4 reasons why it's hard to be smarter than Cuba's fourth graders - Cuba, MO

Each spring Viva Cuba members give the fourth graders a narrated tour of the murals.

Don’t bet against Cuba’s fourth graders when it comes to local history…

When it comes to local history, Cuba’s fourth graders are sharp about some of the events that influenced their town. The fourth graders gain this history through some hard work, fun projects, and outside-of-the-classroom events during their spring study of Missouri History.

1. The fourth graders study the curriculum of each of the murals with worksheets provided by the Viva Cuba organization. These involve Cuba events that coincided with events linked to national figures Amelia Earhart, Harry Truman, and Bette Davis. The Gold Star Boys Mural brings World War II home for these students as well. Route 66 and the railroad brought prosperity to Cuba.

2. Each year Chip Lange, who is a figure in the Cuba’s Civil War murals, visits fourth grade classes to discuss the Civil War during their study of Missouri History. To read more about Chip and his connection with the murals and the fourth graders, read here.

3. Viva Cuba members conduct a “school bus” tour that hits the highlights of the murals and their background. Some of the students had already taken one of the narrated tours of the murals on the trolleys during October’s annual Cuba Fest.

4. Students prepare dioramas to illustrate their knowledge of Missouri History. The displays in the hallways show a lot of hard work and imagination. We have featured just a few of the locally-connected displays below.

Now you know why we say “don’t bet against a fourth grader when it comes to local history.” Way to go Cuba fourth graders and their teachers!