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Stunning Mock Businesses by Academy’s Sixth Graders

In an effort to complement students’ learning, the sixth grade team has created a project to teach its students about business. 

The project, dubbed the Business Fair, has been described as “an interdisciplinary language arts and mathematics project” by one of the leaders, Ms. Sonam Shahani. 

Spanning the entire last quarter, students were given class time to work on their product with their partners. Before the students could begin working, however, their ideas had to get approved. To do this, groups pitched their business ideas to a panel of investors (much like the popular reality show Shark Tank). Once the panel chose its businesses to support,  students formed both a business and personal budget off of their paychecks. They calculated the cost of taxes, insurance, and a budget with which to run their business; much of the “money” invested was used for supplies, labor, and even better table spots at the final showing.

At the fair, customers received a number of tickets with which to purchase products. Ranging from collecting their food to miscellaneous knick-knacks,  students found their own niche in the consumer’s world. 

Surprisingly complex and noteworthy string art was a popular stop, as well as melted crayon works. The most popular by far was the milkshake stand.

As well as teaching sixth-graders how to pitch an idea to a panel, the project also taught them how to work effectively with a budget. Part of the challenge was coming up with a unique and interesting enough idea to be approved. Some of the stands were most inventive: two young girls dressed in all white were at a table outside, inviting customers to spray them with paint for three tickets.

Shahani started the concept of the business fair a few years ago, and since then, it has grown impressively. Originally, the writing workshop class had a project in which they planned businesses, and the math course had a budgeting project with egg “babies.” By combining these two projects into one, Shahani and Ms. Castle helped the students make important connections between the disciplines. 

Garnering a large crowd of parents, teachers, and students, the Business Fair was even more of a success than it was in years past, and this is largely in part to the leadership of the event. 

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