Classroom City:

A Guide for Parents and Guardians

Dear 4th Grade Parents and Guardians:

We will be starting an interactive educational simulation called, Classroom City. It is a project which focuses on math, economy, citizenship, and entrepreneurship. Students will be completely involved in Classroom City, as they earn salaries, run businesses, hold public office, pay rent for their desk, and save money for their taxes.

Please review this parent guide, detach and complete the “return” slip with any questions that you may have, and send it back to school by Wednesday, May 6th .

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Connolly and Mr. Leight

Parkside 4th Grade Teachers

CLASSROOM CITY INFORMATION:

Salaried Positions

There are select number of positions students can hold in our city that pay good salaries. There will be additional positions available, such as mayor, bank president, sheriff, deputy, and city accountant. These positions are optional and will require students to write a one paragraph speech explaining why they would be the best person for that job.

Business Opportunities

All students have the opportunity to become business owners in Classroom City. There are start-up costs, of course, to be paid in the currency of our city: Classroom City Dollars. A business license must be purchased, and students will pay for these expenses with their initial weekly salary.

Some parents purchase items for their children to sell in Classroom City. If you decide to do this, please do not exceed $15. It is not fair to other students who cannot afford to do this. It is not necessary to spend any real money to have a successful business. Hard work is more important than anything else in running a successful business.

Please discuss these options with your child. Discuss whether or not your child will be allowed to bring items from home to use in their business. The transactions are real. If your child sells Beanie Babies for Classroom City Dollars, she will not get the Beanie Babies back at the end. If your child wants to sell items from home, make sure they are the kind of items you would put out at next summer’s yard sale! Edible Items will not be permitted.

BUSINESS IDEAS

Business Ideas That Cost No Real Money

·  A newspaper column (The teacher will make copies for a small fee of Classroom City dollars)

·  Chair cushion rental (Those old cushions from the basement)

·  Junk store (Clean out the closets and basement – get rid of all that junk)

·  Music Dee Jay (Bring your own CD’s; use the teacher’s CD player-music choices to be pre-approved by teacher)

·  Nail Salon

·  Student-created comics, trading cards, artwork (Pay for classroom art supplies with Classroom City dollars)

·  Digital photography (school camera and printers can be used, for a fee of Classroom City dollars)

·  Cleaning Business (clean and organize student desks, do jobs for teacher)

·  Fortune teller

·  Hand-held back massager

Business Ideas That Cost a Small Amount of Real Money

·  Crafts & hand-made jewelry

·  Small novelties purchased from Oriental Trading or dollar store

·  Stickers, School supplies

FOOD ITEMS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED FOR STORES

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CLASSROOM CITY RETURN SLIP

Student Name ______

o  I have received and read the Parent/Guardian Guide for Classroom City.

Parent/Guardian Signature ______

Date ______

Questions for the teacher:

______

______