As part of the second-eighth grade study of careers, the students are participating in a weekly “City Simulation” complete with stores, a bakery, bank, post office and more. Each student selected a job essential to the financial success of a city and is responsible for running that business. They must each advertise, keep books, and sell and buy from other businesses. The simulation is designed to give students a taste of the “real world” through running a business and ensuring the circulation of money. Each student’s business is interdependent with all other businesses. For example, all students are required to run an ad in the newspaper, buy a stamp, mail a card and visit the bank.Stella Mark and Roberta Ouya are working in the bank cashing checks and making change. Selling stamps and envelopes at the post office and delivering mail is a full time job for Jennifer Henry. Fresh cookies bring everyone to the bakery of Frances Kuku and Nicholas Sharp. A big hit with all the storekeepers is the beauty salon where hair and nails can be done on an alternating basis. The gift shop sells toys and cards and is run by Nolan Foster and Kameri Sharp. Popcorn and kool-aid keep everyone coming to visit Angel Sharp at her snack shop. While Clayton Dillard sells name cards for each proprietor and paper for the ads they need, he also writes a weekly newspaper.
An hour of work time is accompanied by a ten minute break, so that students can visit the other businesses. Advertising becomes important as each shop competes for business, and therefore money, during the limited break time. The economic activity teaches the circulation of money and interdependency of market systems. Students continue to refine their skills in math, language arts, and economics each week the simulation continues.
