Discusses a strategy for teaching students about how the Social Security Trust Fund works. Explains that a flow chart is presented to the students; four terms are defined (deficit, surplus, debt, and reserve); and a new graph is prepared to show the paths of these four variables. (CMK)

Discusses differences between young peoples' perspectives of the social world and those offered by social science. Summarizes the economic thinking of young people and argues that economics presents students with an important perspective for social analysis. Provides three "economic mysteries" that introduce economic principles into the classroom.…

Summarizes research done in the 1950s, early 1960s, and mid-1970s about how children and adolescents think about economic related ideas. Economic reasoning develops in a stage-like manner similar to Piagetian stages of cognitive development, becoming more abstract, other-directed, and flexible with increasing age. (RM)

Presents study results of how children reason about international trade. Explains that open ended questions were posed to students in grades 1-11 asking why nations trade, the benefits of trade, and their understanding of barriers to trade. Concludes that teaching fundamentals of international trade can be introduced as early as grade six. (DK)

The conceptual introduction to this issue focuses on two questions: why study competition and what is a competitive market. Four instructional units follow, beginning with "Choosing Competitors." This preschool and kindergarten unit involves students in competitive games (naming colors), role playing competitive behaviors, comparing…

Study showed that elementary teachers were moderate in their views toward economic issues. Secondary social studies teachers were more liberal than elementary teachers in their economic views; for example, they favored greater government intervention in the economy. The preservice elementary teachers were as or more liberal than the secondary…

Presents results of a study to determine the effectiveness of the Stock Market Game in contributing to students' learning about financial markets. Suggests that the biggest advantage of the game it its ability to motivate students. Includes the test that was used by the study to determine how much the students had learned. (DK)

Recent national survey results underscore the importance of economic and financial education: It appears that many Americans are making poor financial choices in such basic areas as saving for long-term goals and managing personal credit. Social studies teachers need to reexamine the contribution that the social studies curriculum can make in…

This article describes the Youth Enterprise Academy (YEA), a program developed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Economic Education through the partnership for a private foundation, the state government, a private not-for-profit organization, and the local public schools. The YEA is designed to improve the financial and economic…

The document provides an annotated list of 130 games and simulations for elementary and secondary economics courses, outlines procedures for using games, and reviews research studies on social science games and simulations. It is presented in five chapters. Chapter I lists selection criteria: the simulation/game must use the role playing features…

This lesson guide is designed to help U.S. history teachers and students in grades 8-11 examine historic events through basic economic reasoning. It lends itself to instruction grounded in inquiry learning, direct instruction, and cooperative learning. It calls for students to be engaged in case studies, simulation exercises, and group work, as…

This lesson guide is designed to help U.S. history teachers and students in grades 8-11 examine historic events through basic economic reasoning. It lends itself to instruction grounded in inquiry learning, direct instruction, and cooperative learning. It calls for students to be engaged in case studies, simulation exercises, and group work, as…

Defines public choice theory as the application of economic analysis to the study of government, focusing on individual behavior. Contends that the teaching of public choice theory helps students to think critically and analyze political problems. Suggests how to introduce the theory in the classroom and provides three case study handouts. (GG)

The "Focus" series, part of the National Council on Economic Education's (NCEE) EconomicsAmerica program, uses economics to enhance learning in subjects such as history, geography, civics, and personal finance, as well as economics. Activities are interactive, reflecting the belief that students learn best through active, highly personalized…

Describes two books of curriculum materials published by the National Council on Economic Education regarding the Central and East European transition economies: (1) "Economies in Transition: Command to Market" (1997); and (2) "From Plan to Market: Teaching Ideas for Social Studies, Economics, and Business Classes" (1997). (DSK)