A Classroom Trade Fair

Some students purchased items to trade - such as these home-style breads.

This semester we participated in a classroom trade fair. This is how it worked:

Each student was told to bring items from home. We could bring just one item or multiple items - the choice was ours but we were told to keep in mind the principles of supply and demand. Some people chose to purchase items, others chose to make items, and others gathered odds and ends from around the house.

Sarah used a frame to make a unique dry erase board.

On the day of the trade fair, each student cleared their desk and displayed their "items for trade." Each student was given an index card. The index card was folded once, so that it would stand upright like a place card. On one side students listed the items for trade and the "terms" of trade - if items were being traded as a whole group or individually. On the other side of the card, the students wrote "closed" - which they were to use when all of their items had been traded.

After setting up our trade fair items, we took a moment to review rules - no touching the trade fair objects was the big rule! The entire class was given two minutes to silently look over all the trade fair object and then the floor was opened for trading.

It was a very interesting experience. It was most interesting to note what other students brought in to trade, as well as to note which items were "hot sellers," being traded multiple times and for multiple items!

Emily made these beautiful bookmarks to trade.

After the trade fair we looked over 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math Standards to see possible activity extensions and further applications for the classroom.

This was one of the most productive in-class activities I have been a part of.

I am not sure whether Carmen purchased these
for the trade fair - or whether they were "odds
and ends" from around her house...but I was
super glad that she traded with me - I wore
them to field experience the next day.

Lauren found these in her attic or basement - some 

funky old hats and scarves...she

traded them for a "mystery bag."

This was the hottest item at the trade fair - brought by Aubrey. It was traded at least two or three times before Lauren ended up with it. This paper sack labeled "Mystery Bag" created quite a stir...people weren't sure whether to fight for it or whether it was a giant prank...with Aubrey you never know! In the end, Lauren won out...and she SCORED! Big time. It was FULL of all kinds of unique scarves - some for your hair, others for your neck...most of them were super cute! Lauren was so nice and gave a few away...what a fun trade fair item! Ahhhh...the allure of mystery!