(SPS) --- Fifth graders from Sapulpa's four elementary schools, Freedom Elementary School, Holmes Park Elementary, Jefferson Heights and Liberty Elementary STEM Academy, gathered for Revolutionary Day on Thursday.
The annual interactive social studies event is in its fourth year. Students are immersed in the everyday activities of colonial Americans.
"It's really a hands-on extension of the fifth grade social studies curriculum," said Freedom Elementary fifth grade teacher Jessica Nicholson, who helped develop the program. "That curriculum includes the settlement of the thirteen colonies and the American Revolutionary War. It's really about getting them excited about what they're learning."
Throughout the day, students saw presentations from historical actors, made tin punch art, crafted corn husk dolls with Sapulpa's Indian Education department, played colonial games, danced, and joined Sapulpa High School Marine Corps JROTC for soldier drills.
Thanks to a partnership with Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, historical actors visited Sapulpa for Revolutionary Day. Actors from Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, performed historical portrayals of Marquis de Lafayette and James Armistead Lafayette.
Tom Plott came from Mount Vernon, Virginia, to bring Dr. James Craik, George Washington's personal physician, to life for students. He showed them how medical intervention was performed on the battlefield during the Revolutionary War.
District STEM Coordinator, Megan Cannon, has been putting together the annual Revolutionary Day program since its inception. She hopes to see it grow each year. This year, fifth graders from Depew and Lone Star school joined in.
"Students are learning about the foundation of America," said Mrs. Cannon. "Seeing what the founders of America went through helps make them well-rounded students and citizens."
The Daughters of the American Revolution also presented essay contest winners with gift cards. Essay contest winners included:
3rd Place: Malachi Porter, Freedom Elementary
2nd Place: Emrie VanDolah, Freedom Elementary
1st Place: Tvffoupv Tecumseh, Holmes Park Elementary
Thank you to our parent and community volunteers for their efforts in helping making Revolutionary Day successful.
SPS is grateful to Foundation Church of Sapulpa for providing a location for this year's program.