The topic of consumerism seems easy to those who participate actively in the US economy, but pupils who are new to economics may see the idea as foreign. Help them understand their rights as consumers and what to expect when interacting...

An item that lasts forever becomes truly priceless. The video teaches about the political theories pondered by William Morris. Featuring primary sources, visual aids, and an interesting narrative, scholars are both entertained and...

Can capitalism have virtue? Adam Smith thinks so! The 12th video in a series of 13 discusses Smith's political and economic views. Pupils discover these concepts and more through primary source photographs and examples that relate to...

The war is over! Scholars investigate an AP review video to uncover the post-WWII era in the United States. Viewers examine and analyze the consumerism that arose in post-war America. This is the eighth installment of a nine-part series. 

It's the moment of truth. Previous lessons in the 24-part series had scholars design and develop shampoo formulas using chemical concepts. The 18th lesson asks them to test the function of their shampoos. To do this, they calculate the...

How do the products you use rate on a greeness scale? Scholars use a tool to analyze shampoos and cars for their sustainability. They consider factors that affect the environment, the economy, and equity. This is the ninth instructional...

The world of computing has come a long way since ENIAC. The 24th installment of a Crash Course Computer Science series focuses on how historical events have propelled advances in computing. From the Cold War to the Space Race to mass...

Even if a school has gone digital, chances are there's still plenty of paper being used. The three activities help scholars learn about the environmental impact of paper and another consumer products of their choosing, the issue of...

A short, engaging video provides a critique of the hyper-consumerist mentality that many think have taken over the Western world. After watching the video, pupils reflect on their own habits and use evidence to respond to discussion and...

Is the expansion of American corporations abroad a good or bad thing? After examining the global operations of Ford Motor Company, McDonald's, and Walmart, class members are asked to evaluate the impact of globalization and consumerism.

To increase awareness and launch a discussion of consumerism, class members view What Would It Look Like, a 25 minute film of images that capture the global effects of the consumption of goods. Viewers make a list of the images that they...

Help class members become savvy consumers with a series of activities that has them analyzing marketing strategies, comparing the value of brand name versus off-brand clothing, and considering the advantages and disadvantages of shopping...

If you receive poor service, should you contact the FDA or the BBB? Discuss important economic terms with a vocabulary practice page. Learners fill in the blanks after each concept and elaborate on its function in the economy.

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...

Most students are familiar with the phrase, "Keep up with the Joneses." This resource offers one possible explanation for the origin of the expression, examines the some effects of this consumerism, and then asks readers to consider why...

Does consumer spending really grow the economy? Check out this well-produced, comical and memorable video to consider this question with your young economists. 

If you've seen the popular Disney Pixar animated film WALL-E, did you catch the film's allusions to key economic concepts as the tragedy of the commons, collective ownership, personal incentive, and consumerism? It's all there, and...

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a credit card? Don't miss this important life skills and financial literacy lesson, which focuses on consumer responsibilities, creditworthiness, and establishing a credit history.

Bring a reading of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax to life with this reader's theater script. Simply assign roles and read through the script as a class, or spend time creating props and costumes for a school-wide performance, the choice is yours....

Learners discover Buy Nothing Day. In this consumer awareness lesson, students discuss their spending habits and consider the effects of mass consumerism. Learners discuss alternative activities to shopping on Buy Nothing Day.

Learners read a script that helps them understand the ins and outs of consumerism. They watch a video (not included), and engage in two additional activities. The lesson engages critical thinking skills and brings awareness to the...

What kinds of foods include corn? Corn syrup? Start by viewing a clip of Food Inc. with your middle or high schoolers. Then, study a list of corn-derived ingredients, encouraging your class to see how many food products contain corn. A...

Students explore media studies by analyzing advertisements in class. In this visual storytelling lesson, students discuss advertisements they see daily in their home life and how images are used to send messages which target their...

Is, as Walt Whitman contends, America’s “almost maniacal appetite for wealth,” the heart of the American dream? Class members grapple with this question as they read David Brooks’ article “The Commercial Republic,” and quotes that...