KING COUNTY 4CULTURE CURIOSITY PASS

Enriching K-12 Education Through Cultural Immersion: The Tea Ceremony Field Trip Experience

Bringing history, art, and mindfulness to life for your students with an unforgettable field trip to the East-West Chanoyu Center (EWCC). This immersive experience aligns seamlessly with K-12 curricula in social studies, visual arts, and social-emotional learning (SEL), helping students build cultural awareness, empathy, and critical thinking skills in a hands-on, engaging way.

Organization

East-West Chanoyu Center (EWCC) South Weller Street, East Building 2nd Floor, Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington Contact: Bonnie M. Mitchell | ewccseattle@gmail.com | (206) 328-6018   <east-westchanoyucenter.org>

Experience Discover the art of the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu)—a centuries-old practice that embodies harmony, respect, and mindfulness. Hosted in our authentic tearooms at the historic Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington, this field trip transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences, supporting diverse learning styles and promoting inclusivity.

Key Educational Objectives:

  • Cultural Appreciation: Introduce students to the historical and philosophical roots of the tea ceremony, connecting to themes of global heritage and cross-cultural understanding.

  • Social-Emotional Growth: Embeded mindfulness and etiquette practices enhance SEL skills like self-awareness, empathy, and respectful communication—aligned with CASEL frameworks.

  • Interdisciplinary Connections: Links to social studies (world history, cultural diversity), arts (aesthetics and design), and even language arts (storytelling through ritual).

Field Trip Highlights (1-Hour Program):

  • A guided demonstration of the tea ceremony by expert practitioners.

  • Hands-on participation, where students experience the tea ceremony in a supportive, interactive setting.

  • Q&A session with cultural experts to deepen understanding.

  • Bonus: Explore the Hosekibako gift shop and take a self-guided audio tour of Japanese American history for extended learning.

Pre-Trip Resources: Access free, teacher-ready materials, including lesson plans and readings from the Association for Asian Studies: What is Teachable About Japanese Tea Practice?. These help integrate the experience into your classroom seamlessly.

Post-Trip Activities: Encourage reflection through flexible projects like essays, artwork, or presentations, reinforcing curriculum ties and allowing students to showcase their growth.

This field trip is designed for flexibility—adaptable for grades K-12, with modifications for younger learners (e.g., simplified rituals) and deeper discussions for older students.

Planning

We've made logistics easy to minimize your workload:

  • Transportation: Provided FREE by King County Metro—hassle-free rides for your class.

  • Program Fees: Just $15 per student (scholarships available for qualifying schools; inquire for details).

  • Group Size: Accommodates 10-20 students per session; multiple sessions available for larger groups.

  • Scheduling: Thursdays and Fridays with flexible dates and times to fit your school calendar—book early for peak seasons!

Evaluation

Measure the impact with built-in tools to demonstrate value for your administration and funding sources:

  • Student Learning Outcomes: Pre- and post-assessments track gains in cultural knowledge and SEL (target: 80% proficiency).

  • Engagement Metrics: High participation rates and student surveys to gauge excitement and retention.