Weston Kids Sell Books to Help Japan

Janis Larrabee’s second-graders transformed from students into entrepreneurs to raise money for Westport-based Save the Children to benefit relief efforts in Japan. The "Beehive Employees" will be selling used books from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Hurlbutt Elementary School.

“I volunteered to write a persuasive letter to our principal. It was a proposal to see if she would agree to the project – and she did,” said Thomas, a second-grader.

The class divided into different departments – advertising, assembly, public relations and sales. Each student in public relations had to write a speech to persuade fellow students to buy the books. Those in advertising made posters that hang on the walls, illustrating the details of the event.

The majority of the books are $1, and each customer will receive a bookmark with a purchase. The students and teachers donated books to be sold, and the class has already collected $42 from a presale for teachers.

Larrabee’s class was beginning a unit in Agents for Change, in which students look for positive change in the community, when the earthquake and tsunami hit in Japan last month. Each year, Larrabee has her students complete a community project or fundraiser to integrate language arts writing and social studies curriculum.

How are you helping Japan’s relief efforts? Email me at shenry@mainstreetconnect.us. 

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