Mrs. Moss's Mini Mall

Campbell's class has been studying economics for the past few weeks. This has been an intense but fun unit. The teachers use a very hands on approach to this unit. Each of the three classes creates its own "mini society". They have to name their society. Campbell's was Mrs. Moss's Mini Mall. They had to creat a flag and money for their society. They had to create rules for the society (i.e. how to earn money, behaviors). To earn money they all had to apply for different jobs. They had to fill out actualy job applications and be interviewed by the teacher. Campbell was a money cutter as well as the banker.

Each student also had to come up with a product to produce. The supplies for the project could not cost more than $12.00. Campbell made woven loop potholders. Aaron actually though of this project. I will never follow his lead again. The potholders required a lot of my time. I'm glad to help my kid but staying up till one in the morning to make sure she had enough made is not my idea of fun. They did have to pay parents for their help. The student could choose to pay in chores or money. Campbell paid me in both chores and money.

Once all their product was completed the teacher helped them determine the best price to sell the product at so they could make money on them. Campbell's potholders were priced at $14 each. They had to purchase their sale lot in the gym. Campbell paid $50 for hers. Yesterday they got to sell their products.

Each child set up a table in the gym. They had to have a store front (sign) for their table. Each child was assigned a selling session. (There were 3 selling sessions.) When they weren't selling they could buy from their classmates. I arrived at 1:30 for Campbell's selling session. Caleb and I had a lot of fun shopping for these products. It's even more fun knowing that it's not real money that your shopping with. Campbell did a great job and sold 36 of her 41 potholders.

Today the kids are doing an auction to sell any leftover products. This whole project was a ton of fun, but I am so glad to be done making potholders!