Useful for history or economics classes, this presentation details the characteristics of mercantilism and its evolution into modern-day capitalism. The slides detail Adam's Smith criticism of mercantilism and how, rather than an...

Learners work through ten transactions that will help them understand credits and debts on a global scale. They then discuss each transaction in terms of the global economy. An extension activity and discussion questions are included.

Learners get extra practice graphing complicated economic concepts using authentic College Board materials. Problem sets include examinations of consumer versus capital goods, and the effects of various financial policies on an economy...

Here is an interesting topic. Learners examine the economics that led to the founding of the First Bank of America. They participate in a reader's theater experience depicting the debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson...

Many historical innovations were created for the common good. Get your students ready for life as a critical thinker with this lesson which defines the differences between innovation and invention. They will conduct Internet research,...

Learners brainstorm a list of the benefits that Americans at all levels of society have enjoyed as a result of innovations in rail transportation/computers/microprocessors. They write a response from President Jackson to Martin Van Buren...

Students examine the concept of scarcity. In this economics instructional activity, students define scarcity and take part in an activity that illustrates the concept as it relates to goods and services.

Students define productive, capital, human and natural resources and intermediate goods, then classify these things by how they are used in a production process. In this resources/goods lesson plan, students listen to the story The Goat...

You can't always get what you want, but you might just be able to teach your class about wants and choices. This plan leads pupils through a discussion and closes with a worksheet and assessment.

Engage your youngsters in basic economics by connecting the terms to dessert and pizza! After a discussion about intermediate goods and natural resources, learners read and connect a pizzeria to economic terms.

Students discuss capital resources and the types of machines their families use at home. They discuss how these machines increase productivity, and how these concepts connect to the law of demand and capital invention.

Students explain the basic functions of the various economic systems. As a class, they identify the main characteristics of capitalism and the advantages of division of labor and specialization. They describe the relationship between...

Pupils discover the basic economic problem: scarcity; examine how "there is no such thing as a free lunch" (opportunity costs); and define economics. They act out a play demonstrating basic economic principles.

Second graders participate in a bartering activity. They discuss the problems of bartering. Students read the book "A New Coat for Anna," by Harriet Ziefert. Students discuss the bartering Anna's mother did. They record the trades made...

In this business learning exercise, students write out a research study looking at the potential for a new business or the profits of an existing one.

Learners review economic goals and evaluate progress in achieving those goals. They focus on equity, efficiency, economic freedom and growth. They provide and example of a production decision for the economy as a whole.

In order to better understand the US economy, learners read and interpret stock market price reports. They define profits and explain the role of profits in the American economic system for both firms and individual investors. Several...

If your class understands goods and services then they'll be ready for this lesson on various resources. After reading a series of books and engaging in class lecture and discussion, pupils will fill out worksheets. They will list...

Teach your class some fairly complex terms—factors of production, human resources, capital resources, natural resources, and intermediate goods—with a storybook (Messy Bessey's Holidays), plenty of visuals and handouts, and related...

Learners analyze descriptions from five different countries to determine which institutional components of capitalism are present and, if so, to what extent. They then place each on a continuum depending upon the number and strength of...

Students study world events and their effect on economic growth. They research and interpret graphs to determine explanations for economic growth. Students compare the World Wars and the Great Depression to the growth of Argentina and...

Students identify productive resources. For this economics instructional activity, students read the book Charlie Needs a Cloak and discuss productive resources the character used in the book. Students participate in a simulated factory...

Learners review the various types of economic systems. As a class, they identify the three basic economic questions: what?, How?, and For Whom?. Using capitalism as an economic system, they discuss how each question is answered.

Students complete activities with the book My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. In this literature lesson, students read the book and discuss the concept of human capital. They complete a KWLH chart and two assessments.