When my teaching is inspired I see Al Capone sitting in the front row, Charlie Chaplain in the back, Mary Pickford taking notes and President Coolidge silent as ever. When my teaching is inspired history comes alive and my students are not just learning, but living and smiling. The photo illustrates part of a 1920’s character project in which my students took on the character of a politician, gangster, movie star, sports star or inventor from the 1920’s. They did a research project and presented their information to the class dressed and acting in character. Allowing them to select their character from a list gave them the opportunity to research something they found interesting and inspired them to do their best work. History is a story, and in this story they got to be the star.