Amelia Earhart came along on this year's Yellow School Bus Tour in Cuba, MO.

Amelia Earhart came along on this year’s Yellow School Bus Tour in Cuba, MO. Amelia is pictured in one of Viva Cuba’s murals.

Cuba, MO: With the school year winding down, the fourth grade students finished the year with Missouri History Month and one of Viva Cuba members’ favorite activities, The Yellow School Bus Tour of Cuba’s murals.

Each year in May, a couple of Viva Cuba members board a bus with 4th graders and their teachers to tour the murals and to relate  the local and national history associated with each one. Prior to the tour, the kids study Viva Cuba’s mural curriculum and complete other Missouri History related projects, including hands-on dioramas of a part of Missouri’s or Cuba’s history. All of the kids also get a copy of ….

People's Bank provides these copies of Moments in Cuba's History, which are rich in photos and brief summaries.

People’s Bank provides these copies of Moments in Cuba’s History, which are rich in photos and brief summaries.

Join us on the tour for a few of the scenes that we encountered.

"Amelia" narrates the stories of the murals.

“Amelia” narrates the stories of the murals. The students are attentive had already have a good background of Cuba’s and Missouri’s history.

 

 

The Civil War murals in Cuba provide teachable moments about this conflict in Missouri's History.

The Civil War murals in Cuba provide teachable moments about this conflict in Missouri’s History.

The old Millworks building tells the story of the way business use to be conducted.

The old Roberts-Judson Millworks building tells the story of Cuba business in days gone by.

Historic buildings like Wallace House and the murals tell the stories of the past.

Historic buildings like Wallace House and the murals tell the stories of the past, such as when Harry Truman visited Cuba.

The restored Phillips 66 gas station has its story about its role in Route 66 history.

The restored Phillips 66 gas station has its story about its role in Route 66 history. Even our bus driver said he learned a few things on the tour.

Cuba's kids are very knowledgeable about local history and always impress us with their questions and interest.

Cuba’s kids are very knowledgeable about local history and always impress us with their questions and interest.

The Civil War comes alive to the kids with this series of murals.

The Civil War comes alive to the kids with this series of murals.

The kids enjoyed the story of Bette Davis's trip to Cuba that involved a foot race through the streets of Cuba.

The kids enjoyed the story of Bette Davis’s trip to Cuba that involved a foot race through the streets of Cuba.

We always enjoy spending some time viewing the kids’ projects for Missouri History Month. Here are only a few of them.

Birds Nest Bridge Crawford County MO

Birds Nest Bridge in Crawford County, MO is a local landmark.

The days of the native Americans in Missouri get colorful coverage in projects.

The days of the native Americans in Missouri get colorful coverage in projects.

Cuba attractions are prominent in the displays

Cuba attractions, such as the rocker and the murals, are prominent in the displays

The Spirit of St. Louis display used vintage photos.

The Spirit of St. Louis display used vintage photos and a sparkling airplane.

The St. Louis arch is always a popular image.

The St. Louis arch is always a popular image.

With a little bit of dramatics, a little desk work, some creativity, and a May field trip, Cuba’s fourth graders soak up the culture of their town and state. Viva Cuba hopes this increases their sense of place and community belonging. Viva Cuba invites these fourth graders to someday become Viva Cuba members and to continue the work of the community betterment group.