Botelle Beat

Text by Andra Moss
Photo by Chris Snyder

Botelle 5th and 6th graders spent May 14 in the one-room schoolhouse on Ashpohtag Road as part of the annual—and much anticipated—History Day. After several weeks deep-diving into Colonial American history as part of their social studies class with 5th grade teacher Chris Snyder, the students were excited to put their research into action. 

Students arrived dressed in colonial garb of their own design, ready to simulate a day in the life of a child from the 1800s. Schoolmarm Susan Webb met them at the door of the schoolhouse, where the students “made their manners” with a proper curtsey or bow on their way inside. Webb, who traveled from Alabama to lead her 18th History Day in Norfolk, led the class through a variety of oral lessons, augmented by an authentic New-England primer and slate. Her theme for the day was a classic gem from the period that stands the test of time: “To live, to learn, to strive, to excel.”

It wasn’t all McGuffey Readers and quill pens, though. Lunchtime brought the traditional swapping of colonial classics like bread-and-butter sandwiches, biscuits and jam, fruit and dried meats. Then it was on to the games—slingshot, greedy, hoop rolling and everyone’s favorite almost ballgame, peggy (named for the wooden peg one attempts to wallop with a stick).