by Catherine Dwyer | Fourth Grade Class Teacher
Grade four is exploring the Norse myths for their first block. In support of this learning and to prepare for Michaelmas, the class has been going on field trips with me every Friday this month to the Mountain View campus, where they are forging handles for their shields with Farmer Phil in the smithy.
Each student worked with Mr. Dwyer to hammer the red-hot iron to form their handle. While everyone was waiting for their turn at the forge, the students sanded and smoothed their wooden shields. Then they painted their shields with primer paint. This week they are decorating their shields with their own designs. 
This last Friday before Michaelmas, the students will attach their iron handles with copper rivets and will craft leather arm straps as well.
The students are experiencing, in quite a lively manner, a line from their part in the Michaelmas play: “Shape me a shield forceful and fierce, stalwart and shapely to fend against fears.”
Grade four is ready to fight the dragon!
