Second Grade Interviews Artie Seelenfreund, Class of 1956

What better way for second graders to explore the social studies concepts of time, continuity, and change than by investigating something very familiar (WDS!) and studying how it has changed over its 78 years.

After first gaining an understanding about historical versus present-day schools, students were ready to learn about WDS history. Students interviewed Artie Seelenfreund (WDS ’56) for a firsthand account of student life at WDS from early on in the school’s history.

To prepare for interviewing Artie, students learned about the art of interviewing, brainstormed what they hoped to learn, planned questions, and practiced how to take organized notes. The students loved hearing Artie’s stories about what has changed—and hasn’t—since he was a student here. It was hard for them to imagine the cafeteria being in the Castle! After a “To the Stars!” cheer, which Artie told them was often said by first WDS Principal Mr. Plotnick, students began writing the first chapter of their history books, What is WDS?, for this multidisciplinary endeavor combining history, reading, note-taking, interviewing, and writing.

Conversations about the What is WDS? project during Grandparents & Special Persons Day last week uncovered a surprising familial connection. One second grader and Artie are actually first cousins, three times removed!