Getting to the root of things

Suzie Harrison

The children were clapping their hands together in tune to “Yankee

Doodle Dandy” while young pilgrims and Indians marched in step for

the opening ceremony of El Morro Elementary School’s annual Colonial

Days tradition.

The two-day event celebrates the first colonial days and is a time

to give thanks for the many things like friends, family, school and a

free country.

“We want to know as much about our heritage that ensures our

freedom -- the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the Declaration

of Independence,” said Amy Jackson, parent organizer. “We’re

celebrating as the pilgrims and Indians did in 1621 for the first

Thanksgiving.”

The fourth- and fifth-graders gave a demonstration, making and

playing with some of the toys that were popular among kids in those

times.

“I learned how hard it was to make everything,” student Hailey

Zoellner, 10, said “I liked working with dressing up and working with

the instruments. There’s a lot more instruments today.”

“It’s a hands-on experience,” Principal Joanne Culverhouse said.

“The parents that are involved are very involved. It’s a wonderful

opportunity to bring the colonial days to life at this long-standing

annual tradition.”

Parent volunteers and area experts helped the students from each

class experience many different crafts along with food making.

“We made a colonial village that spans the Puritan period to the

colonial period,” Jackson said. “All the students, teachers and

parents dress up as Puritans, Indians or colonial dress.”

Kids get an opportunity to experience history through soap making,

candle dipping, rope making, corn-husk doll making, crocheting,

leather tooling and more.

“They didn’t have stuff like we do today,” Emily Writer, 10, said.

“Trying to kill animals for food would be hard.”

Jacque Nunez, a Wuanino Indian from San Juan Capistrano, did a

traditional Indian dance, and a tall ship sailor from the Ocean

Institute taught about the pilgrim’s sea faring days.

“I learned that in colonial days they didn’t have electricity to

have toys and had to make up their own games,” Brian Mendoza, 11,

said. “They don’t buy them. They make their own.”

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.