Várzea Grande school launches mock market to teach mathematics

Students at EMEB Manoel João de Arruda in Várzea Grande have launched the ‘Mercadinho do ETA’, an educational initiative designed to teach mathematics through practical experience. The project was developed by mathematics teacher Bildinete de Almeida to address learning gaps in basic operations among students.

To simulate real-world scenarios, students use fictitious money to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while navigating a mock market. The project involved over a month of preparation, with students, parents, and school staff contributing products and packaging. The initiative aims to make learning more engaging and relatable, particularly as students become increasingly accustomed to digital payments like Pix and credit cards rather than physical currency.