[TheForge] living history demo for elementary students - what wouldyou talk about?

[Bob Willman]

	Why the name "blacksmith"? The finished product is typically black
as opposed to whitesmith, silversmith, tinsmith or coppersmith.

	The blacksmith produced all forms of iron stuff. Knives, forks,
spoons, all sorts of wagon and carriage hardware, hand tools, nails add here
whatever you can think of.

	Be prepared for the "WOW" when you pull the iron out of the fire for
the first time.

	Make an S hook and why is it called an S hook.

	If time is short make a square nail. You don't have to explain what
it is when you are finished they all know and are amazed. To be called a
journeyman nail maker one had to make 1000 nails per day.

	You can explain how the iron gets soft when heated and can be shaped
readily. Be prepared for "How hot is the fire" question.

	Also most young lads want to know how to make a sword especially the
older ones.
	What do you burn in the forge? What are you turning that handle for?
Do you get burned?

Those come immediately to mind. Enjoy! 


Bob Willman
Bowling Green, Ohio
The Eagle's Anvil
WB8NQW

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Eric Klaus
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 5:44 PM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TheForge] living history demo for elementary students - what
wouldyou talk about?

Greetings all,
  I've been asked to take over as a demonstrator at an annual living history
day for elementary age students.  Its a great event for educating youth,
with demonstrators ranging from blacksmithing to corn shelling to weaving to
making of candles, rope, soap, etc ....  We get about 20 minutes with each
group of 10 to 12 kids.

so, given the audience, what kind of TRUE facts would you talk about to an
audience of grade school kids about?  Looking for little tidbits to talk
about while demonstrating that will help keep their attention.  Maybe a few
tall tales, too, to test their deductive reasoning ... ;-)

Eric
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