A Revolution

Each year, it seems the class will be drawn to one specific time period in American history, and we all get really into it. Past classes have been fascinated by the Cold War, or the 1920s, or the Civil War, but this year is was the Revolution. This class absolutely loved reading Johnny Tremain (a classic) and became so emotionally invested in the time period and plight of the colonists that I began to see colonial and Revolutionary paraphernalia popping up even outside of history class. Students were bringing me books found in the public library and at home about Revolutionary war heroes or life in the colonies. As a teacher there are few things more satisfying than seeing your students grab on to an idea or time period, take a real personal interest, and run with it. Throughout the year, I will ask questions about the founding fathers as bonuses on quizzes or tests (even in math--the kids actually like when I do that, but they hat when I give algebra problems has bonuses in history), and I am proud to say that 75% of the class gets them correct even though we haven't talked about them directly in months.

One of the unusual places that the Revolutionary War showed up this year was on the playground. The kids devised a game in the short 10 minutes that they have outside where they would take sides and fight their own Revolutionary War on the swing set and the hills. It always amazed me that they could come out the next day and remember exactly where they left off in the game, and the war would resume at the precise place they left off; and yet, they have trouble remembering a quiz/test that is written in three places and is mentioned at least four times a day.

In this particular game, the girls were the Patriots and the boys were the British. Their ammunition? Why, acorns of course. They were very excited to enlighten me as to the historical accuracy and significance of their new pastime. As soon as they announced that the boys were the redcoats, one seventh grader chimed in, "Yeah, and I'm the only Mexican in the English army!"

And another: "And Josh is General Ho" (instead of General Howe).

Close enough. It is the thought that counts. Their rich imaginations even at 13 and 14 bring so much joy.

Pictured above: the eighth grade in Williamsburg in November living colonially and loving it