18th century Spanish coin.
Simulate an economy by trading and bartering to win candy.
North Carolina Fourth Grade Goal 6.01 through 6.08.
North Carolina Fifth Grade Goal 3.02, 5.01 through 5.08.
South Carolina Fourth Grade Standard 4-2.5.
Virginia Standard CE.11, CE.12.
An economy is the way that people manage and exchange their stuff. This includes physical things, such as natural resources, goods, and land. But it also includes other things, such as work, knowledge, and skill.
When you buy a piece of land, or get paid for a job, you are exchanging stuff. You can trade a car for a piece of land. For working in a job, you might get paid in potatoes.
Money is often used to represent the stuff. So, the exchange of money is part of an economy.
Governments, businesses, and citizens work together to manage an economy. If they do it well, everyone can benefit.
How much candy did you think you would get? How much did you actually get?
Why did some people get more candy than others? How could you have received more candy? What would you do different if you played again? What did you think of the taxes? Did other people's action affect your success in the game? How was the game like a real economy?
