The 3rd and 4th graders went to Plimoth Plantation and
experienced life as it was in 17th century Massachusetts. In school we
have been studying the Wampanoag tribe and how they lived. We were able
to see what we learned come to life in the Wampanoag village. We saw
wetus, longhouses, mishoons, and some students even got to play a
traditional Wampanoag game similar to American football.
We
also visited the English settlers, or Pilgrims, in their 17th century
village. We will be launching our study of the Pilgrims in the winter
and this was the perfect way to begin our exploration. Students visited
role-players and learned about the jobs, food and lives of the Pilgrims.
We learned that settlers got all of their pots and metal from London,
that they were prepared for a war with “Indians,” but hadn’t had one yet
and hoped not to and, perhaps the oddest thing of all, the Pilgrims
didn’t drink cow’s milk! The vivid experience brought the history of
Massachusetts to life and helped students understand what we have been
learning and ask questions to deepen their understanding.