Curated OER
The Flower and the Fly
It's like a biological "Beauty and the Beast!" The fascinating mutualism between a South African meganosed fly and a deep-throated geranium builds a case study in coevolution for your biology buffs to analyze. After reading about this...
College Board
2016 AP® Macroeconomics Free-Response Questions
The debate of cupcake versus donuts may seem like a superficial one. However, learners consider whether it makes sense to specialize in producing only one confectionery in a scaffolded problem involving complicated economic concepts....
Council for Economic Education
The Columbian Exchange
What did you have for dinner last night? Many scholars ask that question without considering the history behind the foods they eat. Using a simulation, scholars investigate how the foods they eat are the product of the Columbian...
Council for Economic Education
Entrepreneurs in Mesopotamia
While ancient Mesopotamia didn't have the TV show "Shark Tank," it was a time of entrepreneurship as workers began to specialize. Both individual workers and the societal structure encouraged individuals to consider how they could...
Council for Economic Education
Great Civilizations Develop around Rivers
If you lived in prehistoric times, what kinds of choices could your family make to increase their chance of survival? By making similar decisions in a simulation game, participants discover how specialization creates both opportunity and...
Council for Economic Education
Green Eggs and ...Economics?
Scholars use four different children's books by Dr. Seuss to analyze microeconomic concepts. Group presentations and research help them better understand simple economic concepts through simple stories.
Council for Economic Education
Specialization and the Decathlon
Michael Phelps, the economist? Scholars research the economic advantages of specializing in one kind of service, and how it relates to athletes doing the same in their respective sports. They evaluate absolute advantage, production, and...
Curated OER
Investigating Our Past: Where Did Humans Come From?
Investigate the theories of human evolution. In this research based lesson, learners research and discuss how geographic isolation, interbreeding, generalization, and specialization are factors in the history of humans. Groups work...
Curated OER
Charles Darwin's Hardware Shop
Using an assortment of hardware, junior biologists explore the theory of evolution. They consider how simple pieces of hardware might be changed into similar items and display their discoveries on a poster. The lesson would be...
Curated OER
Introduction to Fair Trade
Students investigate fair trade practices. In this economics lesson, students conduct collaborative research on fair trade practices, the controversies of trade, and the effects of fair trade practices. Students present their findings to...
Curated OER
Cell Processes and Energy - Reading/Notetaking Guide - Cell Differentiation
Written as a textbook section reading guide, this worksheet presents an empty outline on cell differentiation for biology learners to complete. There are also a few questions to answer about how cells specialize and become organized,...
Curated OER
A Cell-a-bration
Students identify the different types of animal and plant cells. In this cell lesson students label the different cells and their functions.
Curated OER
Investigating Our Past: Where Did Humans Come From?
Students brainstorm about evolution and explore the processes of evolution. In this investigative lesson students map out evolution and compare the two theories after researching them.
Curated OER
57 Varieties of Interdependence
Students examine the life of Henry J. Heinz and how he began his career in food service. For this economic history lesson plan,students study how Henry J. Heinz started his business. Students will create and answer key questions that...
Curated OER
Charles Darwin's Hardware Shop
Students construct an evolutionary tree representing specialization, diversity, and selection using easily obtained materials. They use at least twenty pieces of hardware to classify then develop "evolutionary" relationships between the...
Other
World Trade Organization: Understanding the Wto
Explains the purpose and functions of the World Trade Organization. Written in textbook format, it includes seven chapters, which can be downloaded.
![Complex Dynamics in a Model of Economic Specialization [Pdf] Activity](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Complex Dynamics in a Model of Economic Specialization [Pdf] Activity")
University of Washington
Complex Dynamics in a Model of Economic Specialization [Pdf]
This article provides an in-depth study of how and why there is specialization by workers in an economy, with considerable attention given to the philosophies of Adam Smith.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Office Organization
Provides a look at how companies are organized. Examples include medical and manufacturing industries and small to large size businesses.
Mex Connect
Mexconnect: The Ancient Maya: A Commercial Empire
This article discusses the implications of trade and commerce during the Mayan Period. The principles of resource allocation and specialization are discussed. (Published January 1, 2006)
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: I Can Dream Anything!
Go to this site for fun activities and a great lesson plan on personal choices and specialization. This lesson plan provides the primary teacher with an excellent opportunity to incorporate a character education lesson plan on...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Old Business, New Business
In this lesson students are introduced to several businesses from the past. They see that, while the names for these businesses are different, many of the elements of that job are seen in occupations today. The web site, "Business Cards"...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: International Trade Creates More and Better Jobs
This lesson explores the relationship between productivity and international trade. Specifically, this lessons shows why there should be fewer trade restrictions rather than more.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Dog Gone Job!
Dog Gone Job! demonstrates how job specialization increases productivity.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Booker T. Washington:"fifty Cents and a Dream"
Young Booker T. Washington had a dream. That dream was to use the resources at his disposal to earn the money necessary to get an education that would allow him and others to become financially secure. This lesson based on the picture...