The village has twenty different businesses, including a restaurant, a bank, a television studio, a radio station, and a newspaper. There is a grocery store, a pharmacy, a city hall, and several professional offices.
Eight weeks before the trip, the children began studying economic education objectives that taught them about writing checks, keeping a checkbook register, applying for a job, and working in groups. Darcy was hired as the bookkeeper for McDonald's. I was assigned to the newspaper.
The day began with the students in their businesses. Each student had a book explaining his/her position and the preparations needed for the start of the workday.
The bookkeepers processed the paychecks for the employees. Each employee received three paychecks throughout the day that were to be deposited and/or cashed at the bank. That money could then be used to shop at the businesses in the village. Cash is only accepted at a few places, so the children had to open checking accounts.
The bookkeeper worked on a computer and printed out the checks. The other checks processed were for bills the company received throughout the day. The first check Darcy wrote was to the supply company.
The day officially began after the national anthem, where all the employees gathered in the center of the village. The mayor started the workday, and the children began scrambling. At the newspaper, we had a photographer, a reporter, an editor, an ad salesman, and a bookkeeper.
Each business also had a television so the students could watch the HSN network where student hosts hawked all sorts of items. Students could pick up the main phone in the village or use the phone in their community to place an order or make a comment. Telephones were also used to request songs at the radio station. HSN was one of the businesses run by our school, and watching our student "hosts" was quite entertaining.
Each child had to take three breaks. Before each break, the employees received one paycheck, where they then headed to the bank to endorse the check and decided how much to deposit or how much cash he/she needed for the break. Then off he/she went to spend the money. All the money had to be used by the close of the day.
While half of the kids were on a break, the other half picked up those positions if necessary. Darcy got to serve up hamburgers, chicken nuggets, sodas, salads, popcorn, and cookies. The food at McDonald's is real food ordered ahead of time and brought to the facility an hour before lunch. The McDonald's crew had to unload and put the food under warmers until they had customers to serve. They also had to keep the tables clean and sweep the floors.
The bookkeepers processed the paychecks for the employees. Each employee received three paychecks throughout the day that were to be deposited and/or cashed at the bank. That money could then be used to shop at the businesses in the village. Cash is only accepted at a few places, so the children had to open checking accounts.
The bookkeeper worked on a computer and printed out the checks. The other checks processed were for bills the company received throughout the day. The first check Darcy wrote was to the supply company.
Each business also had a television so the students could watch the HSN network where student hosts hawked all sorts of items. Students could pick up the main phone in the village or use the phone in their community to place an order or make a comment. Telephones were also used to request songs at the radio station. HSN was one of the businesses run by our school, and watching our student "hosts" was quite entertaining.
Each child had to take three breaks. Before each break, the employees received one paycheck, where they then headed to the bank to endorse the check and decided how much to deposit or how much cash he/she needed for the break. Then off he/she went to spend the money. All the money had to be used by the close of the day.
At the professional offices, there was a lawyer who had two cases. Another school had this business, but two years ago, when Madison went on this field trip, she was the town lawyer. The lawyer must review the cases, conduct an investigation, and interview witnesses. One of the cases this year was someone suing McDonald's for slipping on a dropped pickle.
By the end of the day, the bookkeepers must tally the books. Darcy had to count the profits (McDonald's was the only cash business), deduct the bills and salaries, and come up with the day's earnings. She then had to take the money to the bank and make the deposit.
She also had to get up at the end of the day at the town meeting and inform everyone of McDonald's profit. Of course, McDonald's was the business that brought in the most significant gain....$135.50.
Also, at the town meeting, the mayor gave a speech and awarded the "business of the day." The museum gave away a T' shirt from a drawing that they held throughout the day. The lawyer announced the outcome of the two cases, and the charity announced its take on donations.
Darcy won the T'shirt! I donated some money to the village and got a "volunteer survivor" T' shirt.
We were all exhausted as we left for the day, but we all agreed that it was one of the best experiences ever...especially for school!
Also, at the town meeting, the mayor gave a speech and awarded the "business of the day." The museum gave away a T' shirt from a drawing that they held throughout the day. The lawyer announced the outcome of the two cases, and the charity announced its take on donations.
Darcy won the T'shirt! I donated some money to the village and got a "volunteer survivor" T' shirt.
We were all exhausted as we left for the day, but we all agreed that it was one of the best experiences ever...especially for school!
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