The Economic Balance model can be used in secondary economics classes to show demand- and supply-sides of the overall economy as well as how the two sides influence each other. Demand-side approaches to recession and inflation and supply-side approaches to expansion of production capacity and inflation are discussed. (AM)

People should understand what the commodity futures market is and who uses it. The commodity futures market should be studied in a high school economics course so a one-week unit was developed for students that involved them in a simulation as hedgers and speculators. (AM)

Economists and historians have struggled for almost 80 years to account for the American Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted until the early years of World War II. In this article, the authors discuss three major schools of thought on the causes of the Great Depression and the long failure of the American economy to return to full…

Presented is an economic classroom model in which elementary children learn important social studies concepts by observing or helping with classroom routines. Twenty percent of the school day necessarily spent on routines can be saved using this model. (RM)

Jean Piaget's cognitive theory was used to investigate the economic reasoning of children and adolescents. Findings indicate student reasoning becomes more abstract, other directed, and flexible with increasing age; five concepts are prerequisites to understanding other economic concepts; and the rate at which economic reasoning develops varies by…

Some of the varied resources in the general area of economics and in the special area of economics and the environment are listed. Most contain extensive bibliographies. Some materials are free or available for a nominal charge. (KM)

Junior high students learned about the economic problems their parents face in today's inflationary world by participating in a simulation mortgage. They experienced the difficulties of buying a home that would meet the needs of family members within a given time. (AM)

Recounts how energy and economics mingle at many levels and offers social studies lessons which teach students about economic concepts through examination of the energy crisis. Concepts stressed are scarcity, economic growth, supply and demand, and opportunity cost. Lessons are intended for secondary school students. (DB)

State social studies supervisors and State Economic Education Council representatives in twenty-three states were interviewed to determine the state of economic education in United States public schools. Findings indicate professional growth, content emphasis, and classroom practices. (AM)

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)

Presents a lesson designed for secondary economics classes. Students role play adults in selected occupations, create personal budgets, and make investment and savings decisions. Student directions and questions are included. (CFR)

Secondary social studies students analyze and discuss a case study dealing with free trade in this lesson requiring one class period. (RM)

A field trip to a local living museum, Old Sturbridge Village, was used to infuse basic economics concepts and understandings into a high economics school unit. The selection of economics concepts, warm-up activities, the field trip, and evaluation of student learnings are discussed. (AM)

Teachers and students of economics and literature can learn about economics by studying concepts and topics in great literature and drama. Themes in literature deal with economic forces. A table of these themes is included. (AM)

Describes a lesson plan which was used successfully to teach the basics of investment to students in a fifth-grade social studies class on economics education. Projects included in the unit included selling stock, pre-sales preparation, selling, profits, and investment. (DB)