After locating Latin American countries on a world map, children read about how microbanks are loaning money to help start small businesses. Involving both current events and economics, the teacher introduces the article with a map...

Middle schoolers aren't too young to feel strongly about politics, social issues, consumer rights, or environmental problems. Demonstrate the first steps toward social change with a project about action-oriented writing. Eighth...

Learners explore the importance of agribusiness in the US economy. They play one game where they sort and discuss the importance of agricultural commodities. They also play the game Pit to better understand how agricultural products are...

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...

After viewing clips from a documentary on factory work in China and US outsourcing, learners have a fishbowl discussion. They work in groups to build both personal points of view and strong arguments on the effects of outsourcing in...

Farmers just farm, right? Find out how important agricultural products are to our modern society. Learners will explore the foods, textiles, and fuels made from industrial farm goods. They'll also explore the idea of choosing an...

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...

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...

When gasoline is in high demand and on short supply, OPEC can raise the price to turn a significant profit. Help learners understand the economics behind demand, profit motive, and monopolies with a lesson that focuses on OPEC and...

From Mr. Merdle to Mr. Madoff? A viewing of the PBS adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Little Dorrit” launches an examination of greedy characters in literature and a study of greed, unfairness, and economic hardship today. The richly...

Young scholars investigate the effect of terrorism on the Indian economy. They conduct research on terrorist activity in India, create a timeline, and participate in a summit between Indian and Pakistan.

Students examine the significance and effects of outsourcing jobs to India and Malaysia. They conduct Internet research, create a map and a timeline, write an editorial of their view on the use of outsourcing, and participate in a class...

Investigate the current financial market and have your class explore savings, borrowing, financial markets, mutual funds, and the stock market. This four-part lesson is designed to help students become knowledgeable and informed consumers.

Examine the role of the Securities Exchange Commission. Upper graders watch a short Bill Moyers video, analyze a political cartoon, complete a graphic organizer on the SEC, and develop SEC reform strategies to rebuild investor confidence.

An excellent resource gets kids looking at agricultural production to better understand the careers needed in distributing foods from the farm to the consumer. Book, poster, web, and video links are included for teacher use. There is...

After reading the book Jack of All Tails, learners complete vocabulary activities, play charades, consider a list of questions, and complete a list of verbs. There are also several suggestions for how to connect this language...

Students understand the importance of saving seeds. In this saving seeds lesson, students dry out seeds for later use planting. Students recognize that one plant may have many seeds.

A 14-lesson, 169-page unit on the economic history of Texas. Lessons cover the free enterprise system, the economic patterns and motivations of Native Americans and various immigrant groups, the impact of the closing of the frontier, the...

A 10-lesson, 83-page unit targeting Grades 4 and 7. Lessons cover various eras in the history of Texas, including boom and bust towns; the eras dominated by cattle, fences along the frontier, cotton, and oil; the Dust Bowl and the Great...

James Madison University has developed a variety of online economic lessons for high school students. Explore basic economic and financial concepts.

Lesson focuses on how and why money circulated within our community. Being able to discern the difference between things we need and things we want is one of the foundational concepts for using money wisely. Goods and services are things...

This site contains a unit on budgeting money for use by middle school teachers. Includes enrichment problems, a bibliography, and many example problems and situations.

This site from Score provides information on the global marketplace. This is a unit where students are grouped to find out the best Latin American country to introduce a new fast food business. Site is very well outlined and includes...

Delve into the causes of the Great Depression with this instructional activity that simulates how unemployment in one part of the economy can cause unemployment in other parts of the economy. Extensive background on the economic causes...