May 18, 2016  

Elementary students launch business in school classroom

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University classroom business workshop for teachers in grades K-8 inspired a Mintonye Elementary teacher to start multiple classroom businesses.

Teacher Barbara Tilley received step-by-step instructions on creating a student business at a January workshop provided by the Purdue Center for Economic Education in the Krannert School of Management. Teachers also received classroom aids and six professional growth points.

"The students absolutely loved the opportunity to create their own business. And every step of the way we applied Indiana social studies, math and language arts standards. I am blown away by the amazing work the students did this spring," Tilley said.

In March, Tilley introduced the business idea to her third-grade students. They brainstormed a handmade paper concept. The students made recycled paper and then sold their product. As they followed their business plan, the students explored economic concepts leading up to the business launch and its operations. The paper business provided revenue to invest in a second business. The students created Snack Happy, a snack service for their school.

"Mrs. Tilley has really done a great job using what she learned at the business workshop. She engaged her students from day one. They were able to run not one, but two very successful classroom businesses," said Jennifer Redden, program coordinator for the Purdue Center for Economic Education.

The next training offered by the PCEE is the Summer Economics Extravaganza Workshop for K-8 teachers. Center director Harlan Day will lead the workshop. It is June 21-24 (8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) at Rawls Hall on the Purdue campus. More information and registration is available at http://www.krannert.purdue.edu/centers/pcee/home.php. Click on the "Workshops" link.

Workshop attendees will receive a variety of economic education lessons that can be integrated into their current class curriculum and receive many classroom aids and materials in addition to earning 18 professional growth points.

For additional information, contact Redden at jredden@purdue.edu or 765-494-7336.  

News service contact: John Hughey, 765-494-2432, hugheyj@purdue.edu 

Source: Jennifer Redden, 765-494-7336, jredden@purdue.edu 

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