Argues that economic literacy is necessary for an informed opinion about the factors influencing our society and government. Maintains that, currently, high school students' misinformation about economic facts and their inability to perform economic analysis puts our economy at risk. Advocates increasing objective and nonpartisan economics…

Describes a classroom exercise designed to illustrate the economic aspects of common ownership, individual ownership, government regulation and to examine how these relate to conservation. The exercise involves the incremental distribution (via a turkey baster) of water between buckets marked "now" and "future." Different rules replicate different…

Describes the origins, development, and activities of the Elementary School Economics Project at the University of Chicago during the "New Social Studies" era of the 1960s. Maintains that the program was compatible with the social science and inquiry-based instructional strategies popular at that time. (CFR)

Describes an instructional activity in which fifth graders identified geographic and economic factors that caused a town to become a ghost town. Discusses instructional procedures and materials used in the activity. Includes extension activities, maps, and suggestions for adapting the activity to other geographic regions. (CFR)

Presents an inquiry lesson about social, economic, and political changes in Vietnam since 1986. Discusses the background for the lesson and asserts that students will use processes of inquiry and critical thinking to complete the assignments. Includes instructional materials and suggestions. (CFR)

Asserts that South Korea can be an excellent subject for an effective unit on history, economic development, critical thinking skills, and cross-cultural understanding. Provides background information and a list of teacher resources for planning a unit on South Korea. (CFR)

Asserts that attempting to grasp the immensity of numbers used to describe the U.S. national debt, proven oil reserves, and other social statistics is becoming more and more difficult. Describes a program in which preservice elementary teachers created activities to help develop the skill of civic numeracy. (CFR)

Provides an introduction to the Internet with special focus on access issues, electronic communication, and tools for making the Internet easier to use. Identifies selected Internet resources appropriate for social studies. Includes three lesson plan ideas and five tables listing Internet resources. (CFR)

Reviews economics teaching methods in England in light of curriculum reform there. Explains economics' cross-curricular status in England's national curriculum. Stresses students' experiential learning in simulations, interview projects, and a minienterprise approach in which students produce and market goods. Describes one elementary school's…

Interviews Wisconsin high school economics teachers, cited for their teaching excellence, to discover methods used to correct students' misconceptions about economics. Covers opportunity cost, supply and demand, money creation, and gross national product. Finds teachers were adept at using germane examples, showed more confidence teaching…

Describes activities to help students in grades 7-9 learn about American food production and distribution. Students learn about the American diet over the centuries; the production of American Corn; the meaning of the term hunger; and the need for protein. (CS)