In higher education the main subjects build on the knowledge acquired in high school. Research shows that students entering universities have acquired basic knowledge to different extents. It is very important to be able to apply mathematical knowledge directly. Students often treat practical knowledge separately from theoretical knowledge. They…

Describes a problem-solving model developed by economists that incorporates the use of economics into the high school social studies curriculum. Model components include defining the issue, identifying objectives, looking for ways to achieve objectives, identifying pertinent economic concepts, analyzing alternatives, and evaluating which…

Providing teacher background on the concepts of wages and profits, paying particular attention to how elementary children experience and learn these concepts, this document presents 3 teaching units. The grade K-2 unit, "A Job Well Done," provides activities which focus on different types of jobs and the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards…

In the evaluated project the core of the elementary curriculum is centered around economics, although other social science disciplines are integrated into the program which emphasizes helping students to develop problem solving abilities and analytic thinking through their involvement in learning activities. (SM)

Providing teacher background on the concepts of productivity and capital goods, this document presents 3 teaching units about these ideas for different grade levels. The grade K-2 unit, "How Do They Do It?," is designed to provide students with an understanding of how physical capital goods add to productivity. Activities include a field trip to…

This document includes an introduction to the role of government in the production of public goods and services and 3 brief teaching units. The introduction describes the nature of a mixed economy and points out why most people identify the production of goods and services with private enterprise rather than government. It develops a rationale for…

This economics simulation game complements the third grade Gold Mining Unit developed by Project Social Studies at the University of Minnesota. The simulation is designed for three purposes: 1) to reinforce the prior learning which occurs in the gold mining camp unit; 2) to involve eight-year-olds in the process of solving simulated economic…

This report provides a description of and content specifications for video and print resources designed to reinforce basic language arts, mathematics, and problem-solving skills through the integration of five economic concepts into the curriculum of the early elementary grades: (1) scarcity, (2) opportunity cost, (3) consumption, (4) production,…

This issue explains the concept of externalities (benefits or burdens which accrue to society when there is a difference between the private cost or benefit of an action and the social cost or benefit of that action). These external or social costs of individual actions are often referred to as spillover costs. Three brief teaching units follow…

This teaching guide begins with an explanation of the role of money in the economy, focusing on its circulation or exchange. The use of money as a unit of account, a store of value, and a medium of exchange are explained. Three brief teaching units are included. The grade K-2 unit, "Money Counts," provides games and activities which develop the…

This handbook is designed for adults who left school at minimum leaving age with few or no qualifications and are returning to education many years later. Its focus is on a particular course in history, politics, and economics offered to students in Liverpool, England. The handbook is intended for use as the basis for group work, not for…

Adapted to meet local needs and goals, this curriculum guide for grades 7 and 8 is designed to help develop behaviors and skills to use in solving family-life problems. The guide consists of a course outline and separate lessons for both grades, grouped according to the major topics of human development and the family, home management and consumer…

Uses the various strategies involved in baseball to illustrate basic concepts in game theory. Specifically discusses Willie Mays' base-stealing strategy and how it relates to probability and risk. Reminds students that expected results depend on adopted assumptions. (MJP)

Argues that secondary economics teachers must help students learn to apply fundamental economics concepts to real problems. Advocates the critical thinking approach. Outlines goals, objectives, content, and procedures for an inquiry lesson that teaches the concepts land, labor, and capital through a problem-solving, hypothesis-testing method.…

The primary objective of this guide is to set forth goals of learning that will contribute to student achievement of economic literacy, suggest activities, and resources. It is a skeletal structure which teachers can incorporate into a continuous social studies curriculum, and other appropriate studies. The main purpose of economic education is to…