By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

Ann Weigel Elementary School Principal Holly Coombs dances with a cardinal, the state's bird, (and Colerain High School's mascot) Friday during the school's Ohio Bicentennial Birthday Bash. (Photo provided) | ZOOM |

COLERAIN TWP. - In the first days of Ohio, Indians brought to us, Paleo people eating raw meat.

This catchy lyric, sang to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," drew "yucks" Friday from 500-plus students at Ann Weigel Elementary's Ohio Bicentennial Birthday Bash.

The morning event at the K-5 grade school in the Northwest Local District was the culmination of a yearlong study of Ohio. Today is Statehood Day, which kicks off the celebration of Ohio's 200th birthday.

The program at Ann Weigel featured dramatic presentations, songs, art displays, a trivia contest and a visit by Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich.

"You've put on a great birthday party here," Heimlich said. "And you know what's really good? You're learning about history."

BY GRADE

Each grade level at Weigel Elementary School studied a different aspect of Ohio history: Kindergartners studied maps. First-graders, symbols. Second-graders, cities and rivers. Third-graders, culture. Fourth-graders, American Indians. Fifth-graders, famous Ohioans.

The Ohio history study was integrated through all curriculums this school year, said Principal Holly Coombs, whose dance with a life-size cardinal - the state bird - had students laughing hysterically.

The Ohio Bicentennial program was the idea of fourth-grade teacher Teresa Maher.

Fourth-graders sang the Ohio Indians' rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

"I like the part about Paleo people eating raw meat - I would hate that," said Kenny Minges, 9, of Colerain Township. Cara Garner, also 9 and of Colerain Township, said she liked learning about Native Americans and how they used their hands to make everything.

"We learned how they lived, how they built their houses, how they hunted and what kind of food there was," Cara said.

As each student left the auditorium, they were treated to a red, white or blue iced sugar cookie.

E-mail annag1129@cs.com