Walking into the Junior School gym this past Wednesday felt like stepping into a vibrant, living museum where every exhibit told a colourful personal story. From family heirlooms to cultural treasures, the "Museum of Me" project was a celebration of identity, heritage and the power of student-driven learning.
Guided by teachers Roxanne Kingsbury and Jeremy Bell, Grade 3 students spent the term exploring global traditions and cultures, diving into their own family histories and curating personal collections that reflected who they are.
Discovery and connection
The project began with a simple question: Who am I? From there, students embarked on a journey of self-discovery, researching their family histories.
Presentations included a Who I Am cue card, where students added to their initial discoveries with maps, flags and family trees tracing their roots. Artifacts and treasures with personal significance took centre stage, alongside photo collages and family recipes.
Roxanne Kingsbury explained how "Museum of Me" fits into the Grade 3 curriculum.
“The project celebrates a remarkable term of learning centred around our big idea: ‘People from diverse cultures and societies share common experiences and aspects of life,’” she said.
Throughout the term, students explored shared elements of life across cultures, such as food, celebrations, traditions, clothing, language and the vital role of Elders. They also delved into oral history, traditional stories as evidence about past First Peoples cultures, including engaging with Indigenous creation stories from around the world.
“The exploration began with the question, ‘Who am I?’ prompting students to reflect on their own identity,” Kingsbury said. “From there, we broadened the scope to include their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, and finally, to cultures around the world. With our classrooms being richly multicultural, students had the unique opportunity to learn about other cultures by sharing and connecting with their peers.”
Through this project, the teachers aimed to encourage students to connect with their families, uncover their heritage and discover commonalities while learning about what makes each of them unique.
“Our hope is that this experience plants seeds of understanding, tolerance and respect, inspiring them to grow into open-minded young adults,” Kingsbury added.
A celebration of stories
As I walked through the room, I was struck by the diversity and depth of each exhibit. One student, whose family is from Hong Kong and China, proudly explained that he, his brother, and their dog, Trevor, were the Canadian branch of the family.
"My brother and I were born in Toronto, but Trevor was born here," the student said emphatically.
At another table, a student proudly displayed figurines of the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, symbols of his family’s European heritage. Beside him, his tablemate wore a sparkling traditional saree paired with shiny basketball medals, her outfit a perfect blend of culture and personal achievement.
Nearby, another student showcased a treasured family menorah that had been part of every Hanukkah celebration in his family for generations.
“It’s way older than me,” he explained, holding it carefully.
The room was filled with smiles, hugs and the kind of pride that comes from sharing something deeply personal. Parents and grandparents leaned in to listen, their faces lighting up as their children explained the significance of each item.
For Kingsbury, the "Museum of Me" presentations are a highlight of the year.
“This is one of our favourite days of the year,” she said. “Students are so proud to share what they’ve learned about their families, in turn, share that pride as their story is being told as well. It’s wonderful to witness the rich diversity of cultures on display.”
The "Museum of Me" was more than just a school assignment. It was a celebration of self-discovery. It reminded us that every student has a story worth telling, and that those stories are even more powerful when shared.
As I left the gym, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. This is what learning looks like when it’s driven by curiosity, connection and a respect for who we are.
