The Fifth Graders have spent the last few months studying the early colonies of our country. We have seen the successes and failures and learned from each outcome. We have spent a fair amount of time talking about the need for the early settlers to share ideas, cooperate and be tolerant of the differences they saw in one another in order for these early settlements to survive. 

We studied the Mayflower Compact, the document meant to bind, provide order and strengthen the commitment of the Pilgrims settling in Massachusetts in 1620. The students were then tasked with coming up with their own Mayflower Compact. In groups, they worked out the location, rules and principles for their colony. They applied the lessons they learned while studying the earlier colonies and made some appropriate adjustments. They talked, debated and argued for a few days while working on their document. And yes, one student even said, “ Can I work alone? This is too  hard!” My response was, “Yes, it’s hard, but would you have been able to survive if you were the only member of an early colony? Haven’t we seen that it takes new ideas, cooperation, tolerance and flexibility to survive? Is any of that possible with just one member?” He reluctantly agreed and he re-joined his group.

Of course, we strived for good and fair communication, careful listening, an openness to new ideas, out of the box thinking, compromising for the good of the whole and yes, morality. Signing their compacts with a feather pen and ink made this document even more authentic! This exercise highlighted the values this country was founded on. These lessons are so valuable and important for them and for our future. After all, Cura Futuri Nobis ~ The Future is in Our Care.