VIDEO: Colonial Times Come to Life at Mill Pond School

Mop caps. Tricorn hats. Scented candles. Hoops. Fifes. Drums. Tin punching. Spinning tops. It can only mean one thing in Westborough: Colonial Day at -- complete with a boisterous town crier.

As they have done for more than 30 years, the fifth grade students and staff of Westborough donned colonial attire for a day filled with games, crafts, stories and music.

Why so much attention on colonial times? According to Kathy Swanson, one of Mill Pond's fifth grade teachers, "The fifth grade social studies curriculum is United States history, geography, economics, and government: early exploration to westward movement. The colonial times are fun to learn about and it's a great way for parents to be involved with their children's education."

Over one hundred  parent volunteers spent many months planning the day's activities, including chiseling wax for making hand-dipped candles. Many of them were on hand during Colonial Day, too, to guide the students through each event.

In addition to tin punching, quill pen letters, toy making, games, and candle dipping, there were three special guests. David Coffin transported the crowd back to 18th century Nantucket, to the days of his ancestors who settled there in 1659 (his great [x 12] grandfather bought Nantucket for 30 shillings and two beaver hats). Students traveled to the Pacific whaling grounds through lively anecdotes and engaging songs.

The fifth graders also marched to a different drummer on Colonial Day. Patriot Fife and Drum Duo entertained the students with familiar tales and songs. Yankee Doodle and Pop Goes the Weasel were among the sing-along favorites. The drummer, David Vose, is a professor at Berklee College of Music and in the Fife and Drum Hall of Fame.

Native American flute player and maker, Strong Eagle, of the Nipmuc nation, performed several songs on his melodic handcrafted flute. As he so eloquently describes his music, "The spirit of tree resonates through the flute as I breathe new life through it and give it a new voice."

When asked to sum up the day, Colonial Day chairperson, Pam Smith, said, "The kids thoroughly embraced the day. They all dressed up, approached each activity with enthusiasm and respectfully watched, listened and learned about the colonial era."

All in all, it was a fun day that reinforced some of the lessons the students learned during their unit on colonial times.

"I'd have to say candle-making is probably the kids' favorite, followed closely by colonial games and David Coffin. The kids are reminded of how times were much different back then and colonists used their limited resources wisely. It's a great message as we -- as individuals and as a school -- embrace the green initiative," said Swanson.

Smith did a casual survey of students at the end of the day and was surprised and happy to hear a different answer each time she asked what their favorite activity was. "Quill pen, candle making, toy making... I heard it all from boys and girls alike. This event has been going on for years in Westborough, but it is not getting old and it is worth the effort."  

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