Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Did You Get the Message?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students investigate how advertising gets the buyer's attention and how it influences buying decisions. They then create a print ad for "Burp Cola" and for one of their favorite books.
Lesson Plan
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Advertising and Consumerism of the 1920's

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders discover the impact of advertising in 1920's America. In this 20th century history lesson plan, 11th graders complete KNU charts as they research marketing techniques that were used during the decade to promote consumerism.
Lesson Plan
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Threats to Validity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review the components of the scientific habits of mind. In groups, they use this information and relate it to scientific investigations. They develop strategies to evaluate information and evidence and how to question sources...
Lesson Plan
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Grocery Store Problem Solving

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students use multiple math skills to complete grocery story problems. In this grocery math lesson, students study grocery ads to learn about the cost of foods. Students investigate food types and the costs of processed versus raw foods....
Lesson Plan
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Penny Pinchers

For Teachers K
Students, by participating in a classroom toy store, are introduced to the penny.
Lesson Plan
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Consumerism Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore consumerism. In this economics lesson, students work with a partner to complete an Internet Research consumer scavenger hunt. Students discuss information collected and conflicting answers to various questions.
Lesson Plan
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The Pennsylvania Turnpike: Then and Now

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For this Pennsylvania history activity, students use primary documents to study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In a culminating activity, students create an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transformations: Dilating Functions

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students dilate functions using transformation. For this algebra lesson, students complete vertical dilation, stretch and shrink. They perform reflection across the x and y axis.
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What Does Percent Have to Do With It?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders go shopping for a real life experience involving percent. They explore the concepts of sales tax and discount prices.
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"Tarantula Shoes," by Tom Birdseye

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Young scholars read a book and explore spending, saving, opportunity cost, and trade-offs. They keep a diary of expenses to track their spending and examine their opportunity costs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sold! Ageless Water

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students read "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbitt. They create an advertisement for the spring water described in the story.
Lesson Plan
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Recognizing Propaganda-Loaded Language

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students study a print ad for an abdominal toning device after discussing what strategies are necessary for healthy weight loss and muscle tone. They practice the skill of recognizing propaganda in print advertising.
Lesson Plan
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The Eyes Have It ... Or Do They?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore facial expressions for the hidden meanings being communicated. Truth can be hidden or at least disguised by a particular expression. The reality of control and the manipulation of truth is discussed in this lesson plan.
Lesson Plan
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Gold Mountain: Real Gold or Fool's Gold

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in a meeting of one of the Six Companies that serves the needs of Chineese immigrants to California in the 1840's. Jobs are researched, profiles filed, posters designed, Chinese immigrant life examined in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
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Ideal Weight, Cultural Stereotypes, and Eating Disorders

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore the societal stigma that accompanies people who are overweight. In addition, students research current medical thinking on "ideal weight" and identify how the perception of body image can lead to eating disorders.
Lesson Plan
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Stereotypes: More Than Meets the Eye

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the concept of stereotyping. They observe images and media that portray the Middle East and its inhabitants. Students make determinations about the impact of the images on their perceptions. They consider ways to...
Lesson Plan
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Simple Steps to Healthy Living

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe a video on eating habits, discuss their own habits, and then create their own food pyramid.  In this research lesson students go to a webpage and enter their personal information then they get a food pyramid...
Lesson Plan
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The Most American Thing in America: The Chautauqua

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the Chautauqua movement. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, students use primary documents to explore what the Chautauqua was and how it made a difference in the American way of life.
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Make a Theme Song

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students listen to music and the different messages it sends and then they make a theme song for a campaign. For this theme song lesson plan, students learn about propaganda and the importance of music.
Lesson Plan
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The Great Depression

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the relief, recovery, and reform legislation to combat the Great Depression. In this New Deal instructional activity, 8th graders investigate New Deal programs as well as images from the depression era. Students...
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Solving Percents Problems

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students solve problems dealing with percents. For this algebra lesson, students convert between decimals and percents using factoring. They solve one step problems involving percents.
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Pros and Cons of Advertising

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders compare and contrast television commercials. They write paragraphs explaining how different company commercials for the same product can confuse consumers.
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Dress Reform in the 19th Century

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders utilize the writings of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Timothy Shay Arthur, Elizabeth Smith Miller, Frances Hard and others to explore the dress reform movements of the mid to late 19th century.
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Dress Reform in the 19th Century

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read and discuss the writings of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Timothy Shay Arthur and others to explore mid to late 19th century dress reform. They use their findings to write a letter to an editor from a 19th century viewpoint.