Colonial Day at Upper Nyack Elementary

As part of the Upper Nyack School’s fourth grade study of Colonial American history, the fourth grade and 3/4 Multiage classes will participate on Thursday, May 10 in the school’s Second Annual Colonial Day.

At the heart of Colonial Day are exciting activities to engage students in learning what it was like to live during colonial times. Giving children a hands-on experience always helps them to remember things they learn, as well as, to create a fun learning experience. Studies prove kids need an anchor to connect their learning in order to remember details. One of the most valuable and educational aspects of the experience is for the students to realize that this learning experience was a reality for the colonials.

In conjunction with the fourth grade curriculum, students learned about the evolving nature of colonial culture. They learned how it was different than that of the English mother country and resulted in a new American culture.

Part of that was learning about how settlers adapted to their new environments and how colonial life evolved.

Students will set up an encampment and spend the day living as a Revolutionary War soldier in full uniform. With the assistance from the Living History Education Foundation students have realistic costumes and props. Mr. Rich Bala, an expert in the field of Colonial music, and several professional re-enactors from a Revolutionary War local history group, will help make this a meaningful and memorable experience for the students. Stations depicting authentic colonial life will be set up for students to rotate through with hands-on experiences and interactions with artifacts.

Students and staff are very excited and looking forward to this unique experience, which memorably complements the Social Studies curriculum.