The word heritage has new meaning for our fourth graders. After having read “The Sign of the Beaver,” our students compared the two cultures presented in the novel through the eyes of two boys. The students then compared our culture with the Native American culture. They were surprised to discover that there are similarities. This then led to a journey to discover details of their heritage. Students researched the history of their name, located their country of origin, learned about a special heirloom, learned about descriptive writing, created a cookbook and interviewed a relative. In addition to the many research and writing skills the students learned about their past. It was so exciting to learn about the history of a special necklace or the story of a lion skin. On Wednesday, as a culmination of the entire process, the students performed a beautiful medley, shared highlights of their process and then welcomed their guests to a fascinating heirloom museum. The students were beaming with pride as they shared their stories. May the stories of their past help guide their future.