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Please, thank you, and so much more….

6/29/2017

Marianne Chase

Recently, our third graders’ lessons have focused on cultures around the world, their different traditions, including their food, celebrations, and expectations. They have also learned about American customs and traditions and how our ancestors lived their daily lives.

In order to really immerse themselves into these lessons, the students watched a video about elementary students in the Bronx. The school featured teaches etiquette and table manners to their elementary classes. They found that the students are able to use these skills in the future, including job interviews and daily life as young adults.

Our teachers, with the help of some third grade moms, decided to have a sit down lunch to put their newly learned etiquette skills to the test. The Savannah Room became a small intimate luncheon setting, complete with place settings and cloth napkins. At each place setting, there was a fact about manners and etiquette, from how to sit properly to which fork to use for the salad. “Everyone is to wait for the whole table to have food before eating; no elbows on the table; sit up tall with your shoulders behind your ears.” My personal favorite is “make a small d with your right hand to remember where your drink is placed. Make a small b with your left hand to remember where your bread plate is.”

It was an amazing display of young children being very aware of their actions and those around them. They were making small talk at the table, asking for items to be passed, and waiting their turn. After coming in a bit late, my table kindly waited for me to finish up before getting our scrumptious dessert. We cleared our table, crossing our utensils and putting our bread plate on top of our lunch plate.

Mrs. Rachael and Mrs. Nowell definitely found the right combination to support hands on learning, while equipping each student with tools for the future. They taught their students not only about using manners, being courteous and thoughtful, but also about how these items have changed historically and have been passed down through the generations. It was an incredible lesson, and, hopefully, it will be a new addition to the third grade curriculum.

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