The culmination of the third grade Mini-Society unit was Parents' Store Day. It was the grand opening of all the stores in Space Place, Beautiful Paradise, Bubble Island, and Liberty Land. Parents, teachers, staff, grandparents, and siblings had a great time spending society money (Shooting Stars, Cha-Chings, Pop Coins, and Freedom Bills), getting bargains for the wonderful goods and services, and admiring the young entrepreneurs conducting their businesses. Students applied their creativity fully, especially in advertising their businesses via attractive displays, flyers, posters, and various business promotions.
Moneymaking is not the objective of Mini-Society. Rather, it is an experience-based unit that teaches economic concepts through integrated learning situations. Students use math, art, computer graphics, oral expression, reading, writing, decision-making concepts, and interpersonal skills in the process. Both teachers and students have fun teaching and learning in this program.
