Samplers were a way to show how well a child could sew. Learning to sew and embroider was necessary for making clothes, napkins and linens. Samplers usually had a short verse, the child’s name and date on it and were finished with a border using a variety of stitches. There are 2 versions here:...
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Classic pineapple stencil used as a sign of hospitality in colonial times.   Paint was scarce in colonial times. Stenciling was a way to decorate bare walls and furniture that didn’t require much paint. The pineapple was a traditional symbol of colonial hospitality. Materials needed: Colonial pineapple pattern paper plate for the paint scissors...
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Doing a time line to give your child an understanding the time it took for events to unfold. Ways to do a time line: It can be done on a single piece of paper with a line drawn with a ruler. Your child would mark off all of the major events and they can...
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The colonial tradesmen would make signs that hung outside their shops. Sometimes they were funny.  Many colonist couldn’t read, so encourage them to make a simple drawing of what your child plans to sell, make or repair on the sign. Materials needed: construction paper markers or colored pencils see sample shapes for signs Steps:...
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This simulation can be played with a group of children and I’m working on a  game board and the pieces. Materials needed: directions for each role printed out props for molasses – empty jugs or drawings of barrels props for rum – empty boxes or drawing of bottles of rum roles written on slips...
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To help you child get a feel of how arbitrary the taxes were then, do the following activity.  This activity works great with a group of children. Materials needed: Make a chart with the following suggested items to tax – be creative,  what would make an impact with the children you are doing this...
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One version of the game involves drawing a circle in sand (or with chalk or a piece of yarn on carpet inside) and players take turns knocking other player’s marbles out of the circle with their own marble. This marble is called the ringer. Other versions involve shooting marbles at target marbles or into...
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Paper was scarce and very expensive so every scrap of paper was saved. On special occasions like a wedding, a new baby or a birthday, gifts were made cutting paper into decorative designs that were treasured. This is a form of paper cutting that was popular then. Materials: Construction paper scissors glue patterns tape...
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You just need: 20″ of string or yarn 2 – identical, heavy buttons that are 1″ or bigger Steps to Make: Tie a button to each end of the string. To play: Have your child try to make the buttons orbit in opposite directions by holding the string in the center and moving their...
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Weighing pumpkins is always a fun activity for kids!  They enjoy the challenge of balancing the scale and seeing for themselves how much each pumpkin weighs. These are worksheets I came up with for young students and older ones.  They used gram weights but you could do ounces or a combination. Pumpkin Patch Fun...
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