Council for Economic Education
Economic Systems of the Incas and Aztecs
The Inca and Aztecs created vast economic empires in South America, but how did economics play a role? A simulation activity and reading help scholars evaluate the kinds of markets these great civilizations created. They then consider...
Council for Economic Education
The Economic System of Medieval Europe
How are economics and politics intertwined? Societies in the Medieval period used feudalism for both economic and military reasons. The arrangement provided safety and met other needs. Using the included simulation, individuals...
Council for Economic Education
How Neolithic Farmers Increased Their Standard of Living
How do people improve their economic situations? While many learners may not consider questions about how many crops to grow in ancient times were economic decisions, a hands-on activity encourages individuals to make these connections....
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
Paper Money of the Sung, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties
Why did the Chinese develop paper money? They were the first society to use paper currency. Learners consider why paper money was more convenient than other mechanisms of trade using a helpful lesson plan, which includes a graphic...
Curated OER
It's About Supply and Demand
Watch an Instructional Television (ITV) video and participate in a simulation to explore supply and demand and how those two forces affect price.
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
Business in the Middle Ages: Working in a Guild
Long before modern labor unions, guilds worked to ensure that workers had a fair wage. But, in medieval Europe, they also cooperated with the government. Using a simulation and primary source analysis, young scholars become hatters in...
Curated OER
Calculating Profits from Selling Virtual Lemonade
Students set up and collect data for a virtual lemonade stand. In this entrepreneurship, economics, and technology lesson plan, students purchase ingredients, determine costs, and set up a virtual lemonade stand. Students consider...
Council for Economic Education
The Silk Road
The Silk Road connected the European, Middle Eastern, and Asian worlds. It also helped create the modern trade world. An analysis activity makes the importance of this Chinese innovation clear by asking participants to evaluate trades...
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
What Is A Bank?
You're never too young to learn about banking and personal finance. Use a set of seven banking lessons to teach middle schoolers about checking and savings accounts, interest rates, loans and credit cards, and safety deposit boxes.
Curated OER
Saving Strawberry Farm
Students explore U.S. History by analyzing the Great Depression. For this economic instability lesson, students read fictitious accounts of a farm dealing with the loss of a Strawberry Farm and discuss the reasons behind the loss....
Curated OER
WWII Economics
Learners simulate a classroom rationing program resembling an environment similar to the coupon/stamp rations conducted during WWII. The simulation last 3 days resulting in an observable outcome in relationship to the coupon rationing...
Curated OER
Curiosity Shop
First graders simulate shopping for needs and wants. In this money instructional activity, 1st graders examine Norman Rockwell's painting "Curiosity Shop." Students role-play shopping in a store and making purchases.
Curated OER
Weather Anomalies
Ninth graders participate in a simulation of a select scientific team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Curated OER
Next Year's Seeds
Reading, a math game, and a simulation activity provide the engagement on a lesson about seeds and crops. Learners in grades two through four read an informational passage about crops, seeds, and farming. They highlight important...
Curated OER
Social Issues Facing Children
Students examine the issues facing children in society. In groups, they participate in a simulation to discover the lack of connection between child-support and how it affects the children and society as a whole. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
Which of You Is A Witch?
Students gain comprehensive background knowledge of the Salem witch trials in preparation for reading Arthur Miller's The Crucible. They participate in a role-play activity designed to simulate a modern day witch-hunt.
Curated OER
Mangrove Loss Faster than Land-Based Forests
Students explore the reasons Mangrove forests are in jeopardy. In this lesson, students read an article that discusses specific facts on Mangrove forests, then complete numerous activities that reinforce the information, such as...
Curated OER
Where's King Solomon when we need him?: Good decisions on resources
Young scholars use geographic information to suggest how to manage natural resources through a simulation. They engage in a simulation, and decide how to protect, allocate, and exploit the resources of a hypothetical location.
Curated OER
Schools for Sale
Young scholars explore the concept of for-profit companies running schools. In this privatizing schools lesson plan, students simulate a meeting of school board members, community leaders, and other stakeholders to determine the...
Curated OER
Trip to Mount Vernon
Students compare and contrast travel in the 18th century with current methods of travel by participating in a simulated trip to Mount Vernon. In this US history lesson, students write a letter to George Washington for permission to visit...
Curated OER
Is the media aiding Global Peace when reporting on religion?
Students play 'telephone' to simulate communication difficulties. In this media analysis lesson, students read and analyze newspaper articles related to religious tensions between the Pope and Muslims. Students evaluate the...
Curated OER
Payment Parliament
Learners investigate how the economy works by role playing in their class. In this money management lesson, students read parts from a script for use in a role playing lesson simulating the Federal Reserve and their payment...