Seventh-Graders Transform for Victorian Day

As the culmination of their research on Victorian-era London, our seventh-graders celebrated Victorian Day on December 19. After spending many weeks in class researching and discussing numerous aspects of the Victorian era, this event was an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they learned while, at the same time, enjoying the festivities of a Victorian gala. Students were encouraged to transform themselves into characters representative of the Victorian era, which included dressing in knickers and frock coats for the boys and hoop skirts and bonnets for the girls. In true Victorian form, all participants were expected to be on their best behavior – it was not uncommon to see seventh-grade ladies curtsey or gentlemen bow.

A drama class began the festivities with a reenactment of a "Scrooge scene" from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," followed by guest speakers John and Jan Danza from Dickens Fellowship who gave a presentation on Dickens and his legacy.

Another highlight of the day was the transformation of the MS dining room into a busy mid-1800’s market. Each student was involved in some way, whether as a food vendor, street doctor, boardman, or shoeblack.  They offered their goods and services to the fourth-grade classes who paid a visit to one of the "banks" at the start of the market.  Goods and services could be purchased using the "pence" and "shillings" students had earned in classes for excellent work and good behavior.


After the market, students participated in a game and a festive round of Victorian-style dancing. For several weeks, students had been practicing traditional dances and were able to show off their waltzing skills in front of faculty members and parents.