A Lesson in Community

Could you name six things for which Moorestown Quaker settlers were known?

If you’re a member of the Class of 2020, you could.

Approximately 300 third-graders from , and Elementary Schools gathered at the Monday during the 11th annual Third Grade Unity Day.

The students began the daylong event in the ballroom, watching as classmates battled in the Knowledge Bowl, asking questions about Moorestown history in categories such as Architecture and Location, People, Revolutionary War, Hodge Podge and Early History.

All three schools were represented on each team of five. The questions related to the third-grade curriculum, which encompasses Moorestown history.

The event, organized by South Valley teacher Joyce Peacock, serves three purposes: It gives the students a chance to show their knowledge of Moorestown history, they practice letter writing skills with pen pals from other elementary schools and they get to know one another as they prepare to go to the next fall.

“They will no longer be three schools, they will be united as a class,” said Peacock. “We are promoting the idea of unity and learning to be a good citizen.”

In addition to the Knowledge Bowl, the students participated in 13 stations that involved different aspects of colonial life and the Lenape Indians. Students got to write with quills; played marbles, 9 pins and quoits; they learned riddles and tongue twisters. Students spend the day with their pen pals, moving through the stations, manned by volunteers.

“They are getting familiar with one another as they get ready to go to the UES,” said Peacock. "This is the first time they are all together as a class."

And in case you're asked, Quakers were known for silk, steel, chocolate, matches, biscuits and iron.