Connetquot Central School District

Mr. Sabinsky’s third grade class at Cherokee Street Elementary traded desks for dazzling gowns, suits and spotlight glamour as students celebrated “Oscars Day”, the latest installment in the class’s ongoing immersive learning series.

Once a month, Mr. Sabinsky transforms his room into a themed experience designed to bring learning to life. Past favorites have included “Super Bowl Day” and “Doctor Day,” each chosen to expose students to new professions, cultural events and possibilities. 

“Kids can’t become what they don’t see,” he explained. “I wanted to create environments that not only make learning engaging but also help them imagine new possibilities for themselves.” 

For Oscars Day, students walked a real red carpet before diving into activities inspired by the iconic award show. Math lessons took on Hollywood flair with problems like, “There were 9 spotlights on stage. If 2 were turned off after the opening performance, how many stayed on?” and “At the Oscars, 450 seats were reserved for guests. If 389 guests showed up, how many seats remained empty?”

Students also viewed examples of red carpet interviews before practicing confidence-building skills, including how to introduce themselves, give a proper handshake and engage in respectful debate. They watched clips of award-winning speeches before crafting their own, culminating in an afternoon awards ceremony where select students received trophies for their standout work.