We were recently gifted "A Day in the Life," which is a DVD/CD-Rom series from Colonial Williamsburg.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  We have had a terrific time watching this.  Last week we watched the first DVD and the other night we watched the second DVD.  (You can see samples at the link above.)

     There are eight segments, telling about a day in the life of eight different people from different segments of 18th century society on the eve of the American Revolution, set in Williamsburg.  Taken from historical research, we learned about men and women who were slaves, free African Americans, gentry class, middling sort and apprentices. One of my favorite things about this is that all of the stories intertwined, showing that people across the spectrum of social class did interact with each other. We learned how they interacted with each other. We also learned/reenforced lessons in customs/life situations for different social classes, politics, economics and differing roles for men and women of the day.  Additionally, there are many references to events we are all familiar with (the Boston Tea Party) as well as references to scenes from Colonial Williamsburg's Revolutionary City.   

     My 16 year old daughter's favorite story was about a gentry girl named Prissy.  Her day consisted of the type of schooling she had, to train to one day be the wife of a gentry husband. She learned how to supervise the household,  practiced her French with a tutor and took dancing lessons.  (My daughter is often asked by the townspeople of Colonial Williamsburg if she is training in such a way herself.  Um, no....) Prissy's story was intertwined with that of an apprentice and a young slave boy named Dennis.  Someone needed to make the dessert for Prissy's party, but the best cook for this particular receipt (recipe) was the slave who seriously injured her leg.  Surprisingly, the dessert was made and it was as delicious as ever. It becomes a bit of a mystery trying to ascertain who made the intricate dessert???    

     My 14 year old son's favorite part had his favorite actor with all the contests (as my son put it).  This was a fun story with a great deal of humor and action which we all enjoyed. This segment told the story of a young gentleman, named Daniel, who lived on a plantation near Williamsburg. Daniel was the quintessential gentleman of his day, who was discovered by his father and another gentleman (who were the focus of the previous segment about politics) while quoting romantic Shakespeare, substituting Juliet's name for the young lady he was in love with.  He was a bit embarrased at getting caught and tells his friend, Percy, about it. Percy plays Daniel's literary foil, teasing Daniel unmercifully and pridefullly challenging him to a series of contests.  The contests include horse racing and fencing.  I could tell my son was experiencing these exciting activities vicariously through his favorite actor.  My son got to go horseback riding in Colorado a few years ago and he had visions of galloping off into the sunset across the top of the snow covered Rocky Mountain peaks. However, he got a plunker of a horse who wouldn't budge.  My son also enjoyed the fencing scene, because he taught himself fencing moves a few years ago when he portrayed a French Musketeer.  My son has seen very little fencing in any of the movies we have. This was his first opportunity to see how fencing works. While watching, he was calling out the different moves and techniques. How he would have enjoyed being there and participating! We all had a lot of fun seeing who played the fencing master.  Absolutely unpredictable! Then probably my daughter's favorite part was when they attended the ball. Percy was talking to one of the young ladies while dancing. My husband couldn't understand why.  I reminded him that during the dances back then, it was quite proper to talk while dancing. We've had the opportunity to dance with costumed characters at Colonial Williamsburg. My historic dancing partners spent their time talking pleasantries with me while waiting our turn to dance and while dancing.  It was a lot of fun!  While studying Pride and Prejudice, set a bit later than the CW era, my daughter and I learned that dancing was one of the very few times unmarried men and ladies were allowed to touch, by holding hands while dancing.  Dancing was an extremely special event and a form of dating.  I assume this was true even in the Colonial Era. However, we found out that romance was the last thing on Percy's mind. He was merely talking to the young lady to unmercifully tease her and his friend Daniel. He was quite the trouble maker.  It was all presented quite humorously. Daniel and the young lady definitely knew their proper manners. Sigh...poor Percy. Perhaps he will become a gentlemen when romance slips into his heart.     

     There is also a CD-rom which has a student role playing game. Additionally there are numerous  excellent lesson plans and activities. These are set up exactly like the Electronic Field Trips. (samples are at the link above) We haven't done any of these yet, but we are looking forward to them!