A voluntary extracurricular research seminar on free enterprise for grades 7-9 is described. To acquaint students with the free enterprise system and its relation to society, lectures and discussions examine components of an equation. The components are: man's material welfare = natural resources + human effort x tools of production (MMW = NR + HE…

Intended for use with college students in introductory macroeconomics or American economic history courses, these two computer simulations of two basic macroeconomic models--a simple Keynesian-type model and a quantity-theory-of-money model--present largely incompatible explanations of the Great Depression. Written in Basic, the simulations are…

This series of 20 self-contained lessons in the study of economics, features activities that can be used with any high school economics instruction. The lessons included are: (1) Opportunity Costs; (2) Factors of Production; (3) Economic Systems; (4) Self Interest; (5) Class Struggle; (6) Economic Institutions; (7) Supply and Demand; (8) Markets…

One of the most important, yet difficult concepts to teach in an undergraduate course in intermediate microeconomics is the all-embracing concept of elasticity of demand. This paper details a four part teaching approach developed to make this most important aspect of microeconomic theory more understandable. Part 1 develops the approach for…

Materials used to teach economics to junior high school students must be concrete, people-oriented, and activity-oriented; the curricula must cause students to manipulate information and link new knowledge to old. A textbook--"Our Economy: How It Works"-- that fits these criteria is described and two sample economics lessons are provided. (RM)

Describes features of a macroeconomics model that runs on a microcomputer and its solution, sometimes called a simulation. Specific uses of the model in the teaching of introductory and intermediate/advanced levels of macroeconomics are discussed, as well as use by economic planners in running alternative forecasts. (MBR)

Discussion is generated on the rationale for the National Health Service in Great Britain and the broad issues of social welfare and income inequality. (Author/RM)

Suggests that instructors teach the U.S. Catholic bishops' pastoral on economics by confronting today's moral confusion directly to promote values clarification. Reviews the historical causes of today's value conflicts, discusses the bishops' suggestions for resolving them, and offers assignments to help students clarify their own values. (DMM)

More teaching of economics within the social studies is vital. The California History Social Science Framework contains 13 basic concept capsules which can be used as the basis for an economics program. Suggests an integrated approach and describes a K-12 sequence to teach students economic concepts. (CS)

Ways in which the home economics teacher may use research are noted, and the basic components of research are described and summarized in a checklist for use as a guide in evaluating research. Components covered include the problem, the sample, data collection techniques, data analysis methods, and interpretation of findings. (JT)

This lesson plan gives students a hands-on understanding of a price index, how it is composed, what it is used for, and some of its limitations. Students then can make the connection to some of the popular price indices such as the Consumer Price Index and the Producer Price Index. The lesson states a purpose; cites learning objectives; suggests…

This lesson plan features a classroom simulation that helps students understand the characteristics of a market economic system. The lesson plan states a purpose; cites student objectives; suggests a time duration; lists materials needed; and details a step-by-step teaching procedure. The "Paper Airplane Challenge" handout is attached. (BT)

This teacher resource manual and student activities economics education unit provides students with the opportunity to use economic content and related skills as they learn about the U.S. economic system and its relationship to the world economy. The lessons link to economic content and other subject areas traditionally taught in grades 5, 6, and…

This book highlights and examines basic economic concepts as they relate to consumer, business, social, and personal choices. Students are shown connections between their classroom learning and their real-world experiences in budgeting, career planning, credit management, and housing. The set of 15 lessons include: (1) "Decision Making: Scarcity,…

This book provides a tool for educators, specifying what K-12 grade students should learn about basic economics as they go through school. The standards are written for teachers and classroom use, offering benchmarks, guides, teaching suggestions, and teaching strategies. The essential principles of economics are identified in the 20 content…