Thank You Letters for Abigail

This was my third year teaching the constitution lesson to local 5th graders, but it is the first time I have ever received...

  thank you letters from the kids! 

 One whole class wrote to me, 25 precious letters in all.  

I have absolutely loved reading them and looking at the cute pictures they drew.  What sweet and funny kids.

 

When I teach I really capture their attention with the objects I bring in my little suitcase; a replica key from Independence Hall, an umbrella, candle and holder, hammer, pictures of myself, Washington and Benjamin Franklin and a big copy of the Constitution.  The most popular comment was that they loved my blue dress (even the boys)!

 The most frequently asked question was whether the replica key from Independence Hall would still work or not.  I decided to contact the curator and find out once and for all.  She said that you could still use the old key to unlock the front door from the inside!  I can't wait to write the kids back and tell them!  They especially like the key because I let them pass it around the room and see how heavy it is.  It is an old fashioned, cast-iron key (lovingly pictured in the top letter).

I had a lot of kids say they were coming to the fair and couldn't wait to see me there, or they hoped I would come visit their school next year.  Some kids said they couldn't go but gave me good reasons why they couldn't. One kid had a football game and needed revenge because the other team beat them in the playoffs last year. Another said her mom had to work. 

 

This kid's note was short but he drew this great picture of a 

military chipmunk?!

What great kids (and teacher) to give me such an unexpected treat!

My Alter Ego

Some friends of ours, Bill and Ingra Norton asked me about 4 years ago if I would help them out with promoting Gilbert Constitution Week by dressing up as Abigail Adams (John Adam's wife) and travel to several schools in Gilbert to teach the fifth grade classes about the constitution.  They needed help because Ingra, the original Abigail, was quite pregnant and couldn't fit in her beautiful blue dress her mother had made.  I couldn't pass up on the chance to play dress-up and teacher at the same time.  I have helped them out almost every year since and it is so much fun.  I usually travel to about 5 different schools, one per week, and give a 30 minute presentation.  I start by asking them to guess who I am and why I am there.  The first guess is almost ALWAYS "Cinderella" or another princess.  Then I tell them I am real and I was born in 1744, and the next guess is either Martha Washington or Betsy Ross.  After a brief chat about me, Abigail, and what my life was like growing up when our nation was young, I talk to them about rules and why they are important.  I ask them where their classroom rules are and what life would be like without rules.  After joking around a bit, they admit they are glad to have rules and then I transition into when we needed laws and rules for our country, known as the constitution.  In my little suitcase I have all sorts of props, a hammer, a candle, an umbrella, a replica key for the door of Independence Hall and more, that help me tell the story of the Continental Congress and the birth of the constitution.  The kids are so great and have so many fun and funny comments when I am teaching.  I also usually go and give a quick 5 minute promotion to the 6th graders.  Another Constitution character, sometimes Betsy Ross or George Washington, will go and give quick promo's to the 1st-4th graders.  On or around Sept. 17, the actual anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, we have our big Constitution fair.  It is the biggest constitution celebration in the whole country!!!  We now call it Constitution Week USA. It's an outdoor event with food, games, activities, booths, free stuff, and great show (always ending in fireworks) Last year we had an amazing performer, Michael Israel, who painted beautiful giant murals with his brushes and hands.  He did this to music as he danced around and spun the painting around, working on it upside down at times.  It was cool to see how this seemingly randomness turned into a great work of art before your eyes.  He ends up totally covered in paint head to toe, some of the audience might too.  His original paintings sell for BIG bucks.  This year the very musically talented family, the Lowe family, is performing for us. They are a big family that has their own show in Branson Missouri where they sing, dance and play all sorts of musical instruments.  They are changing their show and making it unique for our constitution week. Can't wait.  The constitution characters, like me, are all dressed up at the fair and pass out trading cards to the kids.  This has become a much anticipated tradition and I am usually swarmed the whole night.  It's fun to see the kids that I taught who remember me.  Some will even take pictures with me.  You can see why I volunteer year after year!