On the morning of Tuesday, June 10, four classes of grade 5 students (70 students) at Old Saybrook Middle School will be exhibiting their student-created businesses at their Main Street Math EXPO on a virtual Main Street created OUTSIDE on the paved pathways of the school. Students began the year learning about the types of businesses: providing services or selling goods. They used their voice and choice in deciding what type of business they would create. All students created a business plan, which included a price list of items that they will sell, hours of operation, number of employees, and who their competitors were.
Local businesses partnered with the school over the course of the year to assist students in learning about creating businesses. First, all the fifth graders visited businesses on Main Street in Old Saybrook to learn about how math is used in various businesses, but also how a business is run. Next, business owners presented to classes about marketing their businesses and finally, they shared information about how they try to be environmentally friendly and what the benefits might be.
Throughout the year in math, students demonstrated their mastery of standards in the math curriculum by writing story problems at the conclusion of each math unit, which was directly connected to their business and their price list, if applicable. Three story problems were selected to be displayed on each student’s 4’x3’ tri-fold store, along with their custom-designed store sign, the store price list, the hours of operation sign, a digital sales graph that they created, and their personally designed storefront. In science, students listed eco-friendly ideas for their business to implement, which is also included on display on each student’s 4’x3’ tri-fold store. In language arts, students wrote an elevator pitch for their business. Lastly, students have also incorporated 21st century skills in this project, including: Initiative and Entrepreneurship, Curiosity and Imagination, and Effective Oral and Written Communication.
