First-grade students in Mrs. Seljevold’s class at Ellen Hopkins Elementary School opened the Winter Wonderland Store on Nov. 15. The store provides free winter coats, snowpants, boots, mittens and hats to Moorhead students and their families who need them.
The service-learning opportunity allows the first-grade students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to help others in the community.
The students collected a supply of gently used winter clothing from their families and other students at school to stock their classroom store. So far, they have given more than 54 items to students to help keep them safe and warm during outdoor play.
The store continues to need donations of gently used winter clothing, especially snowpants (children’s sizes 8-16 blue and black), boots (size 3 youth, adult sizes 5-8), and most of all, warm mittens and gloves (neutral colors). Donations may be dropped off in the Hopkins Elementary main office.
Students are involved in different aspects of the project. Students made signs, and others track items that are distributed.
The tasks connect to aspects of the curriculum. The students learn writing skills by writing letters and making signs for the store. They learn math skills by tallying the number of clothing items they distribute. The project connects to science as the students learn about reusing and recycling and to social studies where the students learn about wants and needs and developing a sense of community. Students also learn personal skills of showing empathy and caring.
The store is open before and after school. Additionally, teachers, school counselors and school social workers contact the Winter Wonderland Store to place orders for students who need items.
