Hot Cocoa Group

In early December, CL told the class that he was going to Buffalo, N.Y., to visit his family for the holidays. His plan was to have a hot cocoa sale when he got there. During our reflection meeting, he expressed that he would like to have a hot cocoa sale at our school, too. Ms. Iris asked CL, "What would we do with the money we earn from the sale?" CL replied, "We can give the money to homeless people. They don't have any money for food." Everyone was in favor of having a sale, and all agreed that the money raised would go to help homeless people. The teachers are always striving to give examples of how to be empathetic and show compassion to others. This sale was a perfect learning opportunity.

Hot Cocoa Group: Marketing and Planning

The first official meeting of the Hot Cocoa Group was held on 12/5. The group consisted of BM, LY, CH, CL, JD, BH, and MF. At this meeting, the children offered ideas about location, time, and cost, and made posters for the sale.

Ms. Laura: "Where would you like to have the hot cocoa sale?"
CH: "Maybe by the office."
JD: "Outside our class."
CL: "How about the playground?"
CH: "By the place where all the big kids eat."

After discussing the many possible locations for our sale, the group decided that the best place would be right outside our classroom.

Ms. L: "When would you like to have the sale?"
CL: "When the moms and dads drop their kids off."
Ms. L: "How much would you like to sell the hot cocoa for?"
BM: "$100."
LY: "$200."
CH: "$2."
CL: "How about $1?"
JD: "$40."
BH: "$100."

The teachers noticed that the children's knowledge of price was based more on their knowledge of numbers than on an understanding of value. With a little help from Ms. L, the group realized that $100 is too much for a cup of cocoa. To help the children decide on a reasonable price, Ms. L showed the group some quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies, as they discussed how much each is worth. In the end, the group decided that one quarter was the price they would use to sell their hot cocoa.

Hot Cocoa Group: Accumulating Inventory

At the second meeting, held on 12/11, the children decided that hot cocoa would taste good with additional ingredients, such as marshmallows, peppermint sticks, cookies, and whipped cream. As Ms. L called out items needed for the sale, the children volunteered to bring them in.

After deciding what item they would like to bring in, each group member wrote a letter home to let their parents know what they would need.

Mom and Dad,
I need _________.
Love,
___________

Hot Cocoa Group: Day of Sale

On 12/13, excitement filled the air as the parents and children of the Hot Cocoa Group set up for their big sale.

When customers arrived, they were greeted with polite words:

CL: “Would you like to buy some cocoa?”
LY: “Would you like a peppermint stick?”
CH: “Would you like a marshmallow?”
BM: “What kind of cookies would you like?”
BH: “Would you like whipped cream?”
All: “Here’s your change. Thank you.”

The Hot Cocoa Sale started at 7:30am and ended at 9:00am. During this time, the Hot Cocoa Group accepted donations and sold hot cocoa and cookies to both preschool classes (children and parents) and also to Ms. Hitomi’s Kindergarten class.

During their Discovery Time, the Hot Cocoa Group met to count the pile of bills and coins. First, the children sorted the coins by quarters, nickels, and dimes. Then they made stacks of one dollar bills and put the quarters in groups of four. With Ms. L’s help, the children counted the money. Their grand total was $100.00! The children were so happy that they made so much money to help “poor people who don’t have food.”

The sale was a success. Not only did the children actually raise money for the homeless, but they also took the idea of one student, worked together, and planned and carried out their plan to help others who are less fortunate.

Posted on January 30, 2007 1:17 PM | Permalink