Forest View first graders learn about business by hosting a market | Information

CADILLAC — Walt Disney, Warren Buffett, Sam Walton and Henry Ford are just a few of the successful businessmen in America and recently the first graders at Forest View Elementary School learned what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

On Monday, first graders filled the school gym/cafeteria to sell 30 items they made to their classmates and family members as part of a market exercise. The market was the culmination of a unit on business/economics and first grade teachers Hannah Heystek and Kara Bailey said it was a way to make the concepts they teach real.

Some of the economic concepts that the students learned are supply and demand, goods and services and producers and consumers. Heystek for the market students were charged with making a home product to sell. When they sell the product, no money is exchanged.

“They had to come up with whatever domestic product they wanted to produce. Then they made it home,†said Heystek. “We made posters so they could show what they were selling. Then they decided if they would sell those things for one or two tickets.â

Products that were made included jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces, pet stones, dream catchers, bird feeders and other crafty ideas.

Bailey said that by the end of the day every student will have sold their products as parents, grandparents and other students at the school were able to go shopping. The tickets were given away for free, but Bailey said once the market closed, students had a surprise waiting for them in the classroom.

Once back in the classroom, Bailey said they can use their benefits, such as tickets, to buy toys, art supplies and other items.