The free marketplace came to the third grade classrooms of John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School on June 8. The inaugural Market Day was a huge success as students enjoyed participating in the business simulation. 

Each student was tasked with creating a good or service and then selling it at Market Day. Products included bookmarks, bracelets, pencil cups and stress balls. One student offered dance lessons, which would be provided during recess. 

Market Day supported a social studies unit on economics, and students explored different concepts such as supply and demand. While they created their products independently, students were paired up to sell. That allowed one group of students to shop on Market Day while the other half of each class minded the store. Each student received $20 in fake money, which featured the pictures of the third grade teachers.  

Teacher Julia Kriegel said that this was a hands-on way for students to put a classroom lesson into practice. It fostered creativity and collaboration, and also helped them improve their technology skills as they used Canva to make advertisements.  

The young entrepreneurs were encouraged to make between 20 to 30 units of their products, which they mostly made using supplies from home. After shopping in class, students then took their profits and went shopping in the other third grade rooms.