Money and economy explored at Hartville Elementary

Hartville Elementary second graders hosted the first graders to come into their classrooms to purchase goods and services. The second graders were studying a unit in economics. The students learned about consumers, producers and how people earn money. To better understand the concepts the second grade teachers Judie Wendorf, Kristin Williams and Averi Hudson decided that hands on experience would be a unique way to teach the material.

The first grade students have studied money concepts this year. They have learned how to purchase goods with money and how much each money piece is worth. They were given a special chance to put what they have learned into practice.

Each class was allotted time to shop in the three classrooms. All of the first graders brought in change from home to go shopping. The money raised will go to Relay for Life.

According to Wendorf, her class was allowed to come up with a company. Each group of students then had a job in that company. Wendorf’s class chose to have an origami paper company. The groups all had items for sale all made of paper. Paper footballs were quite a popular item for sale among the first grade. Garytt Newhouse and Nate Upperman were the masterminds behind the football booth. They even designed a football field as a display piece.

Williams pointed out that each second grade class approached the project in a different way. This was the first year to do this added Williams. It was a learning experience for all involved.

The students had many goods and services to offer to their fellow students. Williams’s class had artist Chad Holmes on hand to draw pieces for only a nickel. He could draw a very fine Spiderman. The students in the first grade were able to purchase friendship beads in Hudson’s class and receive a manicure in Williams’s class.

The creativity was excellent in the classes. One class even had a café that served donuts and milk. The first grade class worked very hard to pay the proper amount and the second grade did a wonderful job making change. First grade teacher Kristin Manolas thanked the second graders for their hard work and let them know how much they enjoyed shopping. The classes were able to raise over $100 for Relay for Life.