Robin Hood Day Brings Literature to Life at Archway Veritas

The campus at Archway Veritas was again transformed into the Sherwood Forest for Robin Hood Day. This annual event serves as the capstone event to the fourth-grade studies of medieval history and celebrates their reading of The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green.

Many of us remember some iteration of Robin Hood from our childhood. This character originally surfaced in English folklore before being featured in literature and theatre and eventually having multiple Hollywood adaptions landing the big screen. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. He is an iconic character, traditionally dressed in green who “robbed the rich to give to the poor.”

“I am dressed as Friar Tuck, who’s a famous character from the stories of Robin Hood,” explained Trevor Guyette, a fourth-grade teacher at Archway Veritas. “In order to help the students get into the spirit of the day, teachers dress up as different characters.”

To add to the ambiance, wanted posters were hung throughout the hallways of the academy. Games and activities were all themed around the story of the heroic outlaw. “We’ve got a station called Capture the Gold, which is a modified version of Capture the Flag. It lets students think about strategy and teamwork,” shared Guyette. “And then they also get to make a Robin Hood hat, the classic green with a red feather.”

But arguably, according the Guyette, the most popular part of the celebration was the archery station. “Robin Hood famously is a long bowman from around the 1200s and so students are practicing their long bowmanship. In case of invasion by Normans or Saxons, we can fight them off,” he joked.

To celebrate the more heroic side of the character, Guyette said they had a station devoted to charity. “Even though he’s an outlaw, Robin Hood is dedicated to helping people in need. So, we partner with a local charity to make hygiene kits for people who need them and write notes of encouragement.”

But celebrations like this that bring literature to life for our scholars don’t just happen. They take a lot of preparation and hard work from parent volunteers leading up to and during the event. Guyette said it was a treat as a teacher to be able to focus on the experience with the students and not have to deal with the logistics of the event. “It’s really nice to be able to show up to be able to focus on the costume and getting the kids from place to place and just be able to kind of enjoy the day and not have to run everything. So, we’re really grateful for everyone who’s helping today.”

At the end of the day, it is all about sparking that joy and wonder in literature. “It really just helps them enjoy literature,” said Guyette. “We read literature in fourth grade especially for enjoyment. We do get into themes and things like that, but it really is just fun, right? learning stories that are essential. Characters from Robin Hood are mentioned in every kind of media, every kind of conversation. So, just being able to have that memory associated with the book, it’s really important and special.”

Now, my friends, let us pass in peace back to the Forest. We mean no harm to any here save those who would harm us. And if any is to suffer unjustly, come one of you without fear into Sherwood and there ask for Robin Hood! – Roger Lancelyn Green from The Adventures of Robin Hood

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