Project: Complete!

Today was our big day--we taught a class of 5th graders about John Adams and his presidency. APU has acquired a complete set of Presidential Signatures, so history classes are taking the opportunity to teach the kids about each president, doing a few a year.

As you can see from the pictures below, we dressed up in costumes from the era, and had a blast.

We started with an eight minute brief presentation about different aspects of the presidency and the time period. Then we split the kids up into three groups, and had three stations.

One station had quills and ink, and we helped the kids sign parchment (that we made) that was a replica of the actual signature of John Adams that the University has.

Another station (mine) taught about food and culture (and clothing). We gave the kids pumpkin pie and tea, as well as colonial hats (to the boys) and bonnets (for the girls). I played the mandolin, as well, to show folk music--which was the music of the time.

The last station was games that they played back then. They played "quoits", which is the game that "horseshoes" came from, and we gave them all a clay marble as a souvenir.

The kids loved it, and we had a great time. I'm just relieved that this is over--it has been so much fun, but SO much work went into it. :)

Enjoy the pictures--we got many stares as we walked around campus!