Council for Economic Education
The Economics of Income: If You’re So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
If basketball players make more than teachers, why shouldn't learners all aspire to play in the NBA? Unraveling the cost and benefits of education and future economic success can be tricky. Economic data, real-life cases, and some...
Curated OER
Lesson 9: Tracking Commodities
Over the corse of a month, small groups will monitor the price of a specific energy commodity and analyze it in relation to global and domestic events. They play a trade simulation game and create infographics showing what they've...
Curated OER
Coal Supply and Demand
A hands-on simulation perfect for an economics lesson, young learners investigate the availability of different sources of natural energy (coal, natural gas, oil, solar, and nuclear) and how this availability affects their cost. Simulate...
Carolina K-12
Learning About the Federal Budget: “Get a Pencil, You’re Tackling the Deficit!”
Your class members have been selected by the president to help solve the budget crisis as part of a special deficit commission. After learning about fiscal policy, economic theories, and the federal budget through a detailed PowerPoint...
Carolina K-12
Choice, Conflict, and Compromise at the County level
With all the hubbub surrounding national elections, it's easy to forget the importance of local government. After learning about county governance and voter turnout for local elections, young citizens demonstrate how local governance...
Council for Economic Education
Satisfaction Please! (Part 3)
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...
Carolina K-12
Battle Behind the Pumps
After considering the role that gasoline plays in our lives and our dependence on it as a society, learners participate in a reading activity discussing why oil prices are increasing. They will then simulate being members of a committee...
Boston University
Scramble for Africa
For this fantastic simulation, your young historians take on the roles of imperialistic European countries in the nineteenth century and then "scramble" to carve up the continent of Africa! This is a very hands-on activity that will help...
Federal Reserve Bank
Turn Your Radio On
After listening to and analyzing a series of FDR's Fireside Chats, groups create their own recordings, and using New Deal programs, address a current economic condition.
Curated OER
Barter vs. Money
First graders listen to the book, Sheep in a Shop, that leads them to think about making financial decisions, trading, and the barter system. After the book is read aloud, a discussion ensues about some of the things that the sheep...
Federal Reserve Bank
Government Spending and Taxes
What types of government programs are designed to improve economic inequity in the United States? Introduce your learners to government programs, such as low-income housing, Social Security, and Medicaid, how they work to improve...
Federal Reserve Bank
On the Court with... Michael Jordan
Pupils learn foundational economic concepts and consider the importance of decision-making, how to evaluate choices and alternatives, and the benefits of consistent training and practice by learning about the early life of Michael Jordan.
Council for Economic Education
Balance of Payments (BOP)
Have you ever checked your clothes to see how many nations created them? Pupils take a deeper look at international trade and the balance of payments nations have with one another. They use calculations, simulations, and primary sources...
Curated OER
Civics
Students study community organizations and learn about the types of power used to create change. In this community study lesson, students learn about the three sectors at work in a community, public, non profit, and private. Students...
Curated OER
Labor Markets
Students examine labor markets by participating in an employer/employee simulation and in group discussions. They discuss mandated employee benefits and predict the effect they have on various parties.
Curated OER
Economics/Emissions
Learners produce manufactured good, monitor energy consumption, encounter international government regulations, make choices about emissions and energy, and share findings in order to understand how international commerce could affect...
Council for Economic Education
Sand Art Brownies
Which is better, Coke or Pepsi? Pupils analyze the concept of substitute goods as they investigate the choice to purchase alternate products for better prices. Fun and practical, the engaging shopping exercise helps savvy scholars get...
Federal Reserve Bank
The Free Silver Movement and Inflation
Why are US dollars no longer backed by gold and silver? What is our medium of exchange, and what would it be like to live in a barter economy? Learners consider these questions, as well as learn about the major historical events in the...
Curated OER
Trading Rendezvous
Students explore the fur trade between the settlers and Native Americans. Through class discussion, students explain and give examples of how the fur trade worked. In groups, they simulate the fur trade using materials provided by the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
NAACP's Anti-Lynching Campaign in the 1930s
Students examine the anti-lynching campaign sponsored by the NAACP in the 1930's. In this social justice lesson, students study the history of the anti-lynching campaign and determine why it was not successful. Students conduct research...
Federal Reserve Bank
The Fed’s Toolbox
This lesson is packed with instructional material and activities on the Federal Reserve System, monetary policy, and the relationship between bank reserves, interest rates, employment, and price stability.
Delegation of the European Union to the United States
The Single Market and Free Trade
What are the benefits of a single EU market? Class members conclude their examination of the European Union by focusing on the single market concept designed to bring down barriers, create more jobs, and increase prosperity.
Curated OER
Why Money?
Students participate in a trading simulation to learn about barter and the benefits of using money. In this barter lesson, students participate in a trading simulation and learn about coincidence of wants. Students then use money cards...
Curated OER
The Black Plague
Young scholars participate in a simulation game to experience the societal effects of the Black Plague during the Medieval Period. Information garnered during the game is used to discuss the current state of communicable diseases in...