Media Smarts
Bias in News Sources
As young consumers of media, it is important for high schoolers to explore concepts of bias and prejudice, and how they may be present in media. After discussing ideological messages that media can contain, individuals complete a warm-up...
Curated OER
Journalism: Underage Drinking
Students research underage drinking and read a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association about the issue. They interview experts on substance abuse and liquor store owners about their policies. Students publish their...
Curated OER
Youth Obesity: Schools Fight Back
Kids fight obesity by comparing the USDA food intake suggestions to what they personally consume throughout the day. They watch a video, read texts, and explore related vocabulary which they use as they compose an oral presentation.
Curated OER
Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...
Facing History and Ourselves
Social Media and Ferguson
How can social media help or hinder civil dialogue? How can information shared on social media be verified? As the investigation of media reports of the events surrounding the shooting of Michael Brown continues, class members read news...
Practical Money Skills
Saving and Investing
You have to have money to make money, especially in the world of banking and investments. High schoolers learn about interest rates, saving and investment options, and ways to stay aware of their money's security and earning ability with...
Curated OER
Food Testing and Tasting
Students list the attributes of chocolate as an unprocessed and processed substance. They conduct a taste test of various chocolate bars and give a
rating for each attribute they previously listed. Students create a consumer review...
Curated OER
Studying Checks
While on-line banking and electronic payments seem to be the way of the future, next-generation wage earners still need to understand the details of check writing. Here the focus is on the details of the check including what the...
PwC Financial Literacy
Saving and Investing: Investing for the Future
A fine lesson on saving and investing is here for you and your middle schoolers. In it, learners explore the values of time and money, and discover how small amounts of money invested over time can grow into a large "pot of gold." They...
PricewaterhouseCoopers
The Stock Market
Keep or sell? Young learners simulate as buyers in the stock market while learning about the benefits and important factors to know when purchasing. The thorough resource allows for observation of case studies and provides an assessment...
ProCon
Prescription Drug Ads
Bayer Pharmaceuticals sold heroin as a cough medicine in the 1900s ... who knew? Scholars discover this, and other interesting facts, when they use the resource to prepare for a class discussion or debate. They browse videos, readers'...
Curated OER
Playground Safety Check
Young scholars study a playground safety checklist, conduct a safety check of the schoolyard and/or local playground and write a report about their findings, # present the report to school or community leaders
PLS 3rd Learning
Shopping for a Credit Card
Young people often get themselves into trouble with credit cards because they don't fully understand interest rates, fees, etc. This activity requires teens to research and record information on three different credit cards in order to...
EduGAINs
Consumerism, Me and the Natural Environment— Canadian and World Studies
Just as no man is an island, no country is totally independent of other countries. To understand the impact of individual consumer decisions on the global natural environment, class groups consider how the stuff they purchase connects to...
Council for Economic Education
Inflation Data: Is the Economy Healthy?
What stories do current trends tell about society, fashion, and the future? Scholars investigate the concept of inflation and its impact on the future of the American economy. They compile current economic data to determine the level of...
Curated OER
Oil: The Problem or Solution to the World's Economic Future
Learners map the major oil producing and consuming countries and regions. They identify current and future topographic and political problems that could affect the production and transportation of oil.
Curated OER
Hunger in the World
Consider various aspects of world hunger in this writing lesson. After taking a pre-test, middle and high schoolers play a map game, analyze and discuss world statistics, and write a report on an assigned country. The lesson can apply to...
Curated OER
Hopeful Eyes on Southern Skies
The Times covered a drought in 2011, which affected producers, consumers, and sellers. The class gets informed about climate and the economics of agriculture as the read this article and answer each of the 11 comprehension questions. A...
Federal Reserve Bank
What Do Financial Market Indicators Tell Us?
Explain the four categories of financial indicators (commodity prices, stock indexes, interest rates, and yield spreads), and help your class members understand how changes in this data can affect decisions regarding consumer spending,...
Practical Money Skills
Understanding Credit
Help your young consumers learn about credit and the importance of credit history. With a thorough instructional activity about the ins and outs of credit, as well as the potential pitfalls of having a line of credit, kids will be...
It's About Time
Accidents
Did you know that cars weren't designed for passenger safety until the 1960s? The lesson starts with a quick quiz on automobile safety. Then, scholars evaluate three cars for their safety features. This is the third in a set of nine...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Assessing Self-Concept
A "My Self-Concept Report Card" worksheet launches a activity about the importance of positive self-talk. After completing the worksheet, individuals make a list of the things they would do to improve or maintain a positive self-concept.
Curated OER
Recycled Paper
Sixth graders keep track of the amount of paper they consume on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. The goal of the lesson is to have them all find ways to reduce the amount they use. Everyone creates recycled paper from old newspapers...
Curated OER
Be Water Wise!
Rally your administration and facilities manager to let your class examine the water flow rates in different areas of the school. After the audit, the class researches opportunites for conserving water and writes a report or develops a...