Kandice Kimmel, Latin & History, 5th-8th

This is what happens when you let kids trade worksheets for whale blubber, blacksmithing, and butter churning.

My 5th and 6th grade history students spent weeks researching, designing, building, creating, and bringing colonial America to life! From whale hunting and blacksmithing to candle making, tailoring, farming, printing, and even making bread and butter, these students turned an ordinary space into a full-fledged colonial village.

They didn't just build displays. They became the tradespeople, learned the skills, made the tools, prepared demonstrations, and taught their visitors what everyday life was really like in 1776.

There was a whole lot of creativity, collaboration, historical learning, elbow grease, and probably enough hot glue to hold the thirteen colonies together.

We had Scrimshaw Shores, Tallow & Torch, Inn Dependence, Pins, Pleats, and Patriots, Patriot's Forge, No Taxation, Just Cultivation Farm, Liberty Press, and The Little House of Knead. And yes, we are just as proud of those names as we are of the work behind them!

I am incredibly proud of these kids! They worked hard, learned a tremendous amount, stepped outside their comfort zones, and proved that history is a whole lot more fun when you get your hands dirty.

Thirteen Colonies. Countless hours. A ridiculous amount of creativity. Zero indoor plumbing.

The revolution may have been brewing in 1776, but the real chaos was happening right here!

A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Denise. Without her, projects like this would not be possible.

My fifth and sixth grade history students had a firsthand look at the art and science of bladesmithing today! We are studying life in colonial America and the importance of occupations such as blacksmiths and bladesmiths, tailors, candle makers, farmers, etc.

In colonial America, blacksmiths were essential, crafting and repairing tools, horseshoes, nails, and farming equipment that kept communities running.

Students saw how heat makes metal easier to shape and how hammering and heat treatment change its properties. This hands-on experience connected colonial craftsmanship with science concepts like heat transfer and physical changes, reminding us that history comes alive when we can see it, hear it, and experience it!

My sixth grade history class enjoyed a visit to City Hall last week in honor of Constitution Week. They recited the Preamble from memory as Mayor Bruggeman signed the official Constitution Week proclamation. Afterward, we enjoyed lunch and a historical tour of City Hall led by Matt Soloman, Texarkana’s historian.

Kandice Kimmel, Latin & History, Grades 5-8

All St. James Day School middle school students get to choose from a variety of electives. I teach a skill that is near and dear to my hear-cooking!

Teaching children to cook is an essential life skill that builds independence, boosts confidence, and promotes lifelong health. Also, children who help prepare food are more likely to try new ingredients, eat more fruits and vegetables, and become less picky eaters!

Learning to conjugate verbs in Latin is an important skill because it unlocks the structure of language, builds critical thinking skills, and connects you to thousands of years of history!