Our Social Studies Methods Class held a trade fair a couple weeks ago. Everyone brought something they thought would be of value to someone else: from homemade baked goods to jewelry and picture frames. We all had so much fun negotiating for the hottest items!!! We determined this was an engaging activity to help students to understand several social studies concepts. The first of course is the economic concept of supply and demand. Another economic concept was that of the haves and the have nots. Not everyone got to have the coveted picture frame so that could be a discussion point about needs and wants and families who can't afford everything for their children. It can also be tied into a lesson about colonial times when trading was the norm. After the trade fair students can discuss and/or write about their experiences as buyers and sellers.
Holding a trade fair in a public classroom requires forethought and planning on the part of the teacher. The teacher has to be sure that every child has something valuable to trade. The teacher must be aware of students who might not have support from home on this activity and be willing to provide an item for them to trade, without the rest of the class knowing the item came from the teacher. A discussion beforehand about the fact that there will be limited supplies of items and that not everyone will get everything they want may help to prevent a child acting out their disappointment during the trade fair.
Last week at the elementary school where I am assigned for Field Experience the fourth grade classes were holding their annual Trade Fair. I am with fifth grades and they shared with me their memories of the Trade Fair they participated in last year. Their enthusiasm for this activity and everything they learned through their participation provided authentic proof of the value of this activity.
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