A Tea Party Amongst Friends
Bells Elementary School fifth grade students prepare to go to a traditional tea party. Students are taught about manners and etiquette in preparation for attending the tea party. Lessons include the placement of the utensils and proper conversation that includes listening and speaking skills. Students also receive a formal invitation and are taught the proper format for responding in writing. On the day of the tea party, female students wear dresses and bonnets while male students wear shirts with collars and jackets. Upon arriving at the tea party, the students walk through a receiving line, greeting the hosts and hostesses. Students find their place cards and take their seats. A brief welcome by the hosts and hostesses follows with various demonstrations such as showing students how to make tea and fold napkins. Selected students serve iced-tea and cookies to the teacher and student guests who get to enjoy the snacks and engage in a proper conversation during a real-life experience. As a follow-up, the students then write and deliver thank you notes for hospitality. Should the students ever be invited to attend a tea party, they will be able to draw upon their experiences at Bells School.