Bitz Intermediate School third-graders become entrepreneurs for a day

Third-graders at Bitz Intermediate School turned their classrooms into lively marketplaces March 26 as the hands-on finale to a social studies unit on economics.

The project, designed collaboratively by teachers Bea Eaton-Hines, Kimberly Crank, Jasmine Lawrence and Danyell Blanks, let students apply classroom lessons on the U.S. economy, free-market choices, wise money use and global trade. Each child created an original product, designed a booth, set prices and used classroom currency to buy and sell — experiences that reinforced foundational civics concepts and the economic freedoms central to American life.

“Market Day is a special culminating activity where our students apply their learning in economics by creating goods and services, running small ‘businesses,’ and engaging in hands-on problem solving,” Lawrence said. “They are so proud of their work, and they would be thrilled to share their projects with others.”

Students built their items from repurposed and recycled materials, then decorated booths with signs, pricing menus and displays. They practiced supply-and-demand decisions, calculated costs and profits, made change, and communicated with customers — blending math, critical thinking and collaboration.

“As students worked through planning and production, they gained a deeper understanding of supply and demand, cost, and profit,” Eaton-Hines said. “They weren’t just learning about the economy — they were actively participating in it.”

Crank added that such projects help students connect classroom lessons to everyday life. “These moments build confidence and curiosity,” she said.

By day’s end, students left with full shopping bags, empty booths and a stronger grasp of economic principles — along with the satisfaction of seeing their ideas come to life. The activity reflected DoWEA’s emphasis on civics education through practical, real-world application that nurtures informed, responsible young citizens.