Fifth Graders Re-create a Colonial Village in School
December 3, 2014 by
The fifth graders just wrapped up our Colonial America unit. We wrote essays about Jamestown, performed skits about a colonial child and a modern-day child meeting, and debated a freedom of the press case from the 1700s. The two culminating events of that unit were a field trip to Mount Vernon, and transforming the school auditorium into a Colonial village.
We learned a lot about George Washington’s life at Mount Vernon. We visited his plantations, where we met a fifer and drummer, and we visited slave cabins where Washington’s slaves lived. Later, we visited his mansion, and learned interesting facts. For example, over the course of one year, the Washington family hosted about 200 overnight guests at their home! We also met “Martha Washington” who told us all about George Washington and the rest of her family.
A day later, we re-created a Colonial village and worked as craftspeople living in the 1700s. Each student learned a colonial trade. Some worked in trades that we recognize today, such as the baker and the doctor. Others worked in less familiar trades, like the blacksmith and the weaver. We researched, wrote, and then presented information about our jobs and roles in the community. On the day of the Colonial Village program, the fifth graders dressed up in Colonial costumes. Each child had a station displaying posters they created and models of their tools and finished products. Other students, parents, and teachers came. We got to explain our jobs to everyone! What a nice end to a fun unit!
