High-stakes standardized tests in reading and limited instructional time are two powerful disincentives for teaching economics in the elementary classroom. In this article, integrating instruction in poetry and economic decision-making is presented as one way to maximize the use of scarce instructional time. Following a brief introduction to the…

This document provides teaching guidelines and student material for a unit intended for use in fifth and sixth grade social studies and economics programs. Time allotment is from four to six hours. The objectives are to help students identify the difference between wants and needs, to distinguish between items that are scarce and abundant, to…

Reports on a comparative study of two fifth-grade classes (Louisville, Kentucky) whose members learned economic principles through the establishment of a classroom grocery store. Provides a review of the literature relating to economic education and simulations, discusses the actual classroom instruction, and describes the instrument used to…

Developing financial fitness requires developing a knowledge base and then applying it. This teacher guide and student workouts package contains 15 lessons from students at grades 3-5, divided into 4 theme areas of earning and income, saving, spending and borrowing, and managing money. The development of knowledge for use in the everyday life of…

Part four in a series of elementary level economics and consumer education teaching resources, this guide is designed for use with fifth and sixth graders. The first section identifies concepts and related objectives, defines relevant terms, and lists audiovisual and print resources related to each concept. Key concepts include basic economic…

Presents a program to introduce fifth graders to everyday economic life by constructing a true-to-life simulation of an economic community. Students apply mathematics skills to managing a checking account, calculating electric bills, and managing shops using computers. (MDH)

The self-instructional program is designed to give students in grades 4-6 new insights into the concept of money. By using the programmed learning material the students become acquainted with the evolution of money through questioning techniques. Students explore the concepts of barter, token money, coins, paper money, and checks. The paper…

The document presents objectives, teaching methods, activities, and work sheets for a unit on choosing breakfast cereal. The unit is intended to be used as an integral part of the fifth grade health program. Activities take place in a classroom learning center and can be completed in approximately four to six hours of classroom time. Objectives…

This unit introduces the American tax system to elementary school students in grades 3-5. It is presented in three sections, all of which are built around the story of Tex Tax leaving the ranch and going to the city for the first time. Section one centers on taxation at federal, state, and local levels. The student learns to distinguish between…