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. After reading about specialization of labor, pupils experience the economic decisions made on a daily basis in a neolithic village using a simulated trade activity. 

Concepts

the prehistoric era, crops, survival, farming, standard of living, capital resources, labor, consumers, economic growth, economics

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the PowerPoint for direct instruction on the Neolithic era or economic concepts
• Ask the class to consider how decisions about survival were economic questions in the prehistoric era

Classroom Considerations

• Second of 23 Middle School World History lessons from the Council for Economic Education

Pros

• Complete set of materials, including PowerPoint and simulation, are ready to use in the classroom
• Engaging simulation and discussion questions encourage students to think critically about economic issues

Cons

• Lesson plans do not have much background on the Neolithic Era

Common Core

RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.3