Making Candles

Today first graders dipped candles like children did long ago. Children had daily chores that helped their families thrive in the new land. Pilgrim children gathered wood and carried water to the house daily for cooking, bathing, and laundry. They fed the farm animals twice a day. Girls helped their mothers prepare meals, sweep and clean heir homes, and tend to the gardens. Boys chopped and stacked wood, help make repairs to their cabins, dug post holes and built fences. In addition to their daily chores, there were "provisions" that had to made and stored for later. Candle making was one of those chores. It was a hot, time consuming job. First graders learned first hand how long it takes for hot wax to build up on a wick! A few touched the hot wax as they dipped. We were lucky to have mother helpers melt the wax for us, no standing next to a hot fire on a hot summer day! Thank you Mrs. Marchant and Mrs. Proden! We appreciate you both.