In Social Studies the passage of the Mayflower complements our study of various explorers, the reasons for their explorations, and the effect their explorations had on the "New World". The trials and tribulations of the passengers of the Mayflower are explored using enactment groups. During these groups, the students take on the persona of a passenger, creating dialog relative to what their character may have been feeling.

In Language Arts the students are divided into several different groups to read literature selections pertaining to the Mayflower period. They use literature circles to better understand the work and to discuss the daily challenges experienced by the passengers. Each student also researches a real person on the Mayflower and takes on the persona of this character aboard ship.

In Mathematics, Colonial math facts and solutions are often given in verse. Students read unusual rhymes to find the answers to math problems. We also discuss units of measure during that time and why they aren't used anymore.

The science component of the Mayflower unit focuses mainly on the navigational trends used during the time period. Students learn how sailors crossed the ocean using little more than the stars and a compass. They also learn how time was kept, how sailors measured the speed of the ship and the depth of the water, as well as some of the diseases that were common on board.

After a great deal of preparation students spend an entire day in December on the Mayflower ship. The multipurpose room is transformed into the interior of the Mayflower. The room is divided into small squares to represent the space that the passengers would have had on the ship. Students stay in these spaces for the entire day while they perform various activities that were appropriate for the time. When students arrive to board the ship they are dressed in full costume and everyone aboard is also in appropriate dress. Some of these activities include making pomander balls, making and writing in journals with ink and quill pens, making and using traverse boards, making butter and gingerbread, and playing games of that time such as Dominos and Nine Man's Morris. Also, they are entertained by musicians performing appropriate music of the time. They also are served food of dried meats, fruit, hard tact, cheese, and limes for scurvy, oatmeal and so much more. They will eat this food with only primitive utensils. This kind of across curriculum integration is the type of experiential learning that is found on a regular basis in the fifth grade at The Magellan Charter School.