Based on the true story of Kyle McDonald, a Canadian blogger who bartered his way from a red paper clip to a house in a series of online trades, students will be given one red paper clip to make trades for this project – either online or in person. They will have two weeks to make as many trades as they can. They will be blogging about their progress as they go along.
The goal of this assignment is three-fold. The class will explore choice and voluntary trade as a way to increase someone’s wealth. The class also will explore how technology and the 21st century have eliminated many barriers to trade and increased wealth as a result. Students write about the experience trading in blog form using narrative writing techniques. They will communicate understanding of key economic concepts, and reflect on their learning throughout the process. Students will submit their blog posts, reflect on the trading experience, and orally present their final item to the class, detailing their experience.
