Student’s Flea Market

Learning the value of a dollar

Lisa Kunz

06/05/2008 - “Going once, going twice, sold.” Those were the words that auctioneer and teacher, Mrs. Joyce Campbell, shouted over the noise in the Multi-Purpose Room to end the flea market taking place last Thursday at Gilpin County RE-1 School.

  The students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade had a chance all year to gather “Scholar Dollars” for assignments well done or good behavior. Teachers awarded the Scholar Dollars for being an outstanding student or turning in a great homework assignment or sometimes, for students simply doing their best, regardless of the grade on the homework. The Dollars were stashed into desks or hidden in cubbies, whatever the spot - the students gathered and guarded the make-believe money until finally the chance came to spend the coveted Scholar Dollars. 

  The students in each of the three upper grades had another assignment first however; they were to accumulate items from home which they thought other students would buy. Out from under beds and out of closets came treasures that had been outgrown or long forgotten. Large bags and boxes were seen arriving at school as early as Tuesday and the challenge was on to price the items not too high, not too low, but “just right” to get the student buyers interested in buying their items. At 10 am the students rushed into the Multi-Purpose Room, each vying for the perfect spot to display and hawk their wares. Some choose tables, some choose the floor, but all took this exercise as entrepreneurs very seriously. As well they should. They had no idea that amongst all the fun, there was a lesson to be learned.

  Miss Manier, fourth grade teacher and math teacher for the three upper elementary grades, had just spent the end of the year teaching the children lessons in economics and personal financial responsibility. The students were given a “check book” and were taught how a transaction record was kept. In addition, they learned to budget for the necessities of life. They received paychecks each week and had to pay their bills from their check books. The lessons were well received and, as was apparent at the flea market, well learned.

  The first table inside the door was manned by three students from the fifth grade, who, being business minded, had teamed together to have more items to  sell, thus making more of an eye-catching display to grab the buyers’ attention. Stephanie Siegrist had her DW doll (from the Arthur series on PBS), Cheyenne Gerhardus had raided her closet and had cute girl clothes for sale, and Zach Walters had used books. These three were expecting a brisk business and went so far as to have a management/accounting position employed by Zach. He sat diligently at the table and recorded each sale, noting the name of the buyer and how much his fellow students were spending on purchases from his table.

  A stroll around the room showed the variety of items on sale as well as the thought that went into each student’s idea of what other students would buy. Nicole Morse had a pink purse and books for sale. Veronica Battany had a battery operated clapping polar bear, not for sale, but simply as an attention getter so she could sell the other items she had displayed. Marie Larsen had baked goods and toys, Ali Nelson had her own original artwork for sale, Chloe Rapp had little girl wares all reasonably priced, while Cody Richards sold out quickly hawking bubbles and videos. One table, manned by Skylar, displayed a “Booth Closed” sign as the temptation to buy must have overcome the patience to sell. Some fifth grade boys did well in a corner, sharing both floor and table, with a sports minded booth. Dylan Kunz had sponge footballs and Frisbees for sale, while sharing space next door, Dalton Smulders sold baseball cards. There were even refreshments (cookies and juice) provided by Coleman Johnson. Great teamwork on that booth! Ivy Crump sold the most delicious homemade sweet pretzels (this reporter purchased two) right next to Bjorn Tomlinson who had a Santa on a Hog for sale. Another group of boys, self named The Three Musketeers, being comprised of fourth graders Jon Lovett, Chase Boulter and Jonathan Ramsey, sold books and cookies and seemed to be doing a great business. The buyers had as much fun as the sellers and even members of the public who attended seemed to be scouring each table for the “must have” deal of the day.

  When it appeared the  rummage had all been sold-fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Joyce Campbell, brought the day to a dramatic conclusion by conducting an auction of treasures (some unidentified and in boxes). The boxes appeared to be brand new and the thought of buying something unidentified tantalized the children and made it all that much more fun for the students. The first item to be auctioned was in an 8x8” blue box and the bidding was fast and furious. The competitive spirit caught on quickly and the students were outbidding each other faster than the auctioneer could keep up. In the end, the lucky bidder, out bidding himself twice, won a lovely musical tea pot for a mere $605 in Scholar Bucks, or the equivalent of six extra credit literacy projects. 

  The public is invited to the adult Gilpin County Flea Market taking place June 7 and 8 from 9-4 at the Community Center. If the success of the kid’s school flea market is any indication, there will be treasures to be unearthed for everyone!