6th Grade Etiquette

I had the great opportunity to go to Kenzie's class on the 5th and teach them a little about etiquette. We talked about phone etiquette, manners, how to set a table, and of course how to eat your meal etc. It was a lot of fun. The kids were great. They had good questions, and really seemed to enjoy it. The point to having the the class was then to be able to put it to use. So, on Friday the 13th for their Valentine's party they had an etiquette breakfast.
Their teacher strongly encouraged them to dress the best they could. Girls were asked to wear dresses and the boys were asked to were a shirt and tie. If they didn't have those things, then dress the best they could. They all looked so nice. There was one boy that only owns shorts. But he had on his nicest pair and looked good. One girl that had flat out said she would not wear a dress did show up in a skirt. They all looked good. We had the boys escort the girls to the tables and help them to sit down. We had card tables set up and decorated in the lunchroom for them. They ate yogurt, fruit and pancakes. They all did a really good job using their utensils even though some of them admitted that they really would have rather been able to pick it up with their fingers. We served them and they got to practice all the skills that we talked about in class. They talked among their own table, even though at first they may have felt a little awkward. They remembered to say please and thank you, and most of them did a good job of keeping their elbow off the table. I loved every minute of it. It was a lot of fun.
Although I do have to admit at the end of January, when I thought I was going to have to oversee the whole thing I wondered what I had been thinking back in October when I said that I would do it. But, the room mom did the food and decoration part (it was fabulous!) and I did the etiquette part. it was a great trade off. The kids were very respectful to all of us adults. Thanks to Kenzie's teacher for the opportunity. It was fun!!!