Sure, you could open a textbook to learn about the Revolutionary War—but living it is much more fun!

Grade 5 is fully immersed in our Revolutionary War unit in both social studies and literature. In addition to classwork, videos, and group projects, we bring history to life through engaging, hands-on activities that reflect the era. In literature, we are reading a classic historical fiction novel set right here in Connecticut. Students create illustrations, write thoughtful responses, and even develop their own scripts to bring scenes from the book to life. Each activity is designed to reinforce a reading strategy to improve their reading comprehension. In addition to the classwork, we spent time in the kitchen churning butter the old-fashioned way and baking simple apple muffins similar to those of the time. In social studies, students write eulogies for the Acts passed by the British, participate in a mock trial of the Boston Massacre, play simulation games, and sew individual quilt squares, on an antique sewing machine, that come together to create a class Yogibo cover. The Yogibo cover is similar to a scrap quilt, which is a technique used during the Revolutionary War Era. 

Studying this time period simultaneously in both classes deepens students’ understanding and strengthens their mastery of the content. At times, they even stop and ask, “Which class is this—literature or social studies?” This format is a preview of the humanities program in the upper grades. 

This year, students traveled to Putnam Park to experience a Revolutionary War reenactment on the very grounds of the encampment mentioned in our novel. We visited with potters, cooks and blacksmiths, all demonstrating the techniques used in this era. We also visited a tavern built in the 1700s, also the setting of our historical novel, where students wrote with quill pens and learned more about daily life during the era through interactive games and presentations. 

What a fun, hands-on learning experience to cap off a fantastic year in Fifth Grade!

Revolutionary War… or Revolutionary Fun? Fifth Grade Can’t Tell! 🇺🇸