Glenwood students learn more than just the ABC’s

Charity work is important to running a business BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR The Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce better get ready for a flood of new businesses opening up in a decade or so. Fourth graders at Glenwood Elementary School are ready to be a driving force in the future economic growth of not only the city but all over the state.

The fourth grade curriculum includes learning about Washington State and this year teachers Mary Beth Kurtenbach and Tricia Thorkildsen chose to create a learning experience which would include not only social studies but also math, writing, research, art and even computer skills.
The idea is to get the children to really put their heart and soul into the experience.

“It’s such a real world connection and they have ownership in their company,” Kurtenbach said. “It’s been more authentic learning.”

Students chose a county in the state and researched it, finding out what economic resources that county has. After their research was complete, they had to decide what type of “business” would work in that area, create a business plan, including graphing the costs of running the business and how much income they could expect to make.

One of the first steps was to visit local businesses and see what running a business really entails. After trips to Starbucks, Lake Stevens Books and Espresso and Haggen Food & Drug, students learned that it is also important to give back to the community you work in.

After choosing a business students were then asked to write a speech and design posters to encourage “investors” to invest in their business. Parents, grandparents and other students were asked to talk to each student and let them explain their business and show them their income and expenses, business ideas and why they feel their business will be a success.

Each “investor” was then able to choose 10 businesses to invest one hundred play dollars.

Jacob Jackson chose to research Gray’s Harbor county and chose fishing as his business.

“There’s a lot of fishing area and I really love to fish, crab and go clamming,” he said.
Justine Cagle worked on Cowlitz County and opened an animal rehab there.

“I chose this county because it has Mt. St. Helens and there’s a lot of animal life and it would be great for an animal rehab,” Justine said.
Other students chose fruit stands, selling pies and a plethora of other businesses. The experience has taught them the time and commitment it takes to not only start a business but to keep it up and running.

“It’s really hard to stay in business,” Audrey Tatman said. “You have to work really hard to keep everything in order,” Justine added.

Librarian Linda Mauer, who helped the kids with their research and design on the computer noticed an immense improvement in the kids computer skills while working on this project.

One of the greatest experiences has been the opportunity the kids have had with their charity events.

“They’ve learned where all of the counties are and how fast money grows and we’ve done a lot of work with charities,” Thorkildsen said.
The students had a Pennies for Polio drive in correlation with the Lake Stevens/Granite Falls Rotary who collects pennies for polio vaccines around the world.

They also held a sock and glove drive where they collected 277 pairs of children’s socks, 154 adult pairs of sock, 206 pairs of gloves, 10 hats and two scarves, which were all delivered to the Everett Gospel Mission.

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