The classic story of Robin Hood came to life for Tyrone elementary students at the annual Medieval Fair held yesterday behind the Tyrone High School
The Fair serves as the culminating activity for the Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest novel unit completed by sixth grade students in Robyn Chamberlain’s, Elaine Conrad’s, Kathy Baird’s and Steve Stoner’s classrooms.
“Recreating a fair from the Middle Ages allows each student the opportunity to incorporate the knowledge and skills obtained while reading the book,” said Conrad. “In addition, the students are expected to use skills essential to any future job performance such as designing and creating a project, working cooperatively, and following directions.”
The Fair was operated by the sixth grade students, who invited both the second grade and fourth grade to participate. For the last few weeks, sixth grade students have been busy designing and constructing medieval costumes and activities that were common in the times of knights, queens, kings and dragons.
“Each student made portions of his or her own costume as well as developed archaic language used to converse with the locals,” said Chamberlain. “It all adds to the atmosphere we tried to create for our visitors, as well as being a lot of fun.”
And everyone did have a good time.
“This is a whole lot of fun,” said sixth grade student MaryElyn Hunter, who was in charge of the spear tossing game. “We had a lot of fun reading the book and getting ready for this fair. Everybody seems to be having a good time.”
Whether it was jousting whiffle balls off tees while mounted on a tricycle, or shooting Nerf arrows at targets, everyone who participated learned a little something about what Robin Hood and his Merry Men may have experienced in the fantasy lands.
“I think we are learning, and having fun as we go,” said Marcus Shauf, a sixth grader who was battling Jesse Light at the “Log Sack Battle” activity.
There were also several demonstrations, including a dance with the queens of the kingdom.
Also, Mark Shields, father of sixth grader Lizzie Shields, and a member of the Society for Creative Enactorism, brought along a full set of chain mail armor, complete with a steel helmet and steel gauntlets, for the students to try on and walk around in.
“This is a great activity for the children that allows them to get a hands-on experience in connection with what they’ve been studying,” said Stoner.
