KAY LESKO'S CLASS
ROGERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Colonial and Native American Keepsake Store is a fifth-grade economics project. It involved combining the economics concepts of entrepreneurship, production, marketing, and sales with the study of life in eighteenth century America.
The project began with the study of life in eighteenth century colonial America. Students used books, magazines, and Internet sites to research the types of products the colonists made. We photocopied the directions for these products. After discussing how the colonists had to make wise use of their resources, we had an evening workshop so the children and their parents could match their resources with the product ideas. Each student made products at home and all the students made necklaces at school.
Next the students developed their own marketing plan. We discussed the methods used by the colonists and the students used the same processes to develop their campaign. All written advertisements were done by hand. All commercials were live and word of mouth advertising was an important part of their campaign. Ninety-two percent of the students in our school brought something at our store during the two days it was open..
Finally the students had to plan how to set up their store. This included pricing their products, learning how to work with consumers, learning how to count change, and developing a system to reduce theft. The students earned $300.00, which they donated to the local charity that they felt had the greatest economic need; a new shelter for abused women and children.
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