article on old school
Answers
Answer:
Life was very different in the "olden days." Most children had a full complement of chores and other responsibilities and quite a lot was expected of the youngsters in a family. Your students will be interested in trying their hand at some of the "chores" described in this project. Interestingly, candle dipping and butter churning were considered "drudge" work by most children in the olden days. Ask your students if they would like these chores to be part of their regular routine!
As your class participates in this project, keep in mind that primary age children are still forming a concept of time. You may wish to use less precise references to times past -- such as the "olden days" or "long ago before your parents, your grandparents, and you great-grandparents were born." The goal of this project is to provide experiences that will a)serve as a foundation for what students will learn about history in later grades and b) inspire an appreciation for the uniqueness of the past as well as the present.
To guide you in tailoring your olden days unit to the particular history of your community or region, contact the following places in your locality for field trips, class visitors, and artefacts to borrow:
• Local historical society
• Antique shop
• Nature centre
• Farm
• Vintage book shop
• Craft shop or local artisans' guild
• Farrier
• Living history museum
We have also found many books and videos (see Additional Resources) that are helpful in bringing this unit to life and providing additional details. As you plan your unit, consider whether you want to enjoy these hands-on activities over the course of a week or concentrated into an olden days festival such as a "Homestead Day." Your decision will probably depend on the availability of space and adult volunteers, but you'll find these activities give you lots of flexibility to tailor the unit to your own situation.