King : York 6 : Takin' Care of Business

York 6 - Takin' Care of Business


Student Views of the Expedition
A multimedia feature produced by students of York 6.  Media by Ben, Isaac, Anthony, Clare, Dylan, and Bridget


Introduction:

Taking Care of Business is a learning expedition for students in York 6.  We learned about what it takes to run a small business, we created our own businesses, and tested our ideas in a business carnival for fellow-students and families. The guiding questions for the expedition were:
  • What are the challenges and rewards of developing a small business?
  • And what makes a successful business?

 
See the Movie

Kickoff:

We invited four local business owners, two of whom were students' fathers, to come speak to us about running a business. They talked about the challenges, payoffs, and in general the work that goes into creating a business. Afterwards, we went down to the cafeteria for a delicious brunch of eggs, pancakes, and all sorts of desserts. While everyone collected their food, Mr. Michaud led us in a rousing song of Build Me Up Buttercup, and everyone sang along. Once everyone had finished piling their plates, our teaching strategist, Mr. Sibley, talked to us about the spirit of expeditionary learning. When he had finished, everyone clapped, and enjoyed the rest of their delightful brunch in complete happiness.

Fieldwork:

Our fieldwork for the expedition included a trip to the Maine Mall.  We interviewed business owners and employees to find out about how real businesses work.  We conducted surveys to see how potential customers responded to businesses, comparing how many people bought things versus how many people were just window shoppers.  We also did a scavenger hunt that showed us all of the different ways that products are sold and advertised at the mall.  You can see a video of our trip here.

See the Movie

Listen to our commercials

Our Businesses:

At the carnival we had a total of 27 businesses. As a grand total all the business made an astounding $10,200 in York money. In real money we made over 590 real dollars! We also were turning in box tops for $2 each in York money and as a house we turned in an amazing amount of 2,200 box tops! We also set the record for the most money ever made for this expedition! The business that made the most was... Joe's Grab Bags with $933!

One of things we enjoyed most was making our business commercials in music class.  Click here to listen to our commercials.

The Culminating Event: A Stormy End for Takin' Care of Business

While most King students went home for holiday vacation on Friday, December 21st, the students and teachers of York 6 made final preparations for the culmination of their “Takin’ Care of Business” expedition.

Originally scheduled for the prior Thursday night, the event was moved to Friday due to snow.   Nevertheless, parents, students and teachers packed the King gym on Friday night to peruse the booths and sample the services created by students for the expedition. There was hot chocolate, pizza, car racing, video games and more.

The students of York 6 are proud to tell you that in the short hour-and-one-half fundraising period, we raised over $590 for charity. York is proud to have such successful businesses.


Congratulations to the following business for earning the most cash.

In 1st place: Joe's Grab Bags with $933
In 2nd place: CCM and Squishy stop with $757
In 3rd place: Mini'z Pizza Parlor with $600