During the past six months, my math and science students participated in a classroom economics project. Each day that a student was present in class, $100 was deposited into his or her checking account. In return, students were required to pay the bank if they broke a classroom rule that was established to provide a safe learning environment for all students.

Students learned how to handle a checking account that incorporated math skills in conjunction with direct deposit and paying bills. They developed work place skills in order to be successful in the 21st Century such as being prompt with work assignments and effectively collaborating with other students. Students worked toward membership in the $5,000 CLUB (also known as the Bill Gates Club), which rewards students with choices of seating and choices of assignments. Students learned to self-manage their behavior and thereby gained more freedom within the classroom. Students realized that increased freedom brought on increased responsibilities to retain the earned freedom.

The culminating event of this project is “the auction.” The students use the money from their individual accounts to bid on and purchase merchandise. This year we were able to auction off valuable gift certificates, fishing gear, sporting equipment, professional framed photographs and many more items. My students and I would like to extend a big “thank you” to the many parents and Arlington businesses that donated money, merchandise or hours of work. Your efforts and generosity made the culminating auction very successful.

Participating Arlington businesses are Action Sports, Alfy’s Pizza, All Creatures, Arlington Denny’s, Arlington Hardware, Arlington Pharmacy, Bigfoot Music, Century 21, Countrywide, Cycle Barn, Domino’s, Eagle Crest Restaurant, Edward Jones, Farmers Insurance, Favorite Pastime, Food Pavilion, Game Crazy, Gold’s Gym, Gutierrez Family Chiropractic, Haggens, Hook Line & Sinker, KFC, Local Scoop, Las Coronas, Magic Shears, Mailbox Depot, Major League Pizza, McDonalds, Papa Murphy’s, Paradise Burgers, Pizza Factory, Quiznos Sub, Reader’s Choice, Safeway, Schwans Photography, Smokey Point Cleaners, Smokey Point Jewelry & Pawn, Starbucks, Super Mini Mart, Tacos Guaymas, Teri’s Hallmark, Teriyaki Point, Virtual Floor and Washington Mutual.

Sally Cantrell