Dipping into history with ink & quill

Thanks to a generous mini-grant from Heaven’s Treasure Thrift Store, the JPII 8th grade Social Studies students traveled back in time—feather quills in hand! The grant funded black walnut hulls, small jars, and goose feathers so students could create their own ink and quill pens just like early American writers.

“We made the ink by boiling black walnut hulls and water, brewed tea to dye ordinary paper into authentic ‘parchment,’ and carefully carved tips into classic quill nibs,” shared JPII teacher, Mrs. Angela Rossillo. “Watching the students roll up their sleeves and figure out how to make everything themselves was incredible.”

With their handmade tools, students practiced writing their names and beautifully penned prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, or Glory Be. “The best part,” Mrs. Rossillo added, “was seeing their excitement when the ink actually flowed and they could scratch their own letters across the page—it made history real.”

Beyond the novelty of walnut ink stains and feathery flourishes, the lesson carried lasting value. “Projects like this show students that learning is richer—and sticks longer—when it’s fun,” Mrs. Rossillo explained. “They gain a deeper appreciation for the patience and perseverance of the people who recorded our nation’s early stories.”

From swirling tea-stained parchment to the satisfying scratch of a freshly cut quill, our students discovered that sometimes the best way to understand the past is to get your hands a little inky!

To learn more about JPII visit johnpaul2school.org.