Exploring Buying and Selling Activities as Economic Activities at Lakessi Traditional Market, Parepare City, as a Contextual Learning Resource for Elementary Social Studies

Abstract

This study is motivated by the suboptimal use of the surrounding environment, particularly traditional markets, as a learning resource in Social Studies learning at the elementary school level. In fact, traditional markets present various economic and social activities that can help students understand learning materials in a real and contextual way. This study aims to examine the potential of Lakessi Traditional Market in Parepare City as a Social Studies learning resource that can support experiential learning. The research uses a qualitative descriptive method focusing on the observation of economic activities and social interactions occurring in the market environment. Data collection was carried out through field observations, interviews with traders and surrounding communities, and documentation during the research process, and is supported by a literature review from various scientific sources relevant to Social Studies learning and the use of the environment as a learning resource. The results of the study show that Lakessi Traditional Market has various educational potentials relevant to Social Studies material in elementary schools, where buying and selling activities reflect production, distribution, and consumption processes that can be directly observed by students, while interactions between sellers and buyers through communication and bargaining demonstrate forms of social relations in community life. The existence of traditional markets as a learning resource provides more concrete learning experiences, thereby improving students’ understanding of Social Studies concepts, while also encouraging active engagement and fostering awareness of social and economic life in the surrounding environment.