Signing The Navigators' Compact with a QUILL PEN

As we began our study of  Colonialism, 

we took a look a painting of the signing 

of one of the first frameworks of government 

written and enacted in the territory 

now known at the United States of America.

Signing the Mayflower Compact 1620, 

a painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris 1899

Reading and analyzing the primary source

There is just something exciting and intriguing about 

writing with a quill pen for a first grader!

So we gave it a try! After practicing letters and names, 

we decided to write real letters. 

We then came up with our own ideas 

for how to best govern our classroom 

and compiled them to become 

our own "Navigators' Compact."

Like the early settlers, we want a government that is 

for the good of the people, is fair, 

and ensures freedom and equality for all.

We gladly signed it, with a quill pen of course, 

and it hangs in a prominent spot in our classroom.