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Narrative: This store, opened in August of 2000, is set up in a full size classroom with the fixtures similar to a regular store. With a $12,500 grant, an Advisory Council composed of a hospital representative, Wal-Mart manager, a banker, local business owners, project manager, elementary school principal, two fifth grade teachers, three parents and two students was formed to set up objective, create teaching modules, find wholesalers, and develop surveys. The Mart carries products used at home or school "For academic improvement and reinforcement or extension of career awareness and choices" and includes: flashcards, games, books, charts, workbooks, gifts and test taking books. Other items such as games, cassettes, manipulatives and software featuring career choices and academic skills are available for rent. All proceeds go toward additional products for sale in the store.
To help fifth grade students become aware of the terminology in the business world, learning modules on retailing, wholesaling, manufacturing, demographics and discounting, in addition to filling out job applications and learning the character traits of a good employee were taught by the Wal-Mart manger, David Eastes. Another goal of the project is to help raise Terra Nova test scores, especially in math, so materials are available for parents to purchase to help their child overcome learning weaknesses and become a better test taker.
It Works! The hands-on experience in operating and shopping in the "Bee" Smart Mart helps students realize how important math, spelling, and reading skills are in real life while making available other methods of learning at home. A full evaluation will be accomplished at the end of the 2000/2001 school year when the Terra Nova test scores are available. In the meantime, pretests and posttests administered with the business world teaching modules have shown great improvement in 95% of the fifth graders.
Contact:
Loretta Elrod
261 Will Thompson Road
Sparta, TN 38583-7157
(P)931-761-2277
(F)931-761-5102
E-mail: elrodl@k12th.net