It was not a typical scene Dec. 19 in Mrs. Hartman’s class. The Cedar Wood Elementary School fourth grade boys sported tailored suits and polished shoes, and the girls donned velvet and satin dresses topped with fancy hairdos and springing curls.
They said “please” and “thank you” every chance they got, and the boys insisted the girls go first in line for homemade cookies and hot cider.
They even made small talk at their assigned tables, discussing issues ranging from recess etiquette to their desired holiday plans.
“Can I help you push in your chair?” one boy asked the girl sitting next to him.
“Oh yes, please,” she answered with a courteous smile.
The event, created by teacher Fran Hartman and put together by parents, was designed to help students test their manners skills in as close of a real-life situation as possible. It’s the sixth year Hartman has transformed her classroom for a day into “Franny’s Tea Parlour.”
“You try to teach manners but you never really get the chance to put them in a situation to use them with their peers, not adults,” said parent Carolyn Smith, who helped serve tea sandwiches and other treats.
In preparation for the event, Hartman and the students spent about two weeks studying several manners books, covering everything from how to fold a napkin in your lap before eating to the proper way to hold a tea cup.
Each student also received a personal, formal invitation to the luncheon.
“It’s a great educational experience – this is all the little details, the things you don’t think to teach,” said parent Tracey Johnson.
While manners are important outside of the classroom, Hartman feels they are just as beneficial inside the classroom.
“You can’t have good learning if you don’t have kids getting along,” Hartman said.
The students said they too see the benefit of learning manners.
“It’s important so people respect you,” said Jordan Bolden, 10. “If people had manners, no one would get pushed or hurt.”
Classmate Mary Johnson, 9, added, “If everyone had manners there would be no car accidents.”
Still, the task proved overwhelming sometimes.
“It’s hard remembering it all – I almost forgot to push in her chair,” said 9-year-old Keegan Keitges, nodding towards Johnson.
“But,” he said, “It’s pretty fun to know all this stuff.”
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