In this lesson plan, students interpret data tables from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to compare national and local unemployment data.

A lesson where young scholars learn how to read chloropleth maps containing unemployment figures, compare them to text interpretations of the unemployment situation, while also learning how to locate this information online.

Unemployment is a complex subject. This comprehensive set of lesson plans and news reports will help students understand the many economic and political forces that impact on the unemployment rate, and to critically analyze differences...

In this investigation, students are asked to explain a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) announcement about unemployment, and look for a contradiction in the message. Then they are introduced to the definitions of employment, unemployment, and...

In this activity summary review and remind yourself of the key terms and calculations used in measuring unemployment, the labor force, the unemployment rate, the labor force participation rate, and the natural rate of unemployment....

Young scholars will learn about important labor market statistics that are frequently discussed in the media. An understanding of the unemployment rate and labor force participation rate will be developed through participation in an...

One of the most important concepts in economics, particularly macroeconomics, is unemployment. Indeed, much time is devoted in both classrooms and textbooks to discussing the unemployment problem. When used together with the traditional...

This PBS lesson plan incorporates math, language arts, and economics to study the current unemployment situation in our country. Learners begin by watching a story from NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, then create a publication to showcase...

This investigation helps students clarify economic performance measures. These include: percentage changes in the Gross Domestic Product or the Consumer Price Index, how the labor force is measured, the meaning of employment and...

This lesson explores the relationship of unemployment to inflation in the 1960s and after. Students will discover the short-run trade-off between inflation and unemployment when unemployment is less than its natural rate. Students will...

In this classroom activity, "output" cards and "spending" cards are placed on a string. As each increase or decrease, the economy faces more unemployment or inflation. A good visual device to study the relationships among output,...

This lesson teaches students what economists mean when they talk about people who are employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force. It discusses the Current Population Survey and asks students to pose as government survey workers to...

Delve into the causes of the Great Depression with this lesson that simulates how unemployment in one part of the economy can cause unemployment in other parts of the economy. Extensive background on the economic causes of the Depression...

Seven-lesson collection of lessons and suggested activities for instructing early learners about the Dust Bowl using a variety of primary sources (songs, letters, photos, etc.).

Lesson in which young scholars analyze primary source photos and answer questions based on photos and informational text to learn about life during the Great Depression.

A great lesson plan based on a 2006 POV documentary that examined the problems the minimum wage worker had in trying to get ahead economically. Good information that compares the difference between a living wage and the minimum wage of...

This lesson plan helps students distinguish between earned and unearned income by identifying methods for getting money.

Use this lesson plan to have students investigate how the American economy went from boom to bust in the 1920s. Find the resources needed for the lesson as well as important discussion questions for individual and class consideration.

The stock-market crash of 1929 is generally seen as the start of The Great Depression, the worst economic downturn in the history of the United States. The Depression had devastating effects on the country. But it also served as a...

This year's federal elections will involve electing a president, all members of the House of Representatives, and one-third of the Senate. Barring some international crisis, economic issues appear likely to dominate the debates. In past...

In this lesson plan summary review and remind yourself of the key terms and graphs related to changes in the AD-AS model. Topics include AD shocks, such as changes in consumption, investment, government spending, or net exports, and...

In this lesson summary review and remind yourself of the key terms and graphs related to the effects of fiscal policy actions in the short run. Topics include how fiscal and monetary policy can be used in combination to close output...

This site is a printable lesson that compares the command economy of Soviet Russia with the market economy of present day Russia. Lesson provides tables with data comparing prices within the two systems. Discussion questions are also...

Explore the inflation rate from 2013 through this informative case study. Trace the consumer trends through the graphs and charts on the site.