Long before money became the nexus of buying and selling goods, people earned their living and acquired what they needed through trading.
The third-graders at Leonard Elementary learned all about the art of bartering last week as they transformed their gymnasium into an historical French trading post such as those once frequented by the explorers who roamed this land.
Using brown slips of paper that represented the pelts of fur-bearing animals, the students acquired goods from each other. They were also allowed to trade goods.
Items available for trade included baked goods, book marks, decorated rocks, pencil toppers, root beer floats, paper airplanes and wallets in which to store your pelts.
Not only was operating the trading post a great hands-on lesson, it was also a competition to see who could accumulate the most pelts.
Third-graders Lexi Seitz and Ian Bently took first place by collecting 66 pelts for their homemade ‘super slime.?
Lynnanne LaFave, Mallorie Loree and Mckenna Little won second place, accumulating 53 pelts by offering delicious root beer floats.
In third place was Addison Matz, whose rocks painted like ladybugs earned her 26 pelts. ? Editor C.J. Carnacchio