Ninth grade economics is anything but boring for students in Michele Jackson’s Siloam Springs High School classroom.
Whether taking a walk down the street to Cherry Berry to learn moreabout how local businesses are run, reading about how Duck Dynasty founder Phil Robertson grew his business from a sole proprietorship to national fame, or researching the supply and demand for the latest Apple gadgets, Jackson finds ways to challenge her students to get interested in economics.
“I try to make it relevant to them,” she said.
Jackson’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She recently received Economics Arkansas’ Bessie B. Moore award.
Jackson’s entry titled “Our town - using local businesses to inspire economic literacy,” won the newcomeraward for the western region. She will be recognized with nine other winners on Nov. 7 at a luncheon held in the Clinton Presidential Library’s great hall. She will receive $1,000 along with an acrylic painting.
The Bessie B. Moore contest is opento economics teachers across the state. It recognizes teachers for excellence in teaching economics, according to Valerie King, gifted and talented director for the Siloam Springs School District.
“Usually the criteria is pretty stringent so it’s really special when a teacher wins one of these,” said King. “It was quite an achievement.”
Jackson explained that her economics classes are very hands on. During the nine-week course students go on three field trips to local local businesses and nonprofits.
Students visited Fratelli’s Wood Fired Pizzeria on Tuesday morning. Scott Jones, co-owner of the business, told students the story of how he came to found the restaurant with his brother-in-law Tom Leadabrand. He pointed out the factors of production such as capital, materials, labor, equipment andentrepreneurs and how they fit in his business.
Students got a chance to watch pizza’s being made in the wood-fired oven, then taste the finished product.
Student Erica Springer said it was interesting to get out of the classroom and do something different.
“It helps us see the real world,” she said.
Emilia Otero said learning was more exciting outside the classroom.
“I think it’s cool how they use a wood oven,” she said.
Later in the course students will visit Cherry Berry, which is close enough for students to walk to rather than taking a bus,Jackson said. After touring the ice-cream shop they get to hang out and taste the ice-cream.
The hands on theme continues inside the classroom. Students in Jackson’s class get to make models with Play Dough and play Monopoly, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. They also have to calculate how inflation rates effect the values of their Monopoly properties as they go.
“I have fun, I hope they do,” she said with a laugh.
During the nine weeks students spend in Jackson’s economics class they study three current events a week. On Thursday, the news story wasScott Jones, co-owner of Fratelliís Wood Fired Pizzaria, spoke to students in Michele Jacksonís ninth grade economics class about the ingredients he uses on his authentic Italian wood fired pizzas during a field trip on Tuesday morning.
Ability Tree to learn about nonprofits and spend some time volunteering with Ability Tree students.
Economics is about managing time and resources and part of that is giving to others, Jackson explained.
“That’s just a lifelong lesson I want them to learn,” she said.
Samsung’s release of a new smart watch, Jackson said. Students also learn about personal finance skills such as balancing a checkbook, using Dave Ramsey’s high school curriculum, she said.
Throughout the course, Jackson tries to emphasize giving to others. For their final field trip students visit
News, Pages 1 on 09/10/2013