Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, September 26, 1994                   TAG: 9411090002
SECTION: NEWSFUN                    PAGE: NF2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACHER OF THE WEEK

Fourth grade

Oak Grove Elementary

Sue Hodge doesn't want her pupils to just learn about history, she wants them to live it.

Hodge, who attended the Institute for Teachers of American History this summer, came home armed with plenty of ideas on how to involve her class in "real hands-on" history.

Together with classes from Back Creek Elementary, Hodge's pupils plan to stage a fair reminiscent of Colonial times, complete with plays, puppet shows, crafts and dancing. Throughout the year pupils will learn about music, crafts and cooking, and will conduct scientific experiments similar to those that would have been done in Colonial times.

Hodge, who has taught for six years, says she hopes her own love for learning is contagious in the classroom. "If I can show them my enthusiasm, they'll always be life-long learners," she said.

"Mrs. Hodge makes you feel special. All the kids in my class love her," said the pupil who nominated her.

Married with five children and two grandchildren, Hodge is choir director at her church and helps with the Roanoke College Children's Choir.