Suzanne Buras

Buras' "Tales of a Fourth Grade Entrepreneur" project teaches students fundamental skills in a real-life context by having them manage classroom "businesses" that they create themselves. Students plan stores and stock them with items such as pens, pencils, and student-made greeting cards, calendars, and coloring books. They learn to formulate job descriptions, use a cash register, calculate taxes and discounts, make change, keep inventory, monitor costs, and maintain ledgers. They also decide how "profits" can be used to buy supplies or equipment for the school. In addition to math skills, the project enhances teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.