosted by Ms. Townsend (playing the part of Mrs. Obama) and teaching assistant Kim Genduso (playing the part of Mrs. Biden). 

The unit, lead by Genduso, was part of her effort to share her own extensive travels with the students and nurture in them both a love of America and of travel, in general.  Four times each month throughout the year, Genduso introduced a different U.S. landmark or monument with stories, pictures and interesting facts.  The class documented their travels on a map in the hallway.  Among the locations students got to “visit” this year were the Hoover Dam, Niagara Falls, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Grand Canyon.

Their journey ended in Washington D.C. with a celebratory “State Dinner”. The students and teachers dressed in their very best formal attire and practiced manners worthy of the White House.   They dined on Delanoe’s pizza, apple slices, fruit punch and cream puffs for dessert and used White House “china” they created themselves.

“It was so much fun!  Now when I see pictures of places like the Hoover Dam, I feel like I have been there!”  said student Charlie Van Etten.