BY KELLI GILE
Westhoff students played simple outdoor games of the past. Sarah Barahja, dressed as a royal, mastered rolling the circle using a wooden dowel. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)
Westhoff students Michelle Jiang, Savarin Chilukuri and Natalie Olvera showed their cornhusk dolls. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)
Armando Heredia enjoyed playing colonial games. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)
Walnut — Westhoff Elementary fifth graders got a chance to experience 18th Century life during a Colonial Faire held on March 7. About 100 students, dressed up as peasants, royals, and soldiers were excited as they rotated through hands-on activities at the annual event.
Over 50 parent volunteers headed up each station. Students weaved rag rugs and cut paper whirligigs. They played simple games, learned quill writing, colonial dancing, made cornhusk dolls and hand-dipped candles. Students sat very still as parent volunteers traced their silhouettes. In the manners and etiquette station, they learned the importance of using a napkin.
“Putting on a napkin was a big deal during colonial days because clothing was washed only once a month. So they really tried to keep them clean,” said parent Katharina Tang. “Now, if you get your clothes dirty you just put them in the laundry basket,” she said.
After the morning activities, students looked forward to sampling delicious cornmeal Johnny Cakes and apple rings topped with cinnamon and sugar.
The event is the culminating activity on their recent studies on the colonial era of American History.
“Seeing all of the parent volunteers and teachers working together to make this event possible is really powerful. It’s good for the parents, good for the kids, and good for the staff,” said Superintendent, Dr. Robert Taylor.
