Fifth grade teacher Fabian Smith, top right, gets into Market Day at Mountain Elementary School and buys some handmade items from a student. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.comBy KayLinda Crawford
Los Alamos Daily Post
Mountain Elementary School 5th grade students participated this morning in Market Day. The students sold their homemade items and purchased items made by oother students with play money they earned throughout the semester.
“It’s a 5th grade standard to learn debits, credits and balances,” 5th grade math teacher Bernadette Ziomek said. “From the beginning of the semester, each student is able to earn play money and was required to start a ledger. The students were able to earn play money for various reasons, such as turning homework in on time and doing extra helpful things that are above and beyond expected good behavior.”
The students could also lose money for not doing expected tasks or for bad behavior. Each student is required to keep track of their own ledgers by adding the credits, subtracting the debits and keeping a current balance.
“We had 100 percent participation this year and that’s a pleasant surprise,” she said.
As Market Day approaches, the students are expected to submit a business plan explaining what they are going to make, how much they are going to charge, and to save enough play money to buy a certificate of operation, which must be displayed on Market Day.
“The process is meant to be a valuable learning experience and isn’t meant to discourage them, so I like to give them a Christmas bonus to be sure they have enough,” said Fabian Smith, 5th grade science and social studies teacher. “The kids have been looking forward to this event and because of their enthusiasm, Market Day really does run itself.”
Market Day teaches the students the basics of economics, such as earning, saving and owing money; then creating something of value and pricing it properly so it will sell.
“We even allow the students who have gotten low in their ledgers to take out loans to have enough,” said Shanda Moore, 5th grade English and language arts teacher. “But, they have to pay it back!”
Mountain Elementary School Principle Jennifer Guy supported the 5th graders and shopped at the event.
“This is such a wonderful experience for our students and families. The students learn so much about basic economics and it is such a great community building activity. I bought a wonderful pet rock and picture frame,” Guy said.
Fifth graders organize their items for selling and prepare their play money for giving change. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com
Fifth graders were required to display a description of their business items and certificate of operation. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
Fifth graders were required to display a description of their business items and certificate of operation. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
‘It was a pleasant surprise that Market Day had 100 percent student participation this year,” 5th grade teacher Bernadette Ziomek said. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
Market Day is a busy day in this Mrs. Ziomek’s 5th Grade Classroom. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
Students exchange play money for real homemade items during Market Day. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
The grown-ups enjoy Market Day, too. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
The items ranged from tasty goodies to fortune tellers. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
This 5th grader even had a cash register. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
This student gave us a peek into her ledger and money pouch. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com 
This student is selling Korean Sushi. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com
This student took a break from selling to go out and buy items. Photo by KayLinda Crawford/ladailypost.com