Yesterday afternoon, Grade 2 students hosted a delightful tea party in the Valentine Center to celebrate the conclusion of their Beatrix Potter unit—a cherished tradition that has been a special part of DCD’s second-grade curriculum for over 25 years.
The tables were adorned with beautiful flowers and Beatrix Potter-themed tablecloths, plates, and napkins, and students and faculty guests enjoyed mint tea, strawberries, carrot cake cupcakes, and a platter of vegetables inspired by Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor’s garden.
A highlight of the celebration was the students’ readers’ theater performances. Working in small groups, they brought to life various tales from The Tale of Peter Rabbit series, engaging the audience with their collaborative storytelling.
As a backdrop for the tea party, students’ beautiful watercolor paintings of flowers and plants were displayed, showcasing the time they spent at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Garden at Elm Bank earlier this month. During this field trip, students enjoyed walking through the beautiful spring gardens and grounds before participating in a drawing and painting class, where they created colored pencil and watercolor masterpieces of freshly cut flowers.
To launch this special unit, teachers read aloud the picture book Beatrix Potter by Alexandra Wallner, leading to discussions about Potter’s life and what inspired her wonderful stories. Students then worked in pairs to read The Tale of Peter Rabbit and other Beatrix Potter books, answering questions, comparing stories, and learning new vocabulary. The culminating Beatrix Potter tea party was a special and memorable way to conclude this cherished unit, allowing second grade students to share all they had learned and created.
