Twist and Bake
Pretzel Shop
HOW IT WORKS
The students of P.S. 176X at
I.S. 144 are children with autism. As such, the school
population is in need of various learning experiences to
enhance their ability to make positive choices and to
improve the quality of their lives. Under the supervision of
teacher Jodi Greenberg, the classes developed a fundraising
project called Twist and Bake Pretzel Shop. They sell
New-York-style pretzels to the staff and students of I.S.
144 and successfully demonstrate mastery of foundation
skills that are applicable to achieving vocational
competency.
The students participate in virtually every
phase of the operation of the shop: advertising the sale,
setting up shop, selling directly to customers, taking
orders for delivery, handling money, and cleaning up
afterwards. One of the outcomes of this project is that it
provides the opportunity for everyone to experience “giving
back” to the community. Part of the profit is used to
purchase art supplies for the Hebrew Home for the Aged in
Co-op City. The class takes a trip to donate the supplies
and, at a later date, returns to join the senior citizens in
working on an art project as part of the recreation program
at the home. In this sense, this fundraising opens minds to
education and hearts to others.
THE STUDENTS
The students at P.S. 176X are ages 11 through 14 and are
housed in community intermediate school 144. At this age,
social interaction, communication, and personal self-concept
are an integral part of a growing child’s self-confidence.
Even the most challenged students participate in the project
on a rotating basis and therefore have the opportunity to
learn appropriate skills at a level of which they are
capable. In this way, everyone participates and benefits
from improving all the academic, social, and communication
skills as well as improving self-image and developing a
sense of accomplishment. Although this has been designed for
a middle school population of children with autism, this
project is adaptable to any grade level from elementary up
through high school.
THE STAFF
Jodi Greenberg has been teaching special education for the
past twenty-three years. She has two master’s degrees: one
in special education and one in English literature. Ms.
Greenberg also has a post master’s degree in Gerontology
from the Wirthwiler School of Social Work and a year’s work
towards her Doctorate in Education at Columbia University
Teachers College. In addition, she has worked for twenty
years as a pediatric nurse for special children at the New
York Founding Hospital in New York. Children with special
needs have always been the focus of her care and advocacy.
WHAT YOU NEED
For the operation of the school store, basic supplies are
needed: a cash register box, a ledger book, and paper and
other materials for advertising. Also, there is the ongoing
investment of product to be sold.
OVERALL VALUE
Through the hands-on nature of the Twist and Bake Pretzel
Shop, students have demonstrated a positive relationship to
people of different ages and backgrounds in a work
situation. Through their work, students have a chance to
develop pride in themselves and the opportunity to help
others. |