The Simms Reception Room transformed into the colonial village of Holton-Armsburg on Fri., Mar. 15, as the fifth grade hosted its annual Colonial Day. The event was the culmination of several weeks of interdisciplinary work in social studies, language arts, drama, music, and dance and included a variety of performances and activities.
Sherry Wells was inspired to bring the current iteration of Colonial Day to life when she became the fifth-grade social studies teacher several years ago. "I really wanted to create a capstone project for the fifth grade, in the same way that our sixth grade has Greek Day," she says.
In the morning, students presented dances, songs, and monologues for an audience of family members, faculty, and staff. "A critical part of our social studies curriculum is the inclusion of perspectives that were often missing in early American history," says Mrs. Wells. "Because of these missing voices, I intentionally focus on three in particular: Native Americans, Africans and African Americans, and women... All three of the [Colonial Day monologue characters] wonder about their part in a revolution for freedom that doesn't include their own freedom."
After these performances, attendees were able to tour the "town," where costumed students welcomed guests into their "shops": the tailor's, the tavern, the blacksmith's, and more.
Fifth graders then enjoyed a presentation on colonial instruments from David and Ginger Hildebrand of the Colonial Music Institute, followed by a butter-making workshop, colonial games, and a witch trial exercise and lesson meant to underscore the importance of open-mindedness.
It was an enriching day of programming for guests and girls alike, and an exciting conclusion to weeks of focused study.
View photo highlights from Gr. 5 Colonial Day below: