Deerfield Elementary students present big ideas during Small Business Day

Fourth grade students at Deerfield Elementary in Avondale School District, participating in the school’s annual Small Business Day, had the chance to apply economics concepts learned in their Social Studies class while raising money for a worthy cause. Sixty-one students, acting as small business owners, took part in the activity designed to bring the world of economics to life. The students were required to establish a company; develop a product; create a business plan; and design advertising pieces to promote their product and company. “Small Business Day takes the economics lessons from the classroom into the real world and creates an experience with lasting impressions,” said teacher and co-organizer of the event, Heidi Norton. “The students get to showcase not only the product or service they are selling but also their problem-solving skills while working through economic conditions like competition, fair pricing, scarcity and surplus – all concepts they’ve been working on in class.”

The event is a cross-curricular activity incorporating economics terminology and concepts with writing and mathematics lessons. In addition to the math component, students also practice their persuasive writing skills while creating advertisements and commercials. “It’s a fun opportunity for the students to boost their math and writing abilities and even build some customer service and interpersonal skills,” added Norton. “Every aspect of Small Business Day is a chance for student growth.”

Though students are primarily responsible for taking their ideas from conception to the sales floor, parents are allowed to assist the students with gathering materials and running errands under the guidelines of the business plan that each student must submit. Parents and other adults who help the students are listed in the business plan as resources – one of the terms covered in the economics curriculum. Parents are also customers the day of the event along with 3rd and 5th grade students and building personnel.

Customers had the opportunity to purchase hand-made items including headbands, rock art, wood carvings, decorative notebooks, magnets, treats and baked goods. Services available for purchase like hand painting and sports stations were offered by young entrepreneurs who understand there is a market for entertainment in addition to products.

“Small Business Day is an innovative learning experience that allows students to put their economics into action,” agreed the Deerfield Elementary 4th grade teaching team of Norton, Kim Nash and Mary Scholz. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Blessings in a Backpack - Avondale and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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