THIRD GRADERS BECOME EXPERT ENTREPRENEURS FOR MARKET DAY
Student Dallas Dixon developed a sales pitch that helped her attract customers at Market Day , an event where Janet Brockett Elementary third graders sold goods or services they created to other students on campus .
“ Come over to get Dallas ’ nails , and if you come over , you ’ ll get to sparkle with me ,” Dallas said as customers filled the market . The young business owner pre-decorated fake nails and sold them in boxed sets . She also made her clients sparkle by painting their nails at her booth .
Dallas and her peers recently learned what it takes to create a successful business , which aligns with Mansfield ISD ’ s Vision 2030 strategic plan to ensure students are career ready .
Third-grade teachers made sure that students prepared for Market Day realistically . The budding entrepreneurs researched a product or service , created a business plan , and developed marketing . Students even went to “ business school ” to learn about spending , saving , income , cost , supply and demand .
“ Some fourth-graders tried to buy the basketballs ,” Jonte said .
In the end , Jujus ’ Jumpstart Basketball Training and Brandy ’ s Football Training earned $ 356 .
“ It was fun to see how proud they were of their hard work ,” said thirdgrade teacher Katy Loeung . “ The students got to experience money in a way that they typically wouldn ’ t until they are much older .”
On Market Day , the business owners set up booths in their campus cafeteria , and customers from all other grade levels came to shop with play money they earned in their own classroom .
Top-selling items included slime , bracelets , candles , body spray , and lava lamps . This year , some of the services were even more popular than products , such as nail and face painting or teaching sports skills .
TOP : Dallas Dixon paints nails for a client during Market Day .
ABOVE : A student holds up a sign advertising his travel tic tac toe game .
The learning continued after students tallied their earnings from Market Day and used it to buy treats at their own Market Party .
“ Because of the Market Party , students were able to see that the harder you work , the more money you can earn and , in turn , be able to buy more items and prizes ,” said Loeung .
Some students only had a few dollars to spend , while others had enough that they were able to share with others . Some students even commented on how grateful they are for their parents ’ hard work , and they now truly understand the value of a dollar .
Jonte Price , Brandy Davis , and Shawndale Cason combined their businesses on Market Day to sell their services of teaching basketball and football skills . The trio said they had to educate their customers on the service they offered .
Overall , business owner Dallas was happy her customers were satisfied .
“ I asked them , ‘ Do you feel sparkly ?’” Dallas said . “ When they said ‘ yes ’, I was happy they feel sparkly .”
21 MANSFIELDTODAY