Phenomenal Colonial Trade Fair

This past week, the fourth graders slipped into their colonial attire in preparation for the annual Colonial Trade Fair. They set up their hand hewn trade signs, laid out all their antique tools and materials needed to explain and demonstrate their crafts and skills, and then engaged all the attendees with their well researched knowledge. The classroom was delivered back to the 18th century. Parents, siblings and students from the Lower School came to listen, learn and participate in activities that gave insight into how difficult a job might be back then. When the fair concluded, the students went to the music room and learned to dance the Virginia Reel. They spent an hour dancing and letting all their excitement out.
The colonial unit in fourth grade is one that works across disciplines. The students have opportunities in art, technology, reading and social studies to learn and apply their accrued knowledge in their different classes. Students were thoroughly consumed by their research, creating their pamphlets in technology, carving trade signs in art, and they were transported  back in time by reading historical fiction stories.  This year's Colonial Trade Fair was phenomenal!