From the Assistant Principal: Fifth Graders Explore the American Revolution at the MFA
3/21/2025 7:10 am
Dallin fifth-graders have been learning about the American Revolution, exploring the causes, events, and impact of this pivotal moment in our country’s history. To bring their learning to life, Ms. Greenland, our talented art teacher, organized a field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston for each fifth grade class. Mrs. Kulshrestha’s class was the first to visit the museum this week and I got to join them! The trip provided students with an incredible opportunity to see artifacts, paintings, and historical objects that connect directly to their social studies lessons.
Equipped with clipboards and charcoal pencils, the students spent 20 minutes in each of the three sections dedicated to the American Revolution. They meticulously examined paintings, silver artifacts, period furniture, and miniature ship models, sketching the pieces that captivated their interest.
“We’ve been learning about the American Revolution and the colonies, and about all the taxes,” reported Benjamin, one of Mrs. Kulshrestha’s students. “Going to the MFA helped us see what life was like back then—what they wore, what they used, and even the fancy silver teapots.” One highlight for many students was the detailed portrait of Henry Knox, a Revolutionary War hero. “I drew that painting in my sketchbook,” Benjamin added. “It was really detailed and cool.”
Ray, another fifth grader, was particularly impressed by an intricately designed sword. “It had an eagle’s head on it and was made of steel. It looked really cool.” Sylvie was drawn to an elegant dress on display. “It looked like a wedding dress and was in such good condition. It was really beautiful.” Many students also watched a woodworking video that demonstrated how furniture from the era was made, and they loved the model ships on display.
Reflecting on what they’ve been learning in class, students shared strong opinions about British taxes: “The taxes were unfair because the colonies had no representation,” Sylvie explained. “They had no say in the decisions being made, and they were just forced to pay.” Ray added, “Without the taxes, they might not have had a revolution at all.”
Their advice for upcoming classes visiting the MFA? “Pay attention to what’s in the paintings—they give you big clues about what life was like,” Sylvie suggested.
This trip was an engaging experience that brought history to life, and we can’t wait to hear what the next two classes discover. A big “thank you” to Ms. Greenland for creating this opportunity and to Dallin’s PTO for funding these great learning adventures!
Best,
Sam
