Content+Studied+in+the+Colonial+Period

Content Studied in the Colonial Period



** Arithmetic ** Both boys and girls learned enough about simple math in order to manage the household. Boys, however, often studied more advanced mathematics if they were planning to attend college. See the link below for sample math problems dealing with English currency. [|Colonial Arithmetic]

** Art and careers **

In the middle colonies, a practical education was emphasized. Therefore, many children were apprentices to master craftsmen and tradesmen. For example, Benjamin Franklin was an apprentice to his brother who was a printer. For printingmaking projects, click on the link below. [|Printmaking Lessons]

** Navigation **

Celestial navigation, navigating ships by using the stars, was often studied by boys from wealthy families. The following link will give directions on how to make a quadrant. [|Create a Quadrant]

** Penmanship and character education **

In order to practice their handwriting as well as to learn moral lessons, colonial children copied passages directly from the Bible or from books like the //Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversations.//

** Phonics **

The New England Primer was the standard reader used in Colonial America. It was often used in public as well as in Sunday school. There were sections of the book intended for younger students and sections intended for older students. It included the alphabet and passages intended to indoctrinate students in the stern religious beliefs of the time.

** Spelling **

Colonial students likely copied words over and over many times in order to practice their spelling. They may have also practiced their spelling words out loud. In 1783, Noah Webster published the //Blue-Backed Speller.//

** The alphabet and poetry **

Reading, writing, spelling, and religion was the focus for most colonial schools. The hornbook was one of the first tools used to teach reading. This consisted of a wooden paddle which had a lesson attached that was covered by a piece of transparent horn. The lesson contained any combination of the alphabet, vowel and consonant combinations, the Lord’s Prayer, a praise of the Trinity, and a form of a cross. Click the following link for more information on hornbooks. [|All About Hornbooks]

** Other subjects **

Young men planning to attend college may have also studied Greek, Latin, science, geography, history, fencing, social etiquette, and plantation management in the South. Young ladies may have also studied art, music, French, social etiquette, needlework, spinning, weaving, cooking, and nursing.