Learners study the ancient African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. They brainstorm what they know about ancient African kingdoms before investigating the trade and barter situations, and researching one of the kingdoms for an oral...

You want five pigs, but you only have four bails of hay. How will you manage to get what you want? A great simulation begins this instructional activity with why the use of money has replaced the process of bartering. Then, after...

Students identify items made in Jamestown and draw conclusions about their economy. In this Jamestown economy lesson, students use the internet to complete a worksheet which required them to look at photographs of goods made in and...

Students examine the role of money in the colonial economy by participating in a trading activity. In this colonial economy lesson, students complete an activity to learn about colonial trade and what happens when there is a lack of...

Students summarize the historical development of money. In this economics lesson, students describe the process of bartering and explain how money facilitates trade and exchange. Students also define and describe inflation and a modern...

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...

Students investigate the role of money in the colonial economy. In this colonial economy lesson, students participate in a trading activity, read the booklet "Benjamin Franklin and the Birth of a Paper Money Economy," participate in an...

Students discuss the role of trade and a global economy. As a class, they identify the costs and benefits of trade and how it is being questioned in today's society. They discover what is imported to the United States and the role of...

Students study money and its place in the economy.  In this middle school Consumer Math lesson plan, students explore the barter system and the need for money.  Students explore how money works in society and explore modern...

Students engage in a discussion about their experiences with goods, services, and money.  In this bartering lesson plan, students read The Wampum Bird story and brainstorm their personal experiences with economics.   

While this instructional activity is connected to social studies curriculum that is not identified, the activity could be used as a template for a review of any material. The instructional activity focuses on a review of vocabulary...

Students explore trading and bartering. They participate in a Barter Day in which they bring in hand crafted or homemade wares to school to barter with classmates.

Students role play bartering for goods and services as the French settlers did in colonial Illinois. They start with eight household items to acquire through bartering. They have to calculate values for each object and determine the...

Students produce manufactured good, barter for sales, encounter government officials, make choices about emissions, trade carbon credits and share findings in order to understand how carbon trading could affect industry from an economic...

Students demonstrate understanding of what the fur trade was and how it was operated, including the bartering process, by participating in a mock trade activity and assessing the value of items based on their needs and wants.

Fifth graders describe the changes in King George III's policy toward the American colonies by sequencing key events between the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. They explain the colonial reactions to command decisions...

Who knew that fairy tales and economics go hand-in-hand? Pupils complete a host of handouts, using everything from graphic organizers to short answer questions to reinforce concepts. They also complete a project that builds on everything...

Learners explore the free enterprise system and the role that buying and selling of holiday goods have upon the economy. They recognize and demonstrate that advertising design influences one's life.

Students examine the economic effects of a strong and weak U.S. dollar. They identify the currency used in countries which regularly trade with the U.S., discuss the pros and cons of a strong U.S. dollar, and calculate the prices in...

Students complete geography and trade activities about global trade. For this geography and trade lesson, students read information to learn about absolute advantage, comparative advantage, trade factors, U.S. trade partners, and...

Students engage in a study of financial institutions that includes the banking industry. They participate in a research study using different resources. They are introduced to the concept of bartering and how it is used as a replacement...

The "mail art" phenomena was started back in the 20's with the Dada and Fluxus art movements and revitalized in the 60's. The principle of mail art, is free exchange and artistic expression. Learners study these facts and then create...

Here is a worksheet in which learners identify and compare economic systems (market, command, mixed, etc.) with 18 fill-in-the-blank questions and a graphic organizer. 

As part of a study of colonial and Native American history, class members focus on the beliefs and land use of the Pocumtucks, who settled near Deerfield, Massachusetts. Students examine their beliefs about land use and ownership, the...