Leader gold
On May 23rd, 2013, the Giving Tree Squad restored honor to a forgotten legend in North Carolina history.
After researching journals and newspaper clippings from the 1930's and 40's, Mr. Ashley's students began a campaign to revive the name of John Clegg Lockhart, a superintendent who led funding for schools to be built during the Great Depression and led the effort for a state retirement system for teachers. They raised $1,500 to create and display a historical plaque that now hangs in Lockhart Elementary School. And Matrena Hunter, the 93 year old daughter of Mr. Lockhart, had a chance to see the plaque before it was displayed. Before the project, the school and community knew nothing about the origin of their school name. Now, they will never forget.
"Charlotte students memorialize namesake of Lockhart Elementary"-Eastern Wake News
"Singing the song of an unsung hero"-South Charlotte Weekly
DJ day
On Monday, January 28th, 2013, Mr. Ashley's 4th graders and Mrs. Rayson's 5th graders added their own musical notes to revive history. They transformed into DJs for the day and became the first class to mix music and primary sources with the newly released DJay ipad app. Students presented correlated dances with glow-sticks, while others mixed relevant Civil War speeches, telegrams, diary entries, and amendments. Kids also created glow-in-the-dark posters that brought the darkest time in our nation to light for fellow students, parents, teachers, and the Charlotte community.
"History gets a remix" Charlotte-Mecklenburg School News
Revolutionary water balloon battle
On Thursday, November 1st, 2012, Mr. Ashley's 4th grade students became Patriot soldiers of the American Revolution. The young soldiers demonstrated undaunted courage, but their efforts fell short as they lost to the well-equipped and overpowering British Army (Mrs. Rayson's 5th graders). Still, students gleaned a life lesson similar to the Revolutionaries of 1781: You can lose the battle and still win the war.
"McAlpine Elementary students re-create Revolutionary War battle"-Charlotte Observer
"Students re-enact Revolutionary War battle with water balloons"-News 14 Carolina
"Rights Rights Baby" music video
On Friday, March 16th, 2011, Mr. Ashley's students came into school on a Teacher Workday so that the American people might learn their rights...through a rap music video! Kids wrote each of the 1st ten amendments on posters and showed off their dance moves with James Madison for the world to see.
"Teacher gets creative to help students learn history"-News 14 Carolina
"Past Blast" wax museum
On Monday, January 17th, 2011, Mr. Ashley's students brought history alive in the hallways of McAlpine Elementary as it was broadcasted live across the Charlotte area. Wilson from Fox News Rising had the opportunity to interview Jimi Hendrix, Barack Obama, Mother Teresa, Michael Jackson, Laura Bush, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Prior to the Past Blast, students spent weeks researching their historical characters and reading a novel by Andy Andrews, The Young Traveler's Gift, about a boy who travels in time to learn seven life success lessons from seven historical people. For each child's Past Blast character, kids constructed an eighth decision for success. They then memorized this decision, along with a first person speech from their character's perspective that they recited, by memory, during the event. They also created costumes, posters, buttons, and motivational life decision cards that were given to audience members.
Andy Andrews Website
Revolutionary water balloon battle
On Thursday, October 28th, 2010, Mr. Ashley's students grabbed their weapons, water balloons, and engaged in the Battle of McAlpine. Each student played a specific role during the battle. Kids were generals, lieutenants, minutemen, militia, nurses, and flag holders. Both the Colonial and British army prepared for weeks for this event. Geographical maps were created, battle plans were practiced, and the armies clashed to capture the flag at the Battle of McAlpine.
"Kids use water balloons to learn about Revolutionary War"-News 14 Carolina
Goodwill drive
On Thursday, February 4th, 2010, fifth grade students at McAlpine Elementary visited the Goodwill Career Development Center to see the fruits of their labors in a community service project. In weeks prior to this trip, students had gathered over 1,000 used items that were donated to Goodwill Industries. After touring the site, students learned about the extensive job-training and support given for individuals who need a helping hand.
