LifeTown Friendship Circle Registry ShabbatKit The Circle Connect LifeTown Gift Shop LifeTown Shoppes Curriculum
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Grade Level: 3rd Grade

  • Team Gear — Money Management

    • Check the prices: shirts cost one amount and patches cost extra — add them up to get your total
    • Before placing your order, count your money to confirm you can afford the shirt and the patches you want
    • If you want more patches but can’t afford them all, decide which ones matter most to you
    • Hand the correct amount to the cashier, or pay with a larger bill and count your change
    • Remember: the shirt is one of the bigger purchases in the village, so plan ahead by saving enough money

  • Team Gear — Following Directions

    • Directions given by TEAM GEAR staff regarding:
      1. Selecting the correct shirt size
      2. Choosing a shirt color
      3. Providing staff with your initials
      4. Choosing a patch
      5. When to return to pick-up your customized shirt
      6. Paying for your purchase

  • Team Gear — Problem Solving

    • If you don’t know your shirt size, ask the staff: “Can you help me figure out my size?”
    • Try holding the shirt up to your chest to see if it looks like it will fit
    • Ask for help from your chaperone if you are unsure
    • What to do if your preferred shirt color is out of stock:

      Choose a different color — practice flexibility and making a second choice
    • What to do if your shirt isn’t ready when you come back to pick it up:

      Ask the staff how much longer it will take, and decide whether to wait or come back later
    • What to do if you don’t have enough money:

      Ask about earning money at a nearby job station

  • Team Gear — Functional Communication

    • Greetings

      Saying hello and goodbye
    • Asking questions
      1. When to come back to pick up the shirt
      2. What the cost is of the shirt and patch
    • Ask for assistance or directions from store staff when needed
    • Gesturing to or stating:
      1. Which shirt color you would like to purchase
      2. Which patches you would like to purchase
    • Making eye contact while communicating

  • Team Gear — Time Management

    • Ensure you have enough time for your shirt to be made before your school has to leave the LifeTown village
    • Returning to pick up your shirt

  • Team Gear — Budgeting

    • Plan ahead: the shirt is one of the more expensive items in the village. Save enough money early in your visit
    • Break down the cost: shirt + each patch. Calculate the total based on how many patches you want
    • Practice making trade-offs: “If I buy 3 patches instead of 5, I’ll have money left for ice cream”
    • Activity: Write down the shirt cost, patch costs, and total before placing your order
    • Compare your total to how much money you have left to make sure you can afford everything

  • Team Gear — Safety and Security

    • Keep money in your wallet until you’re at the register and ready to pay
    • Do not touch the heat press machine — it is very hot and can burn you
    • Stay behind the counter area when staff are using the heat press
    • Wait in the designated area for your shirt to be completed
    • Be gentle with merchandise — don’t pull shirts off displays or unfold stacks
    • Put any money you earn from jobs directly into your wallet

  • Team Gear — Employment

    • Fill out job application
    • Interview for a job
    • Job duties
      1. Fold merchandise and put into bag for customer
      2. Notify staff when supplies/inventory are running low
      3. Dust and sweep

  • Team Gear — Independent Living Skills

    • Creating customized items fosters a sense of ownership and personalization. Students learn to value items that reflect their choices and preferences
    • Making decisions and choices based on personal preferences
    • Managing the order process, ensuring the correct items are chosen, and confirming patch choices cultivates a sense of responsibility
    • Customizing merchandise with patches allows students to explore their creativity and express their individuality. This fosters self-confidence and a sense of identity