GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Triad school is using a creative approach to help kids develop an interest in economics.

What You Need To Know

  • “Store Day” is a beloved third-grade class tradition at Greensboro Day School

  • Students buy and sell their handmade products to classmates using tickets they’ve earned throughout the year for good behavior

  • Third-grade teacher Susan Ferguson said it’s a fun activity that teaches invaluable financial lessons

“Store Day” is a beloved third-grade class tradition at Greensboro Day School.

Students buy and sell things they’ve made to each other, with products ranging from paper ninja stars to hand-painted seashells and homemade birdhouses. The currency of “Store Day” is tickets they earn throughout the school year for good behavior.

Third-grade teacher Susan Ferguson said it’s a fun activity that teaches invaluable financial lessons.

“They learn a little bit about budgeting and spending. They learn a little bit of economics, supply and demand,” Ferguson said.

She encourages students to be kind and considerate shoppers, even if they choose not to buy something from a classmate’s store.

She hopes “Store Day” will help students grow up to become financially-savvy adults. In the meantime, she enjoys watching the ever-changing trends, from slime to sensory bottles.

“It’s like a little token economy,” Ferguson said.