The past is never dead. It isn’t even past...William Faulkner
"The past is never dead. It isn’t even past"...William Faulkner. I agree with Faulkner and, today, I think there are 21 ten year-olds who might be of the same opinion as well. While these fourth graders are still in the elementary stages of cursive writing, they braved the challenge of writing a letter with a quill pen. Simulating their peers of over 250 years ago, students used real feathers, parchment paper, ink and blotting paper to 'pen' a letter of thanks to their parents. They were given instruction in the "art of the beautiful hand" or penmanship of Colonial Times and one hour to complete the assignment. The challenge : writing on paper without lines; manipulating a delicate tool without breaking it; using (washable) ink from a pot The reward: concentrating on a not-so-easy task; putting their learning into practice; a beautiful, endearing letter. The comments: "I like writing with the quills!" "It looks easier than it is!"...