On the morning of June 7, students expected to walk into their classroom as usual, but instead, found themselves inside a coffee shop. Since 2019, Ms. Mendonis’ second grade class at Stratford has participated in “Starbucks Day,” a fun day of interdisciplinary learning at the end of their unit on money.
The classroom turned café emulated real-world responsibilities of decision-making and teamwork. For example, students acted as baristas, “selling” coffee to special guests with play money, being sure to give the accurate amount of change. Through role-playing activities such as managing a store, designing a new beverage, handling money and placing and taking orders, students enhanced their critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and leadership skills.
Students used the BookCreator app on their iPads to solve money story problems, using multiple math methods such as counting up, the standard algorithm, place value blocks, and adding and subtracting by place value. Students also used Canva to design specialty drinks, slogans and logos.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha stopped by Ms. Mendonis’ class, noting, “From the moment I stepped into Ms. Mendonis’ classroom, I was captivated by the vibrant atmosphere and the palpable excitement among our students. The way she integrated mathematics and community-building activities into this real-world simulation was nothing short of brilliant. The students had the opportunity to apply their mathematical skills while also developing essential social and collaborative skills — a winning combination!”
“Starbucks Day proves to be a dynamic and engaging experience, fostering a love of learning while nurturing vital skills for the second grade students in my class,” Ms. Mendonis concluded.