This year for the first time, the 3rd and 4th graders did a group project for Economics. The children were assigned to groups to create a business group. Each group had to design a project to make and sell. The group presented their project to the “bankers” to receive a loan. After securing the loan, they could shop for supplies.

A group of Moms purchased every kind of making item you could possible think…pipe cleaners, google eyes, felt, clay, pom-poms and the list goes on. A shop was set up on Tuesday afternoons for the month of January. The students shopped for their supplies with the money from the bank. Eleri’s group decided to make “crazy pens”. They glued a pom-pom to the end with goggle eyes. Then, they wrapped pipe cleaners around the bodies. Personally, I think the pipe cleaners were the finishing touch. Eleri’s teacher, Ms Burns, had said they added two pipe cleaners to each pen when they realized it was a cheap item. Eleri’s group borrowed 112rmb from the bank.

The first sale day was to the 3rd & 4th graders. I forgot to send money with Eleri, but I saved my error by sending Jim with money at lunch time. I guess it does pay off to have him working in Jinqiao! On the fist sell day, they made 220rmb, selling 22 pens for 10rmb each. They had made enough money to pay their loan back and buy more supplies. The second sell day was to the kindergartens, 1st and 2nd graders. The final sell day was to the HS/MS during lunch time. I stopped by for the final sale day. When I arrived, Eleri’s group had five pens left. I purchased the orange one above.

Eleri had fun with this project. The money the students earned goes to charity. Eleri business group earned 646rmb ($104) they donated to Heart to Heart. Each business group picked which charity to give their funds. Eleri’s business group was the highest money makers for Heart to Heart.