mini society

Since the beginning of April, Cameron's class has been having a "mini society".  He has talked about this and has been very excited about it.  The teacher sent home a note explaining what they would be doing .  From Cameron and the teacher's note I understood that they were making things in class that they would then turn into businesses.  They came up with a name for their society (the Narwhals).  They named the currency (somethings) and decided what amounts it would be available in.  On every Friday they have a business day for the last hour of the day.  On the second business day Cameron called me from school and begged me to come down and see what they were doing.  This wasn't supposed to be a parent come and see activity. I got there(I was the only parent there) and I was amazed at how clever these little kids were.  I was also so sad for Cameron.  I had TOTALLY missed the big picture of this activity.  Kids were selling all kinds of cool stuff that they had made or organized at home and Cameron was trying to sell library bookmarks (they get these for free) and broken pencils from his pencil box.  He was a little upset that no one wanted to buy his stuff.  My son doesn't communicate very well and I would have NEVER known what was going on had he not insisted I come and see the society.  Well...when he got home we got on the Internet and he found something to make and sell.

JOLLY RANCHER SUCKERS

 You melt jolly ranchers in the oven and then put a sucker stick in them.

 Every Thursday now since the beginning of April we have been making these suckers.  Cameron unwraps and lays them all out on the oven.  I do the baking and stick inserting and then we package them up.

They have become quite the hot item.  Cameron has become the Bill Gates of his class.  I even heard a kid trying to negotiate with him on an off business day.  I also heard a kid from another class ask if he could buy one with real money.  Every Friday Cameron comes home with several flavored waters from the vending machine.  We might be on to something.  I am so glad Cameron had a positive experience with this activity.  He loves making these suckers.  I however feel that if I never see another jolly rancher again it will be too soon.  Unfortunately,  I am sure we will be making these even when the mini society is over.  Really though...I am proud of Cameron for sticking with his little business.  He reminds me every week and is very eager to make these.  It has been a fun thing for us to do together.