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…

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)

This publication is intended as a guide for teaching high school and adult education students about social insurance concepts. Goals of the project are that students: (1) understand the historical context from which social insurance programs emerged; (2) can participate fully as members of a democratic society in making informed decisions about…

Although there is a strong case for teaching economics at the middle school level, there are practical hurdles to making that goal a reality. Academic economists, who are well trained in economic theory and its applications, are not trained, generally, in the theory and application of effective curriculum development and teaching methods for the…

This secondary level unit, designed for use in a social studies or introductory economics course, has students participate in decision-making activities about global auto production. Although Japan-United States interaction is emphasized, the concepts, terms and activities employed in the unit apply to other countries as well. The unit includes 11…

The purpose of this unit is to increase student comprehension of the economic forces at work in regions, states, nations, and the world. Although the unit is intended for North Carolina teachers, it is appropriate for all economic programs. The unit encourages students to examine how geography, available resources, capital investment, and economic…

Selected resources for teaching secondary students about economics and political science from the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) database are described in this annotated listing. (RM)

One of a series of high school level units on business issues, this packet introduces students to a new type of business advertising, "issue ads." This non-product advertising allows a corporation or business organization to express its viewpoint directly to the public. Because this is a complex issue, the unit is recommended for…

Illustrates a fifth grade teaching unit on international economics. Gives suggestions for use at the lower elementary and primary grades and points out that incorporation of economics into the elementary education curriculum can produce economically literate citizens in a cost-effective way. (GG)

This unit is designed to investigate the reasons for international trade and the issue of trade protectionism by focusing on the case study of the U.S. trade relationship with Taiwan. The unit begins with a simulation that highlights the concepts of global interdependence, the need for international trade, and the distribution of the world's…

A 3-month study unit introducing first grade students to economics through an Easter theme is outlined in five sections. Sections 1 and 2 describe rationale, goals, and learning objectives. Section 3 provides learning activities. A wide range of instructional strategies is used to teach the basic economic concepts of want, need, scarcity,…

Economic literacy is important because economics is such an integral part of daily existence. Individuals who understand basic economic concepts will be better equipped to make the important decisions that effective citizenship requires. The 15 economics lessons in this booklet are designed for elementary and middle school students. Each lesson…

Intended for use with students in grades 9-12, this collection of materials dealing with economics in Japan is based on and prepared from experiences and information gathered by a U.S.-Japan study trip. Materials focus on: (1) underlying values important to contemporary Japanese society, (2) Japan's rise from an "occupied country"…

Consumer decision-making and its consequences for individual consumers and societal groups are examined in this economic unit for secondary school students. Seven lessons focus on developing an understanding of the concepts of scarcity, supply and demand, resources, choice, price, and interdependence and on fostering an economic way of thinking.…

One of a series of units designed to acquaint secondary students with business issues, this packet examines the franchise as a type of business organization. Teacher and student materials are provided in separate sections. The teacher's guide provides an overview, objectives, four detailed lesson plans, answer keys, background information, and…