"Students get to see real impact of their efforts"-News 14 Carolina
On May 23rd, 2013, the Giving Tree Squad restored honor to a forgotten legend in North Carolina history.
After researching journals and newspaper clippings from the 1930's and 40's, Mr. Ashley's students began a campaign to revive the name of John Clegg Lockhart, a superintendent who led funding for schools to be built during the Great Depression and led the effort for a state retirement system for teachers. They raised $1,500 to create and display a historical plaque that now hangs in Lockhart Elementary School. And Matrena Hunter, the 93 year old daughter of Mr. Lockhart, had a chance to see the plaque before it was displayed. Before the project, the school and community knew nothing about the origin of their school name. Now, they will never forget.
"Charlotte students memorialize namesake of Lockhart Elementary"-Eastern Wake News
"Singing the song of an unsung hero"-South Charlotte Weekly
DJ day
On Monday, January 28th, 2013, Mr. Ashley's 4th graders and Mrs. Rayson's 5th graders added their own musical notes to revive history. They transformed into DJs for the day and became the first class to mix music and primary sources with the newly released DJay ipad app. Students presented correlated dances with glow-sticks, while others mixed relevant Civil War speeches, telegrams, diary entries, and amendments. Kids also created glow-in-the-dark posters that brought the darkest time in our nation to light for fellow students, parents, teachers, and the Charlotte community.
"History gets a remix" Charlotte-Mecklenburg School News
Revolutionary water balloon battle
On Thursday, November 1st, 2012, Mr. Ashley's 4th grade students became Patriot soldiers of the American Revolution. The young soldiers demonstrated undaunted courage, but their efforts fell short as they lost to the well-equipped and overpowering British Army (Mrs. Rayson's 5th graders). Still, students gleaned a life lesson similar to the Revolutionaries of 1781: You can lose the battle and still win the war.
"McAlpine Elementary students re-create Revolutionary War battle"-Charlotte Observer
"Students re-enact Revolutionary War battle with water balloons"-News 14 Carolina
"Rights Rights Baby" music video
On Friday, March 16th, 2011, Mr. Ashley's students came into school on a Teacher Workday so that the American people might learn their rights...through a rap music video! Kids wrote each of the 1st ten amendments on posters and showed off their dance moves with James Madison for the world to see.
"Teacher gets creative to help students learn history"-News 14 Carolina
"Past Blast" wax museum
On Monday, January 17th, 2011, Mr. Ashley's students brought history alive in the hallways of McAlpine Elementary as it was broadcasted live across the Charlotte area. Wilson from Fox News Rising had the opportunity to interview Jimi Hendrix, Barack Obama, Mother Teresa, Michael Jackson, Laura Bush, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Prior to the Past Blast, students spent weeks researching their historical characters and reading a novel by Andy Andrews, The Young Traveler's Gift, about a boy who travels in time to learn seven life success lessons from seven historical people. For each child's Past Blast character, kids constructed an eighth decision for success. They then memorized this decision, along with a first person speech from their character's perspective that they recited, by memory, during the event. They also created costumes, posters, buttons, and motivational life decision cards that were given to audience members.
Andy Andrews Website
Revolutionary water balloon battle
On Thursday, October 28th, 2010, Mr. Ashley's students grabbed their weapons, water balloons, and engaged in the Battle of McAlpine. Each student played a specific role during the battle. Kids were generals, lieutenants, minutemen, militia, nurses, and flag holders. Both the Colonial and British army prepared for weeks for this event. Geographical maps were created, battle plans were practiced, and the armies clashed to capture the flag at the Battle of McAlpine.
"Kids use water balloons to learn about Revolutionary War"-News 14 Carolina
Goodwill drive
On Thursday, February 4th, 2010, fifth grade students at McAlpine Elementary visited the Goodwill Career Development Center to see the fruits of their labors in a community service project. In weeks prior to this trip, students had gathered over 1,000 used items that were donated to Goodwill Industries. After touring the site, students learned about the extensive job-training and support given for individuals who need a helping hand.
"Students get to see real impact of their efforts"-News 14 Carolina