Entrepreneurs!
1/10/2020
The second graders finished up their latest PBL project with a community event right before break. The annual 2nd Grade Store was a great success and the store opened just in time for holiday shopping. This yearly project has many different facets. Students are first tasked with coming up with a product idea that they will be able to create. These range from magnets, to ornaments, to toys amongst a variety of other things. They need to take things into consideration such as time and efficiency in creating their projects, as well as the material needs. Once they have a good idea, they begin production of their product, often gaining new skills as they learn how to use different types of tools. Students then turn their attention to advertising. They come up with a name for their business and create signs for their booths. They also utilize their knowledge of persuasive writing to write and records commercials, which are then sent out the prospective shoppers before the store opens. The viewers are then given an interest survey designed to help the producers set their prices based on the anticipated demand for their products. Thought is needed to set up each booth, with students considering space available, efficiency and aesthetics for their booth. This includes the best way to display their product as well. Once everyone is set up and ready to go, they eagerly await the shoppers! Their work isn't finished yet as the second graders are now expected to make change, sell their product and offer great customer service. Their customer base consists of first graders, third graders, middle schoolers and a spattering of teachers and parents. The shoppers fill out a customer satisfaction survey to give the second graders some feedback. This ranges from the ultra positive - "This was so amazing! I wouldn't change a thing!" to constructive comments "Maybe next time make sure you have enough product so you don't sell out or maybe make your prices a little higher if you don't have a lot of product." Once the store closes, it is time for cleanup and reflection. The second graders reflect on what went well: selling and making the product, what was challenging: making enough product, and what their favorite part of the project was; selling to all the people. They also offer advice to the first graders who are already brainstorming ideas for next year's store. "Do not sell the product to classmates before the store." "Make people interested in your store." "Make creative products." "Make a lot of things." "Think about the prices." While this project hits grade level standards in different areas, the real benefit is the authenticity and real world experience that the kids gain. While technically they were in a competition with their classmates, that didn't stop them from offering each other help and ideas throughout the process. They used their critical thinking skills to solve problems, creativity in designing product, booth, and commercials and their communication skills got a workout as well. Students were able to see the economic terms and concepts that they had been studying firsthand and apply their knowledge in order to have a favorable outcome...authentic learning at its best.
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Marcella HitchcockMs. Hitchcock teaches second grade, is a mom of two, an avid reader, lifelong learner, and a seeker of sunshine! Archives
March 2021
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