The United States is a multi-trillion dollar economy that annually allocates a staggering amount of resources to produce a variety of goods and services for domestic and world consumption, and provides employment and income for millions of individuals. This lesson plan for social studies and economics teachers traces a series of interconnected…

This series of lesson plans and activities deals with the economic demise of the now-defunct Soviet Union. Each of the five lessons and six activities addresses identified standards and benchmarks from the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics. The lesson plans also address the National History Content Standards, in terms of both the…

A unit on cartoons was used in a high school economics course. Students studied the symbolism used in cartooning, the background factors that form a basis for the cartoon, techniques and approaches used by various artists, and the validity and significance of messages offered by cartoonists. (AM)

Successful classroom discussions in economics courses require careful planning. Planning involves five steps: defining course goals, choosing materials, preparing questions to guide the discussion, planning the mechanics of the discussion, and defining the responsibilities and evaluating the performance of discussion leaders. Includes follow-up…

Describes a problem solving teaching approach that can be used in dealing with real problems in the home economics classroom. (FL)

Presents background material to help British high school students study the economics of the fishing industry. Students apply their knowledge of cost and revenue theory to a case study of a European Economic Community fisheries dispute which raises questions about government intervention in international resource allocation issues. (AM)

Suggests that consumer education must equip students with an understanding of the way in which economic forces work, as well as the processes and institutions through which these forces operate. An interdisciplinary approach is also necessary since many subjects encompass consumer education. (Author/KC)

Presents a simulation game on labor negotiations for secondary students. (SJL)

Explains how teachers of economics on the college level can use concepts such as the Retail Price Index to illustrate key features of economics. Practical exercises and sample questions are included. (Author/DB)

Describes simulation in a managerial economics course in which students were placed in the position of the top management team of a business firm and were required to make decisions in a number of functional areas: production, scheduling, pricing, budgeting, and government relations. (Author/KC)

Division of labor takes on real meaning when children pitch in and help. (Editor)

Points out that, although the analysis of the imposition of an excise tax is widely used in economics courses, the consequences of a change in the tax rate are different and ignored. This article presents an effective way to teach about such a change. (GG)

Suggests that students create "mind maps" and wall charts to help them make and review economic connections. Recommends starting with a picture or question in the center, printing, using color, redrafting, and keeping the chart simple. Includes samples of charts produced by students. (DK)

Presents a review exercise requiring students to sort diagrams and descriptions of price elasticity of demand. Reports that students are given jumbled diagrams and explanations that they must arrange in proper form. Reveals that some items are designed as distractors. (SG)

Presents a teaching model that is consistent with the traditional approach to demonstrating the expansion and contraction of the money supply. Suggests that the model provides a simple and convenient visual image of changes in the monetary system. Describes the model as juxtaposing the behavior of the moneyholding public with that of the…