at my daughters' first school: EDITED

[elleng]

Last edited Mon Dec 8, 2014, 03:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Secret Shop Opens December 8!
12/6/2014
A beloved tradition run by 3rd graders, Secret Shop gives Primary and Middle School students the opportunity to shop for gifts for family and friends from a selection of new or nearly new items donated by Lowell families. Prices of items range from 50 cents to two dollars. Classes will have time to shop next week. Each student should bring a shopping bag with handles, 4 pre-addressed gift tags (provided ahead of time), and an envelope with money stapled to the bag.

Donations will be accepted through Friday Dec. 5. Current needs include: men's, pet, and household gift items. If you'd like to help with sorting donated items, pricing items, setting up the shop, decorating the shop, and helping the 3rd grade run the shop, you can SIGN UP HERE for weekend or weekday slots.

Project learning opportunities like Secret Shop are an exciting way for students to actively engage in learning.

Mathematics plays an important role in successfully running the shop. Students hone their mental math and money handling skills as they prepare to be cashiers. They learn to quickly and accurately add purchases and give correct change. Spatial relationships are explored as students wrap gifts of various sizes and shapes—an excellent introduction to an upcoming geometry unit.

Students practice social skills as they work as personal shoppers, assisting customers in finding just the right gift. Eye contact, greetings, listening, and conversation skills are required. Teamwork is vital as the students work together to run the shop.

Third graders relish this opportunity to develop their skills as leaders and role models. This project empowers 3rd graders to serve the Lowell community and act as change agents for the community at large.

The students are currently deciding which local charities they would like to support with the proceeds from the shop. Once decided, the students write letters to the charity of choice to accompany the proceeds from the shop, as well as thank you letters to the parents who chair the event. This activity wraps up the experience and reinforces paragraph composition and letter writing skills.


I'm wearing a ring my daughter gave me, from the Secret Shop, 20 years ago!

Here's a picture of the kids at the Secret Shop:

https://www.facebook.com/lowellschooldc/photos/pcb.984296468251221/984295938251274/?type=1&theater

[NYC_SKP]

1. Excellent and meaningful activities, Secret Shop has been adopted at other schools, too!

I'm glad this is done where it's done, and I'm sad that at some schools it would probably be restricted or disallowed for reasons ranging from religious intolerance to liability concerns.

Bah, this is good old school education, community work, project based, and I love it!