Netzaberg Elementary Third Graders Explore Real-World Economics at Annual Fair
Third-grade students at Netzaberg Elementary School recently turned their classrooms into a bustling marketplace during the school’s annual Economy Fair, a hands-on event designed to bring economic principles to life.
The event, now in its third year, was developed by third-grade teachers Lisa Ramirez, Sheila Reed, Patty Plunkett, Amanda Riggan, and Summer Pickel. The fair is aligned with College and Career Ready (CCR) standards and focuses on the creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems.
Throughout the project, students acted as producers and consumers, creating goods and services to exchange in a simulated marketplace. The experience allowed them to explore how communities—including those connected to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)—use human and natural resources to meet needs and earn a living.
Students addressed key economic questions such as: What will be produced? How will it be produced? And who will receive the goods and services?
Participants set initial prices for their products and services, adjusting them in real time in response to shifts in supply and demand. The dynamic environment helped students understand concepts such as pricing strategy, resource management, and consumer behavior.
The project also incorporated digital literacy, with students using newly available Google Vids to create promotional commercials for their booths—blending economics with creativity and technology.
The fair emphasized collaboration and critical thinking while giving students a sense of ownership and responsibility within a community framework.
The Economy Fair has become a highlight of the academic year for Netzaberg’s third grade, offering students a meaningful and memorable way to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.
