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What It’s Like to be in a Colonist’s Shoes: Peck Fourth Graders Feel the “Marshmallow Tax” Struggle!

What It’s Like to be in a Colonist’s Shoes: Peck Fourth Graders Feel the “Marshmallow Tax” Struggle!

Fourth graders in Lynn Tecza’s fourth-grade homeroom at The Peck School stepped back in time to explore the frustrations that sparked the American Revolution. Guided by their teachers, students took part in a lively Taxation Without Representation simulation during their social studies lesson.


In this hands-on lesson, one student was crowned king for the day, complete with a regal crown, while two other students served as colonial tax collectors, donning traditional white wigs. Each student started the simulation with a pile of marshmallows—their money.


The king, wielding absolute authority, declared taxes for arbitrary reasons, such as "having a sibling" or "wearing shoelaces." The tax collectors eagerly collected marshmallows from their classmates, while the rest of the students quickly began to feel the unfairness of the system. This playful yet impactful activity was designed to mimic the unfair taxation policies imposed on American colonists by the British government—without their consent or representation.


“The phrase ‘no taxation without representation’ was important to the colonists because they believed they were not fairly taxed without someone speaking up for them in parliament,” said Charlotte S. ’29. “The colonists thought it was unfair that they didn’t have a vote or a say in their government.”


Tecza explained that the goal of the simulation was to make the concept of "taxation without representation" relatable and memorable for her students. "By experiencing unfair treatment firsthand—even in a lighthearted way—students gain a deeper understanding of the colonists' frustrations and how these feelings eventually led to the American Revolution," she said.


This lesson not only sparked lively classroom discussions but also encouraged students to reflect on the importance of fairness, representation, and the rights that the Founding Fathers fought for. 
 

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