Blessed Sacrament students take a taste of British tradition

Intermountain Catholic

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SANDY - High tea was the flavor of the day for eighth graders at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School on Dec. 14. Just as in days of yore when the British working class enjoyed their afternoon tea, eighth graders hosted an affair of their own, complete with china cups and saucers, silver serving tray, savory treats, and delicious lemonade! The china cups and saucers and silver serving tray added polish and grace to the occasion in a world typically filled with disposable paper plates and cups.

The Tea Party was the idea of Kristi Oritt, middle school language arts teacher. The eighth graders were studying the Revolutionary War in social studies and reading "Chains," by Laurie Halse Anderson, in literature. The main character, Isabel, works in the kitchen of British loyalists in New York during the 1776-1777 time period.

"The students liked the book a lot-there was a lot of action and suspense," Oritt said. "The author did a great job of creating characters that you came to care about."

The book is the first in a three-book series that includes "Forge" and the upcoming release, "Ashes."

The Tea Party was the culminating experience of the Blessed Sacrament cross-curriculum unit. Recipes from the time period were handed out to the students and each participated by bringing in a variety of items. The students gained a lot from the experience of reading the book, studying the time period, and having a chance to celebrate a traditional tea that had been highlighted throughout "Chains."

High tea at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is sure to become a tradition!