Visiting the 1700s at Riley's Farm
Time travel seems impossible, but the 5th grade, on their recent field trip to Riley's Farm, traveled back in time to experience life in the 1700's. At Riley's Farm, the whole staff is dressed as they would have been at the time of the Revolutionary War. Everyone speaks with the English accent they would have had then. Their clothing is authentic: the men wear pony tails, the women have bonnets over their long hair, and the material of their clothing appears to be home-spun. Visitors really feel like they've stepped back in time. Students experienced ...
... life in the Colonies:
The Revolutionary War era games played by children during this time were fun, but very basic. They were variations of what you can do with a hoop or a ball and a stick or two. One of the games - keeping the barrel ring rolling with a stick - was very difficult, particularly because the games were played on non-flat, non-paved surfaces. There was a levered contraption that allowed one to pitch to oneself and hit the ball (hacky sack) with a flat bat. Last but not least, the students played a game of catch in which one uses two sticks, at first crossed and then moved apart, to fling a circular round hoop through the air to your partner.
Both boys and girls enjoyed weaving on small looms, as did the female colonists in the 1770s so as not to pay taxes on cloth from England.
A 1770s courtroom trial was spectacular! While completely unfair, the Colonial judge was brilliant. After the trial, he helped the students discover how much improved our court system is - based on our Constitution - than was the court system we had just seen. In this Admiralty Court, the judge was the prosecutor, the jury, and the judge. There was no defense counsel. When the judge fined a defendant, half went to the King of England and half went to the judge, himself. What an incentive to find the accused guilty and impose a large fine. We all left with a new respect for our legal system.
Our students also played colonists who had to go see the tax collector. The tax collector was attempting to collect taxes for England based upon the Stamp Act. Led by the first two Berkeley Hall fifth graders to speak to this representative of King George III, all refused to pay the taxes - even upon threat of imprisonment! It was fantastic to see that the students did not buckle under the pressure of the tax collector's intimidation. Students' refusal to pay Stamp Act taxes was not mere obstinance! Their dedication to "no taxation without representation" was surprisingly strong and based in understanding and principle.
Many of the students' favorite was the blacksmith. He made a metal ball for the muskets - to be shot as a bullet. All were quite amazed at how quickly the molten metal hardened.
At lunch, students were given a soldier's small rations: a piece of beef jerky, a piece of cheddar cheese, and a small piece of corn bread. While many of the students enjoyed this meal, they were glad they had brought their own lunches to supplement the meager victuals.
Students all had a chance to march as if they were in the army. After lunch, the day ended with a battle – Tories vs. Patriots. Did you know that the Patriots (those who wanted to be free from England) initially fought in a straight line, just like the English soldiers? Well, now that you think of it - of course they would. They were Englishmen, steeped in the values regarding the honor of fighting in "the proper manner". This year, our children played the role of the Patriots when they acted out a battle. Our 5th graders lined up behind a stone wall (that did not include mortar). The Loyalists marched toward them. When the Lobsterbacks were close enough to our wall, we shot our [pretend] muskets! Because they stood in plain view, many of the British soldiers were "shot" and fell dramatically to the ground to indicate that these Tories had been killed. Students were quite shocked by how quickly it all happened. One minute there were soldiers, and the next minute those Loyalists were casualties of war. This small glimpse into war was quite an experience. Before going to Riley's Farm students had a sense of respect for the freedoms and rights we have in America. Afterwards, they had an increased appreciation for the soldiers who lost their lives on our behalf almost 250 years ago.
Experiencing life in the 1700s was a fun, learning experience shared by twenty-three students and half a dozen parents!
Back
The Revolutionary War era games played by children during this time were fun, but very basic. They were variations of what you can do with a hoop or a ball and a stick or two. One of the games - keeping the barrel ring rolling with a stick - was very difficult, particularly because the games were played on non-flat, non-paved surfaces. There was a levered contraption that allowed one to pitch to oneself and hit the ball (hacky sack) with a flat bat. Last but not least, the students played a game of catch in which one uses two sticks, at first crossed and then moved apart, to fling a circular round hoop through the air to your partner.
Both boys and girls enjoyed weaving on small looms, as did the female colonists in the 1770s so as not to pay taxes on cloth from England.
A 1770s courtroom trial was spectacular! While completely unfair, the Colonial judge was brilliant. After the trial, he helped the students discover how much improved our court system is - based on our Constitution - than was the court system we had just seen. In this Admiralty Court, the judge was the prosecutor, the jury, and the judge. There was no defense counsel. When the judge fined a defendant, half went to the King of England and half went to the judge, himself. What an incentive to find the accused guilty and impose a large fine. We all left with a new respect for our legal system.
Our students also played colonists who had to go see the tax collector. The tax collector was attempting to collect taxes for England based upon the Stamp Act. Led by the first two Berkeley Hall fifth graders to speak to this representative of King George III, all refused to pay the taxes - even upon threat of imprisonment! It was fantastic to see that the students did not buckle under the pressure of the tax collector's intimidation. Students' refusal to pay Stamp Act taxes was not mere obstinance! Their dedication to "no taxation without representation" was surprisingly strong and based in understanding and principle.
Many of the students' favorite was the blacksmith. He made a metal ball for the muskets - to be shot as a bullet. All were quite amazed at how quickly the molten metal hardened.
At lunch, students were given a soldier's small rations: a piece of beef jerky, a piece of cheddar cheese, and a small piece of corn bread. While many of the students enjoyed this meal, they were glad they had brought their own lunches to supplement the meager victuals.
Students all had a chance to march as if they were in the army. After lunch, the day ended with a battle – Tories vs. Patriots. Did you know that the Patriots (those who wanted to be free from England) initially fought in a straight line, just like the English soldiers? Well, now that you think of it - of course they would. They were Englishmen, steeped in the values regarding the honor of fighting in "the proper manner". This year, our children played the role of the Patriots when they acted out a battle. Our 5th graders lined up behind a stone wall (that did not include mortar). The Loyalists marched toward them. When the Lobsterbacks were close enough to our wall, we shot our [pretend] muskets! Because they stood in plain view, many of the British soldiers were "shot" and fell dramatically to the ground to indicate that these Tories had been killed. Students were quite shocked by how quickly it all happened. One minute there were soldiers, and the next minute those Loyalists were casualties of war. This small glimpse into war was quite an experience. Before going to Riley's Farm students had a sense of respect for the freedoms and rights we have in America. Afterwards, they had an increased appreciation for the soldiers who lost their lives on our behalf almost 250 years ago.
Experiencing life in the 1700s was a fun, learning experience shared by twenty-three students and half a dozen parents!
Located in Los Angeles, CA, Berkeley Hall School is a private, coeducational school for students in preschool through grade 8. Rigorous academics in a supportive atmosphere and grounded character development allow students to become fearless scholars and conscientious citizens - gain a love of learning, leadership with social responsibility, creativity with moral integrity, and self-esteem with compassion for others and the environment.