Discusses how a better understanding of economics can lead to increased understanding of moral decisions. Addresses what values are not inherent in economics and the positive values inherent in economics. Considers how economics can be used as a tool for character education. (CMK)

This booklet was developed from a 1996 grant program for international education exchange. U.S. curriculum writers worked with writers in partner countries to design training and create a handbook for curriculum development. The "Train the Writers" program was piloted with 14 educators from 7 countries, and this publication,…

According to the document, Dr. Andrew Brimmer did an excellent job of identifying emerging economic concerns. Dr. Brimmer's characterization of economics as a tool kit can help young people examine important social questions using principles of economics as the tool for analysis. One way to build an economics tool kit is by placing more stress on…

Summarizes research on how children think about economic ideas and values and the development of such thinking. Explores the influence of instruction on children's thinking about economics and points out implications for curriculum and instruction. (RH)

This book uses human interest stories to explain perplexing behavior from an economic perspective throughout U.S. history. The set of 15 lessons include: (1) "Indentured Servitude: Why Sell Yourself into Bondage?"; (2) "Do the Right Thing: Free the Slaves, Avoid the War"; (3) "Why Would You Raise Chickens When You Don't Like Eggs? -or- Why Did…

Argues that economic education is an integral component of social studies and citizenship education. Maintains that adolescents are more likely to believe that one's life is controlled by fate rather than conscious choices. Asserts that teaching economic reasoning can improve students' critical thinking skills and citizenship education. (CFR)

Explores the changes in the U.S. economy explaining that it became an engine of growth for the entire world economy. Describes the transformation in economic thought during the 20th century and relates these changes to issues of interest to social studies educators. Concludes with a discussion on 21st century thought. (CMK)

Reviews the recent research on teaching and learning economics in the elementary classroom, such as whether children understand the economic world and correcting students' economic misconceptions. Maintains that students in elementary school are capable of learning and remembering economic concepts if they are taught in developmentally appropriate…

This packet of lessons focuses on the transition from a legacy of central planning to a market orientation in the economic systems of Central and Eastern Europe, the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, and China. These lessons seek to provide high school teachers with a well-informed approach to teaching about this transition. The…

Reports a study designed to encourage classroom teachers to use research-based criteria in evaluating curriculum materials for middle school economics. Criteria used for material selection stressed (1) product characteristics, (2) economic content, (3) middle school student focus, and (4) pedagogy. Found that materials were not particularly suited…

Asserts that instructional methods used to teach U.S. history often result in a reliance on routine transmission of information. Argues that the benefits that would derive from adding economics instruction to history are seldom achieved. (CFR)

Asserts that teachers and students are ready to go beyond traditional coverage of the interactions of political science and history to applying economic analysis to historical and contemporary social issues. Provides three lesson plans illustrating the use of public choice theory in U.S. history. (CFR)

The development of economic reasoning in young children is examined from the theoretical perspective of Piaget's work on cognitive development. To determine a possible correlation between grade level and the type of reasoning children use to approach economic problems, 70 urban children, preschool through grade 3, answered questions which measured…

This resource book is intended for a one-semester model course for high school economics for eleventh- and twelfth-grade students. The seven units in the book are linked to content ordinarily found in microeconomic and macroeconomic courses. Each unit contains 5 to 11 lessons, an author's note to the teacher, an author's letter to the students,…

This student activities book is intended for a model one-semester course for high school economics for eleventh- and twelfth-grade students. The seven units in the book are linked to content ordinarily found in microeconomic and macroeconomic courses. Each unit contains 5 to 11 lessons, an author's note to the students and classroom instructional…