It's mid-December, which means in Southeastern Michigan Girl Scout cookie season is kicking off. My daughter has been a Girl Scout for 5 years. I was never a Girl Scout growing up, so I was hesitant at first how much would she really learn and how much cookie season is just about making money. I have to say I'm pleased to announce she really does learn a lot. Her people skills and money skills have improved.
Girl Scout cookie season with a first grader was rough. Kids that age take a long time to add up big totals at cookie booths. We want them doing the math, but we have to balance people's time and patience too. At that age we tended to add up the total but have the young girls count out the change from the money box. As second graders, the girls could add up totals a bit better though they were still using addition so depending on the size of the order they sometimes needed help. Third grade is when it really all clicked! Third graders have learned multiplication! They may be slow, but they make the connection that repeatedly adding is slower than if they memorize their 4's multiplication facts (since cookies are $4 a box). Fourth graders have the multiplication down so they work quicker and are able to do multiple steps such as calculating the total then subtracting that from the money paid to figure out what they owe.
Now as a fifth grader, my girl can pretty much run a Girl Scout cookie booth without my help. She can confidently calculate totals, compute change owed, and count out change. So yes, Girl Scouts use cookie season to fund their year of camping, crafts, and trips, but they really are involved in the work and learning along the way! If you're as inspired as I am with their hard work, think about supporting by buying some cookies or even just donating a box to military troops. Whether you support online or next time you pass a cookie booth at the grocery store, these girls would love it! Just remember to have patience and allow them time to work their math skills!
I love the connection you made with selling cookies, and math skills. When I was a Girl Scout, the money exchange process was never placed on us as a troop, but rather our leaders. You are teaching your scouts skills and independence that they will need to be successful in the rest of their years to come.
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