Seagulls soak in business knowledge at Lakeview farmers market activity

May 13, 2026

The elation registered on Blakely’s face this spring as she realized her farmers market stand was turning into a runaway success.
 
“My necklaces have all sold out!” Blakely said as she pointed to her empty desk.
 
Blakely’s third grade classmates shared her entrepreneurial excitement during an economic activity at Lakeview Elementary School. Three classrooms buzzed with sounds of business deals next to rows of farmers market booths. They displayed their new knowledge about goods, services, consumers and producers throughout the afternoon.
 
Blakely and one of her friends created a jewelry company that featured a wide selection of paper keychains, necklaces and bracelets. She said business had been brisk because of the good deals that the company was offering.
 
“If you buy two bracelets, you can have one necklace for free,” Blakely said.

 
Leila presented additional merchandise for purchase in another classroom. She made paper boats and hats to sell at her farmers market adventure. She added a price of $3 per each item – causing several people to reach into their wallets and purses for fake Lakeview $1 bills.
 
“It was really good when they bought them,” Leila said. “One of my friends decided to buy all of the hats, and one person decided to buy all of my boats.”
 
Lakeview Principal Susan Hershberger and third grade teacher Judy Reis said they were thrilled to watch students make those kinds of educational connections. The farmers market capped a three-week social studies unit about basic principles of economics. Students learned how customers can find products that they need at different businesses. They also discovered why it is important for stores to create goods and services for people to buy.
 
“Having students participate in a farmers market gives them firsthand experience on what it is like to be both the producer and consumer,” Hershberger said. “They have so much fun doing this!”
 
“I feel like before learning this, students didn’t really realize that when you go to a store, you’re buying something, and the stores are selling a good to you,” Reis said. “When we really break it down and learn about each part of selling things, it really helps them understand that better.”

 
Students like Blakely and Leila spent the first part of the unit talking about Lincoln farmers markets. Reis and fellow third grade teachers Amina Ganic and Monserrat Rendon shared why farmers' markets offer different goods and services for people to choose from. They also examined how customers can learn about possible selections through advertising campaigns.
 
The Seagulls then crafted their own goods to sell at their farmers market. Teachers offered an initial list of suggestions, but many students used their imagination to expand the final catalog of items. They sold jewelry, fruits, vegetables, ice cream, desserts, meats, smoothies, lemonade, boats, hats and other paper-styled products.
 
“We looked at all of the examples of what you can sell, and it just kind of brought ideas to all of the students,” Reis said. “Mostly, they came up with their own ideas. It was so cool seeing them bring their creativity out.”
 
Half of the students in each class portrayed producers at the beginning of the farmers market, and the other half used fake cash to buy their items. They then reversed the roles for the second half of the activity. Teachers gave each student a paper bag to use as a basket. They then proudly stocked each bag with orange carrots, colorful flowers, smooth popsicles and fashionable bracelets.
 
The activity gave the Seagulls several chances to practice their problem-solving skills. In addition to choosing what items they might want to purchase, they also determined if deals like “buy one, get one free” were worth it. Several students also gave tips to classmates if they were happy with their customer service.

 
Blakely said she was pleased with how her day was going. A steady stream of customers came to her desk to pick out jewelry items to wear around Lincoln.
 
“I feel like I’ve been doing a really good job on selling things,” Blakely said. “People love coming to my store because I have made so much jewelry so that they can buy it.”
 
Blakely said the farmers market activity had inspired her to create an electronics business when she grows up. Why did she want to sell that type of merchandise?
 
“Because I love playing on electronics,” Blakely said.
 
Reis said she was impressed with the enthusiasm students showed throughout the week. She heard several reports of Seagulls wanting to extend their business hours beyond the farmers market day. She felt that showed a deeper understanding of the classroom material.
 
“I have a lot of students going home and telling their parents about the farmers market and how they want to keep making things at home and then bringing it to school,” Reis said. “They absolutely love it.”
 
Reis completed her student teaching at Lakeview and has led classrooms there for the past six years. She said the farmers market is one example of how Lakeview students can excel and grow through purposeful instruction, guidance and encouragement.
 
“It’s always fun, and we always look forward to it,” Reis said.
 
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