Engaging Market Play

Grade Level

1st Grade

Duration

30 minutes

Unit

Exploring Goods and Services (Lesson 4 of 10)

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Common Core State Standards Alignment

Social Studies & Literacy Connections

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.3: Describe connections between individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.8: With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
• NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies) Themes: Production, Distribution, and Consumption; Civic Ideals and Practices

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Learning Objectives (I Can Statements)

• I can explain the difference between producers and consumers in a market.
• I can prepare goods or services to offer in a classroom market.
• I can participate in a market simulation by engaging as both a producer and consumer.
• I can complete a Market Simulation Plan to organize my role and products.

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Success Criteria

• Completion of a Market Simulation Plan worksheet.
• Active participation in role-playing as a producer and consumer.
• Ability to discuss what goods or services they prepared and made available.
• Collaboration with classmates during the simulation.

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Materials Needed

• Market Simulation Plan worksheet (includes visuals and text)
• Example pictures of goods and services (for dyslexia-friendly support)
• Art supplies (construction paper, crayons, markers, stickers)
• Pre-made goods (e.g., paper crafts or simple handmade items)
• "Market Stall" name tags or labels for student booths
• Visual schedule chart for the day’s activities
• Tokens or classroom currency for buying and selling

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Review (5 minutes)

• Objective: Remind students about goods and services.
• Use a visual anchor chart with pictures representing producers, consumers, goods, and services.
• Ask: "Who can remember what a good is?" and "Can you tell me what a service means?"
• Briefly discuss roles in a market.

2. Explain Market Simulation Plan (5 minutes)

• Show the Market Simulation Plan worksheet with large visuals and simple text (dyslexia-friendly).
• Go over each section:
  • What will you produce? (Goods or services)
  • How will you prepare it?
  • How will you sell or share it?
• Model completing a plan with a sample product (e.g., a paper crown).
• Support students by assigning roles tailored to their engagement levels (differentiation):
  • Makers (create goods/services)
  • Sellers (help run stalls)
  • Buyers (use tokens to purchase)
  • Helpers (support peers needing assistance)

3. Student Work on Market Simulation Plan (7 minutes)

• Distribute worksheets and art supplies.
• Support students one-on-one as needed.
• Encourage students to choose or invent simple goods/services they can prepare for the next class day or within the classroom market.

4. Group Sharing & Visual Schedule Review (5 minutes)

• Students share their plans briefly with a partner or small group.
• Use the visual schedule to review the steps for the next phase (Market Day 2), ensuring clarity and structure.
• Confirm that each student understands their role.

5. Wrap-up & Reflection (3 minutes)

• Ask students to share one thing they are excited about for the market simulation.
• Reiterate success criteria and positive behaviors for the next lesson.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For students with reading difficulties or dyslexia:
  • Use large, clear fonts with high contrast on worksheets.
  • Include plenty of pictorial cues and minimize text.
  • Provide verbal instructions and repeat as needed.
• For English Language Learners:
  • Pair with bilingual partners or visual aids.
  • Use simple language and gestures.
• For students needing engagement boosts:
  • Assign active roles (selling, demonstrating service) to kinesthetic learners.
• For students needing extra support:
  • Provide one-on-one assistance completing the simulation plan.

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Extension Activity

• Encourage advanced or highly engaged students to create additional products or services beyond the basic plan.
• They can design price tags or small advertisements (drawings or simple writing) to promote their stall.
• Challenge them to think creatively about needs and wants in the classroom market.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observe student participation in the Market Simulation Plan creation and sharing.
• Collect completed Market Simulation Plans and check for understanding of roles, goods, and services.
• Use questioning to assess comprehension during discussions.

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Teacher’s Notes

• Keep instructions simple and visually supported for young learners.
• Reinforce positive behavior and collaborative skills throughout.
• Use the visual schedule to provide predictability and reduce anxiety.
• Plan to continue simulation in the next lesson by running the actual classroom market.

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This highly interactive, standards-aligned lesson equips 1st graders with foundational economic concepts through hands-on engagement, communication, and collaboration—making learning meaningful and memorable.