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...

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...

Understanding the US government's role proves very important in the American economy, especially for consumers. Scholars learn about how varying government agencies help them when facing an issue. The third and final resource in the...

Simply understanding consumer rights may not help people solve their problems. Understanding who to turn to becomes key in many different scenarios. Teach the value of various organizations that fight for consumer rights through...

Just how long does it take to pay off a credit card? Budding economists consider the question with a credit card payment simulation activity. Other materials allow pupils to research various financial services, such as banks and ATMs,...

Teach scholars why China is so crucial to global economics through an informative resource. Activities include using databases to search for information, watching a video or listening to a podcast, and reading about China's economy as a...

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. 

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...

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....

Looking at art is the first step to analyzing it. And, if you can analyze art, you can analyze anything. Kids examine several pop art pieces that represent consumerism in modern culture. They discuss multiple facets of each piece and...

How can acknowledging opposing viewpoints reinforce one's argument? Use this New York Times lesson to study consumerism and the environmental impact of new products. After reading the article "Whether a Hummer or a Hybrid, the Big...

Create an expert guide to local businesses in this lesson. Through research, young readers consider their local businesses and the services they provide, paying attention to any conflicting information they might find. Working in groups,...

Use this versatile, cross-curricular graphic organizer to demonstrate the power of words in advertising. Scholars analyze print advertisements, identifying parts of the ad that stand out. This could include color, celebrity endorsement,...

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...

Pop quiz time! After passing out a 10 question economics quiz, you'll be able to see how much your class understands economic demand. There are five multiple choice and five matching questions all related to the law of demand.

What are ads really selling? High schoolers examine persuasive techniques used by print and television advertisements. They generate a list of persuasive techniques they're familiar with, and review other types argumentation and...

Some kids know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. This careers lesson aids upper graders in considering who they are as artists and how they can profit from their art, making a career out of something they love. This is a...

How can people do their part to help protect the environment? Learners participate in an engaging jigsaw activity to discuss the causes and effects of pollution. Next, pupils develop their own innovative ideas to address an environmental...