Running a Classroom Business

A real business teaches real economics. Revenue, costs, profits become felt, not abstract. An unsold product reveals the market — the honest control. Indirect aim: arithmetic in civic form, entrepreneurship, cosmic task of contributing to community.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Practical Life
• Learning area: Practical Life — Elementary
• Level: Ages 7-9

Objectives

• Identify a product or service the class can offer
• Price, produce, sell, and reconcile revenue
• Reinvest or donate profits
• Learn basic business cycle

Materials

• Business plan template
• Cash box, ledger
• Product materials (baked goods, crafts, seedlings)
• Signage and price tags

Instructions

1. Brainstorm products/services. 2. Estimate costs and prices. 3. Write a business plan. 4. Produce inventory. 5. Set up and sell (bake sale, craft fair). 6. Reconcile cash vs ledger. 7. Compute profit = revenue − costs. 8. Vote on how to use profits.

Educator tip

The first business often loses money. That IS the lesson — set up to fail safely once. By the third attempt, the team profits.

Assessment

Observe planning, execution, reconciliation, and reflection on what worked.

More from Practical Life

• Planning a Multi-Day Class Trip
• Cooking a Traditional Dish from a Studied Culture
• Sewing a Simple Garment from a Pattern
• Maintaining the Classroom Calendar
• Hosting a Parent Evening
• Volunteering at a Local Non-Profit
• Journalism — Writing for a Real Audience
• Personal Self-Care Routine