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Lesson: Urban China: Contemporary China
The urbanization and consumerism of modern China is the hot topic up for critical analysis. Kids view a series of photographs that specifically describe Chinese modernization, urbanization, consumerism, and waste. They discuss each...
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Consumerism: No Purchase Necessary
Learners read a script that helps them understand the ins and outs of consumerism. They watch a video (not included), and engage in two additional activities. The lesson engages critical thinking skills and brings awareness to the...
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Evaluating Information on Food Labels
What kinds of foods include corn? Corn syrup? Start by viewing a clip of Food Inc. with your middle or high schoolers. Then, study a list of corn-derived ingredients, encouraging your class to see how many food products contain corn. A...
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That's the Spirit
Is, as Walt Whitman contends, America’s “almost maniacal appetite for wealth,” the heart of the American dream? Class members grapple with this question as they read David Brooks’ article “The Commercial Republic,” and quotes that...
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Lesson: Unmonumental: Fragmentation, Fragility, and Consumer Culture
Looking at art is the first step to analyzing it. And, if you can analyze art, you can analyze anything. Kids examine several pop art pieces that represent consumerism in modern culture. They discuss multiple facets of each piece and...
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Deep Impact
How can acknowledging opposing viewpoints reinforce one's argument? Use this New York Times lesson to study consumerism and the environmental impact of new products. After reading the article "Whether a Hummer or a Hybrid, the Big...
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Is TV Stronger Than Ever, or Becoming Obsolete?
The New York Times offers of two articles and two summaries for learners to consider. They read each article and then post a blog response to each of the seven related questions. The topic of the articles asks the question; Is TV...
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The Economics of Information
Create an expert guide to local businesses in this lesson. Through research, young readers consider their local businesses and the services they provide, paying attention to any conflicting information they might find. Working in groups,...
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Big Branding on Campus: Reading Informational Text
This New York Times "Learning Network" activity poses 11 questions on an article and video about commercial branding and marketing on college campuses. The related article, "On the Market: Thinking Critically About Advertising", is...
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The Persuaders
Have your upper graders watch the documentary, "The Persuaders" as they explore how advertisers try to gain potential customers. The video is followed by a discussion and close examination of new marketing trends and strategies.
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Fit to Be Tied (In)
How do the films we watch affect our purchasing behavior? Considering the profiles of given consumer demographics, the class analyzes real advertisements and the effectiveness of their power on consumerism. THey create posters that...
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Worksheet 7: Print Advertising
Use this versatile, cross-curricular graphic organizer to demonstrate the power of words in advertising. Scholars analyze print advertisements, identifying parts of the ad that stand out. This could include color, celebrity endorsement,...
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The 1950s:
Teens will get a kick out of this presentation, which provides a glimpse of the consumerism and rising pop culture of 1950's America. They will especially appreciate the discussion of "Teen culture" including the music of Elvis, the...
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Buy Nothing Day
Students discover Buy Nothing Day. In this consumer awareness instructional activity, students discuss their spending habits and consider the effects of mass consumerism. Students discuss alternative activities to shopping on Buy Nothing...
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Critical Consumerism
What are ads really selling? High schoolers examine persuasive techniques used by print and television advertisements. They generate a list of persuasive techniques they're familiar with, and review other types argumentation and...
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The Artist as Entrepreneur
Some kids know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. This careers lesson aids upper graders in considering who they are as artists and how they can profit from their art, making a career out of something they love. This is a...
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Judges in the Classroom: Unfair of Deceptive Sales Practices
Middle and high schoolers learn to judge fair and unfair sales practices. They read, discuss, and work through hypothetical situations to evaluate whether the sales practices were deceptive or unfair. Handouts are included.
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Shopping-Unit Pricing
Comparing unit prices of food products is a skill that learners will use for the rest of their lives. Here is a simple plan that provides practice calculating the unit price for various grocery store products. Use two jars with differing...
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Life Skills for Vocational Success: Transportation, Owning a Car; Topic 4: Other Expenses
What are the "hidden" costs of owning a car such as the license tags, gas, and maintenance? High schoolers will learn the reasons car owners have to pay the car tax to keep cars registered. They will also discover the expense of...
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Life Skills for Vocational Success: Transportation, Owning a Car; Topic 3: Car Insurance
High schoolers will listen as the teacher describes how car insurance works. They discuss the three monetary factors (amount of coverage, deductible, and premium). Students discuss the various types of coverage. as well as the total costs.
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Life Skills for Vocational Success: Transportation, Owning a Car; Topic 2: Financing a Car
Discuss various places to obtain a loan. Your class will determine the principal, interest, and terms of a loan. They will also compute the monthly payments of loans, including the interest. They contact three lending institutions to...
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Life Skills for Vocational Success: Transportation, Owning a Car, Topic 1: Purchasing a Car
Discuss things to consider when purchasing a car with high schoolers. They will use newspaper ads to locate a car in their price range. Then they use a "Loan Calculation Chart" to estimate monthly payments of their car. In the end, they...
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Creating a Shared Culture
Students simulate working on an assembly line in a shared culture. In this consumerism lesson, students participate in a lecture and note-taking session before working on a simulated assembly line. They work in a timed situation to...
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Money Matters to Me
Fourth graders explore economics by identifying financial goals. In this consumerism lesson, 4th graders discuss money matters and how to conserve an income when they get older in order to achieve their goals. Students collaborate in...