Agriculture in the Classroom
Growing a Nation (1930-1949): From Defeat to Victory, Lesson 2
Using primary source materials including radio broadcasts, films, and interview transcripts, history students gain a better understanding of the Dust Bowl, relief efforts for farmers, and the nation's agricultural past. It includes...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Growing a Nation (1950-1969): Prosperity & Challenges: The Story of American Agriculture
A wonderful lesson on the development and impact of mechanized farming! History or agriculture classes learn the historical background of the United States' food production by creating a pamphlet with information on the cause and...
Curated OER
Problem-Based Research Lesson: Wal-Mart Debate
To prepare for class, students will read several articles (links included). Students discuss the articles, and ways to deal with the proliferation of big-box stores in rural areas. The class takes two minutes to generate a research...
Curated OER
Products of the Rain Forest
Seventh graders explore products of the rain forest. They consider items from their home that may have been products of the rain forest by checking ingredients on product labels. They share their discoveries in class and create a...
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Consumer Culture in the 1950s: New Shopping Centers and Advertising trends
Eleventh graders analyze the cultural and social aspects of the 1950s. Using primary source documents, they work together to determine what society was like. They use that information to write an essay about how their information...
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Consumerism and the Consumer Society
High schoolers read an article titled "How Much Is Enough?" by Alan Durning. They work in small groups to summarize the author's main point for each paragraph and then identify and discuss further questions they may have in response to...
Curated OER
Good Food Explorers
Students use different food items in order to practice the mathematical concept of shape recognition. At the same time the teacher explains how crops are a source of physical health. They use all five senses to describe each food item...
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Nutrition/Consumerism
Pupils explore the consumer health aspects of nutrition using food package labels.
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WHAT MAKES OUR BLUE JEANS BLUE?
Twelfth graders become aware of the environmental, social and economic issues related to the production of blue jeans. They explore the relationship between individual clothing choices as well as global issues. In addition, they...
Curated OER
Advertising – Does it Affect Our Purchasing Descisions?
Students consider the power of advertisements. In this consumerism lesson, students dicuss advertising techniques, advertising regulations, and analyze advertisements. Students also complete and evaluate and ad count actvitiy.
Curated OER
Bargain Hunter
Students engage in a classroom shopping adventure to search for the best bargains.
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The True "Cost of Cool!"
Eighth graders study hidden environmental costs in things we buy. In this consumerism lesson students watch a video about consumerism and analyze advertisements in teen magazines.
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Boomtime
Students view a short film about the rise of prosperity after World War II. They examine the role of status symbols and owning vehicles. They compare and contrast advertisements from the 1950's with those from the 1990's.
Curated OER
The Automobile’s Influence on Post-WWII Suburbia
Eighth graders explore post World War II America. In this American History activity, 8th graders analyze primary and secondary sources to research how the automobile influenced the growth of suburbs, and how the growth of suburbs...
Curated OER
The World's Columbian Exposition
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this technological advancements lesson, students research and share information regarding technologies and inventions featured at the World's...
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Forest Products
Learners study forests and understand their reliance on forest products and examine their choices between renewable and non renewable resources. In this forest products lesson students read several articles, complete a short...
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The Art of El Anasui: Creating a Mural with Discarded/Recycled Objects
Students create murals that feature recycled objects. In this West African art lesson, students examine artwork by El Anatsui and his commentary on social issues. Students then create murals in the style of El Anatsui using discarded...
Curated OER
Assessing the Labour Behind the Label
Twelfth graders examine the labor conditions in different companies and corporations. In groups, they use the internet to locate the conditions of the companies of the clothes they are wearing. They share their information with the...
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Learning to Live Responsibly Within One's Personal Resources
Middle schoolers explore survival techniques in the light of their own values and personal situations. The differences between needs and wants and how consumerism effects the environment forms the main focus of this three lessons unit.
Curated OER
Farm Animal Friends
Pupils apply basic communication and math skills to situations. They apply prior knowledge to list characteristics of different animals. They listen to music to engage multiple senses. Then images of animals are shared with them to make...
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Affluenza
Young scholars are introduced to the "disease" of affluenza. After watching a documentary, they identify the forces that have changed the nation into a consumer society. As a class, they discuss ways to avoid catching on to this...
Other
Streetlaw: Consumer and Housing Law
Read about contracts, warranties, credit, deceptive sales practices, cars, and housing--important topics for consumers. This website provides introductory material to each of the above topics and links for further information and research.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: Becoming Modern: America in the 1920s: Prosperity
Collection of six sections with primary resource material on the prosperity achieved during the 1920s explores consumerism, labor, and business. Includes notes, discussion questions and links to supplemental sources.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: The Progressives
Comprehensive teaching unit that explores the Progressive period in America and the reform movements that accompanied it. Contains video and text materials, web interactives, student oriented activities, and a timeline of key events from...