“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."
– Benjamin Franklin

This quote from Benjamin Franklin proved to be spot on for fifth graders in Caerensa Klauss’ and April Wright’s classes at Desert Vista Elementary School, 3701 E. Broadway Ave. in Apache Junction, during the recent, annual Franklin’s Colonial Assembly.

Guest speakers, dressed in period clothing and using replicas of 18th Century inventions such as a working printing press. They provided students a unique learning experience that was both entertaining and educational.

The program was performed by the International Printing Museum, A Museum on Wheels. The guest speakers engaged the students with hands-on information about life in the 1700s, as well as Franklin’s childhood and printing experience.

“The students were an amazing audience and had many questions answered as they enjoyed learning about the past with the Ben Franklin traveling assembly,” said Pat Smith, principal at DVES. “We have enjoyed this assembly for many years. It is one of the teachers’ and students’ favorite assemblies.”

In addition to being one of the nation’s founding fathers who helped draft the Declaration of Independence, Franklin was an inventor, scientist, printer, politician and diplomat.

Desert Vista is a Be Kind school where each day students and staff practice the 10 tenets that make a difference in the lives of others. Each day, DVES students proudly share how they actively demonstrate their kindness to others by being respectful, being compassionate, or simply by being a friend.

Registration for all new students who wish to enroll in Apache Junction Unified School District schools are currently being accepted at all school locations. For more information about AJUSD or its schools or departments go to ajusd.org.

Editor’s note: Sally Marks is the public relations specialist for Apache Junction Unified School District.