Young Cookie Makers Roll in the Dough

Seventh graders at Grafton Middle School have a sweet business going on.

Since January, 18 youngsters in math class have been baking, packaging and selling cookies and brownies for their business, under the name Monster Cookies Inc.

The business serves as a hands-on way for the students to learn math skills, business practices, teamwork and problem-solving.

Other lessons can be even more basic, said math teacher Robin Bergen, who oversees the program with fellow teachers Jeff Manning and Gina Warner.

 “For some kids, it’s the first time they’ve cracked an egg,’’ she said.

 Every Friday during lunch periods, the youngsters divide their time. While one group is selling the sweet stuff in the lobby, the remaining youngsters work in a school kitchen, where they cook and package the product.

 Some students and staff members pre-order the cookies and brownies the week before. Others buy it that day.

 The goal, Manning said, is to teach student real-world applications for the skills they learn.

 “I hope they get more invested in math,’’ Manning said.

 Ray Picard, 12, approves. “I like to cook,’’ he said. “I like it better than just sitting in class and doing workshops.’’

 The business is divided among three divisions: Accounting and advertising, where students keep the books and collect data about the sales; Production and distribution, where the youngsters make the dough, bake it with the help of cafeteria staff and research and development, where new products are developed.

 Monster Cookies runs like a business, complete with a $350 start-up loan approved by principal Richard Lind.

 The youngsters are paying back the loan, with interest, from the company profits. Late payments are assessed a fee, as they would be in a real-world business.

 It is all part of a business plan aimed at teaching a wide range of skills, “everything from higher-level math skills like loans to how to wash a dish,'' Bergen said.

 The effort appears to be paying off.

 “I like the fact that we actually do it instead of just writing it on a piece of paper,’’ said Jessica Carolino, 13. “It’s good working as a team.’’

 Hunter Gordon, 13, agrees. “We’re working together, we’re communicating with each other,’’ said Hunter, who has been named Employee of the Month. “It’s really fun.’’

In time, sales may extend beyond the school and into the community, perhaps through a Web site, Bergen said.

“The kids come up with the greatest ideas,'' she said.