Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis

Mazel tov to HHAI third grade teacher Justine Skillman, who was selected by the Council for Economic Educators to receive the national John Morton Excellence in the Teaching of Economics Award at the elementary school level! She will receive $1,000 for this accomplishment. In 2017, Mrs. Skillman was recognized on thestate level with the Olin Davis Award given by the Indiana Council for Economic Education through Purdue University for excellence in economics instruction.

Mrs. Skillman teaches economic principles to her students via two instructional frameworks: a mini-economy and a classroom business. By creating and running their own small businesses and making informed decisions with their own classroom money, students develop an intrinsic understanding of abstract conceptssuch as goods, services, producers, consumers, supply, demand, inflation, and profit.

HHAI preschool students are learning about economic concepts, too! In preparation for Rosh Hashanah, the 4-year-old Ganon children created an apple market that the other early childhood classrooms were then invited to, where each child “purchased” two apples each to take home.

Preparing for and running the apple market allowed for meaningful, authentic learning experiences:

• Creating labels helped the children practice their letters, phonics, and handwriting

• Painting and drawing signs and shopping bags taught symbolic and creative representation

• Creating pretend money opened a discussion on numbers and economics

• The children practiced their math skills as they sorted, weighed, and counted apples

• Washing the shopping carts required determination and problem-solving abilities

• The children used their manners and language skills when practicing how to greet and thank their customers.

They are little entrepreneurs in the making!