Mini-Economy Classroom Start-Up Experience
In a classroom mini-economy, students have classroom jobs, earn play money, make spending and saving decisions, shop at the class store, and even start a classroom business.
Conducted as a unit of study, this high-energy simulation focuses on economic concepts, financial literacy, classroom management, and real-world market situations. Students establish their own society, design currency, plan and open businesses, and create a functioning market system. It’s a perfect setup for authentic instruction in language arts, math, art and social studies.
Did You Know?
Each activity uses students’ knowledge of standards to build toward a coherent project goal: the creation of a flourishing classroom business community.
A Mini-economy is a Flexible and Customizable Classroom Program that Usually Runs for Weeks or Even Months. Generally, the Program Includes:
- A system of money/currency that is earned exchanged, invested and managed
- Support for starting start-ups and new businesses
- A “Market Day” hosted at your school where students create and sell products and services to each other using the classroom currency
- Roles and job descriptions for each student
- A process for collecting taxes and providing public services
Mini-Economy Homeschool
Start a mini-economy for home teaching. Recorded training session here.
Mini-Economy Market Day
Organize a district-wide market day for student businesses. E-mail us at vcee@vcu.edu for more information.
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