Children of the Revolution

Suzie Harrison

El Morro Elementary School fifth-grade students in Jamie Swintek’s

class got to experience a “Walk through the American Revolution” on

Feb. 15.

Students formed teams and won points by reenacting battles,

playing characters in costume, games and answering questions in

lightning rounds.

Moderator Amy Dilling made sure it was fast-paced fun for the

young revolutionaries.

“We’re going through the steps of the American Revolution,”

Swintek said. “We just finished signing the Declaration of

Independence and now are reenacting the Boston Massacre.”

Students were assigned to play pivotal “characters.”

“I was Richard Henry Lee,” Amanda McCrory, 10 said. “He was a

delegate and signed the Declaration of Independence. He helped lead

the patriotic cause in the colony of Virginia.”

Amanda said Lee introduced the proposition to unite the colonies

and helped add the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

“We did a mini skit and I got captured,” Amanda said. “I liked

that we got to play a game and learn at the same time.”

Jackson Yamasaki, 11, narrated the Battle of Trenton, which made

George Washington a hero.

“It was one of the first American victories,” Jackson said.

“General Washington did a surprise attack Christmas night.”

Jackson also played the role of John Hancock.

“He was the president of the second Continental Congress,” Jackson

said. “He was also considered one of the most dangerous

revolutionaries.”

Jackson said that Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence

in really big, bold letters.

“I liked reenacting the battle scenes and narrating Valley Forge

and Trenton,” Jackson said. “In that battle George Washington led his

troops and captured 900 German Hessians. In Valley Forge he helped

troops survive the winter.”

Amie Clay, 10, played Lydia Darragh.

“She played a part in the revolutionary war as a patriot,” Amie

said. “She helped them when she overheard a plan of British attack.”

Lauren Montgomery, 10, said her character, Abigail Adams, was the

wife of John Adams, the third president.

“Abigail Adams was a proud representative of the Committees of

Correspondence,” Lauren said. “The committees were about having

freedom and liberty, so every man and woman were created equal.”