Why can't we have everything we want? Youngsters are introduced to the concept of scarcity through a game of musical chairs and by discussing what it takes to satisfy our wants.

There is no better way to learn about a subject than with a hands on project. Middle schoolers design and create a product that meets the needs of fictitious clients. They view a PowerPoint, consider how the Western marketing style is...

Students study the concept of scarcity and that it requires people to make choices when trying to satisfy their unlimited wants. Groups are given bags of items and must distribute the items in the bag in a way that is acceptable to...

Do you really need that new laptop/phone/dress/jacket/etc.? Financial decisions require us to distinguish between our wants and our needs. Through discussion and the evaluation of scenarios on provided worksheets, this resource...

Introduce young mathematicians to concepts of financial literacy with this open-ended word problem. With seven dollars to spend during field day and given a list of available items and their prices, children must determine how they want...

Students study water conservation. In this water conservation lesson, students investigate the scarcity of water and determine reasons for conserving water.  Students estimate how much water they use in one day and identify ways to...

First graders gain an understanding of the scarcity of resources and how it affects the choices that we make in our everyday lives. Students will participate in a variety of activities such as literature analysis, shopping, journal...

Students study the basic economic trilogy (scarcity, choice, and costs). In this money management lesson, students use a scenario of a High School Prom to calculate how scarcity, choice and cost apply by completing provided worksheets...

Young scholars synthesize the concepts of scarcity, supply, and demand, pertaining to the Civil War time period. In this economics instructional activity, students gain understanding of economic terms through read-alouds, Venn diagrams,...

Students identify and interpret Spanish heritage, including the Mediterranean culture, language, history, trade, and migration. Following, they began an in-depth study of Egypt, the Middle East, Greece, and Rome and were able to make...

Third graders use a computer software entitled, Inspiration, in order to create a map or web of what Lewis and Clark should have packed for their journey west. They are given the expectations of the teacher and a scoring guide is...

Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this 1973 oil crisis lesson, students research details regarding President Carter's policies regarding the oil crisis that produced a scarcity...

Students read the book, The Mitten and make a list of animals that moved into the mitten. In this literature lesson, students discuss why we like to have nice, warm places to live, and what happens when there isn't enough space for...

Students discuss the definition of scarcity and tradeoffs, and the differences between choice and cost. They create budgets and must provide tradeoffs for some of their choices.

After reading the book A Bargain for Frances, young economists discuss how money is exchanged for goods or services. They demonstrate effective financial decision-making by listing ways to save money for a product they would like to buy.

High schoolers consider decisions about how to use resources that are in short supply. Students role-play different perspectives in a land-use simulation, and examine land use issues around the world. This interesting lesson sheds light...

Twelfth graders access how scarcity requires individuals and institutions to make choices about how to use available resources. They explore the characteristics of different economic systems and institutions. Student are able to describe...

Students 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.

Students examine five major events in Soviet History to introduce the concept of opportunity cost. They identify considered alternatives at the time of decision and examine benefits and cost. They apply these ideas to a typical school day.

High schoolers participate in a role play as producers of two goods, allowing students to experience scarcity. They make choices about using their scarce resource to produce both or one of two goods. Then they construct...

Students examine how war can lead to environmental health crises. They read an article, conduct research on a region from the article, and create a poster to depict the geographic region and the environmental health effects of the conflict.

Students use newspapers to brainstorm a list of the producers of goods and services in their community. In groups, they organize coupons based on the good or service and create a chart to organize the information. They discuss the...

Students research and examine the lives and culture of western mountain guides during the early to mid 1800s. Students write reports about a guide they research, do a simulation of the guide by keeping a journal, managing money and...

Students participate in activities that teach them how to manage money. In this managing money lesson plan, students set long and short term goals for economic success by having discussions, identifying benefits of saving, and...