Manor Second Graders Join the Market at Snowflake Village

A holiday fair is a staple at any elementary school, allowing students to buy reasonably priced gifts for their loved ones. At Seaford Manor Elementary School, it’s also a lesson in economics for second graders. 

Not only do the students get to shop at Snowflake Village, a two-day event sponsored by the PTA, but they also make and sell goods. Young entrepreneurs from the second grade classes made a variety of products including bracelets, necklaces, keychains, mugs, ornaments, snowmen crafts and festive pens.  

Before Thanksgiving break, students spent a day working on the handmade goods with supplies donated by parents. Just like in a factory, they were responsible for keeping track of inventory and quality control.  

During the two-day fair on Dec. 12 and 13, second graders staffed a table, assigned different shifts throughout the day. They created displays, talked to customers about the products, collected money and kept track of sales. It was the culmination of an economics unit in social studies, during which they studied different concepts such as wants and needs, goods and services, and consumers and producers. 

All money raised from the sales will be donated to various charitable causes selected by the second grade classes. Second grade teacher JeanMarie Aplustille said her students already selected the Heart Print Fund, a local organization that supports families in need within the Seaford Manor community.