Colonial Times

We have spent A LOT of time learning about the Colonial Period.

We began by learning more about the Mayflower.

Ms. Lolar, a kindergarten teacher, talked to the first grade classes about her Native American culture.  She brought in some baskets and moccasins to share with the kids.

We then learned what life was like back and how it wasn't easy. Students made diagrams of Colonial boys and girls.

And yes, I did have a boy color in his face green.  I think their colonial boy was a little sea sick!

For writing, students have to write their opinion on if they'd want to be a child during the Colonial Period.

Here are some writing samples (click to enlarge)!

We also completed a venn diagram comparing Colonial kids to kids now.

Phew, what a long post.  As you can see we've been quite busy.

Wishing you ALL a restful break spent with your family and friends. Here are 3 of us out of 5 first grade teachers wearing colonial hats.  I told them we looked REALLY tired and we needed tans.  It's been a loooong fall for us!!

Colonial Times

Students have been learning A LOT about the colonial period.

We began by learning about the Mayflower and why the Pilgrims sailed to the New World.  We created a bulleted list of facts we learned.

After the read aloud, many said they wouldn't want to be on a ship for that long! Sleeping on the floor, dirty clothes, and hard biscuits didn't appeal to them.

They also listened to read alouds about what life was like for kids during this time.  After each book we completed the T Chart for boys and girls.

Students learned school was VERY different too.  Boys had to bring logs to keep the fire going and if they didn't they sat in the back. Once kids learned to read and write they were usually done school. Discipline was also much harsher (YIKES)!

Next up, we'll complete a Venn Diagram comparing kids then to now!

The First Thanksgiving

Today I told the story of the first Thanksgiving.  For each part the kids added a bead.

Brown bead:  Pilgrims left England
White bead:  Sailed on the Mayflower
3 blue beads:  Long trip on the ocean
Green bead: Spotted land
Black bead: Long hard winter and many didn't survive
Tan bead:  Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims
4 beads for the foods served at first Thanksgiving
   -1 red: Cranberries
   -1 yellow: Corn
   -1 orange: Pumpkins
   -1 brown: Turkey

Here are their bracelets.

Colonial Day Activities

Today the kids went to other first grade classrooms to participate in some Colonial day activities.  Kids dipped candles, weaved, wrote with quill pens, and played some games.

I was busy with the games.  The kids had the opportunity to play hopscotch, marbles, and bowling.  Here are some pics!

Love this photo!  Daysin got a strike.  This was their reaction.  Priceless!! 

Colonial Day Venn Diagram

Here's the Venn Diagram we completed the other day on Colonial Kids Vs. Kids Today.

Some interesting facts the kiddos learned are...
1.  Kids served their parents dinner.
2.  They had lots of chores.
3.  Siblings shared the same plate.
4.  If you didn't bring wood to the school master, you had to sit in the back of the classroom.
5.  Classrooms weren't comfortable, they sat on benches, and it was cold.

Colonial Children

We've been reading and learning about Pilgrims.  Students listened to Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy and Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl.  We talked about the lives of children during the Colonial Period.  Life wasn't always easy, lots of work had to be done, and the children worked A LOT!

The girls and boys split up into groups.  They had to draw a colonial boy and girl.  I did ask them to use the book to be as accurate as they could.

It was quite FUNNY to watch how they worked.  The girls seemed to preplan everything and worked together coloring.

Put 10 boys on the floor with a large piece of paper and they were all over the place!  Even though at times it seemed like pure chaos, they got their work done!

Here are the pics!

I had just read Alice the Fairy by David Shannon.  Look closely and it looks like David (if you're familiar with the books) was around during the Colonial Period.  This pictures puts a grin on my face.  I just LOVE kid's artwork!!