Colonial Days lesson gives Trinity students glimpse of a different life

Wearing wigs made of cotton balls glued to white lunch bags, fifth-grade students at Trinity Lutheran School participate in Colonial Days learning stations Wednesday. At the "quilt station," students glued small paper squares onto a piece of construction paper to make a paper quilt. Seated from right, Maddie Homfeldt, Lauren Reid and Kate Bailey.
Wearing wigs made of cotton balls glued to white lunch bags, fifth-grade students at Trinity Lutheran School participate in Colonial Days learning stations Wednesday. At the "quilt station," students glued small paper squares onto a piece of construction paper to make a paper quilt. Seated from right, Maddie Homfeldt, Lauren Reid and Kate Bailey.

One thing the fifth-grade students could agree on was that they wouldn't survive colonial times.

There certainly weren't video games; and there was no running water, electricity or fancy toys.

The Trinity Lutheran fifth-grade students traveled to different stations during the Jefferson City school's Colonial Days to get a glimpse at what life was like more than 200 years ago.

They learned it was a simple time when everyone worked hard to keep the community going. Instead of spending hours in a classroom every day, many children did a long list of chores to help the adults.

The activities followed their social studies unit about the New England, middle and southern colonies, teacher Sarah Johnson said. The unit covered geography, daily living and reasons for colonization.

"They've been totally looking forward to it," Johnson said. "I've heard over and over again how they think this is so much fun, and it's a great review for their test."

Student Emma Fichter said her favorite colony was Georgia. She thought it was interesting it was formed by a group of Catholics seeking freedom of religion - religious freedom being one of several reasons colonies were formed.

She said one of the best parts of the unit was learning what life was like for children. She doesn't think she could give up her video games for simple toys made from wood.

At one station, students circled chores they do at home as part of a long list that children did in the late 1700s. Many of them said they help their parents with the cooking and cleaning, but in today's age, they don't have to worry about emptying the chamber pot, generally used as a night toilet.

They also sampled Johnny cakes drizzled in maple syrup. The cornmeal mash was usually made from breakfast leftovers and into a dense pancake fried on a cast iron pan for lunch, Johnson said.

Those who hadn't been to that station yet eagerly awaited their turn to make one.

"(Colonial Days) is awesome," said Kellen Dunn. "I can't wait to try the Johnny cakes."

Fichter said they were surprisingly good and they tasted a lot like today's pancakes.

Recipe for Johnny cakes

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

2 cups Rhode Island cornmeal

2 cups boiling water

½ cup milk (as needed)

Put the salt, sugar and cornmeal in a bowl. Add the boiling water, and mix thoroughly. Bake on a hot griddle greased with butter. Add milk to the mixture as needed so it keeps a thick consistency.