Second graders explore financial decision making. In this introductory economics lesson plan, 2nd graders listen to the book Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst, and discuss making financial choices based on...

This is part two in a four-part instructional activity on banking and personal finance. In this instructional activity, learners analyze whether or not they have made a good purchase, then discuss how to make an informed decision about a...

After reading the book A Bargain for Frances, young economists discuss how money is exchanged for goods or services. They demonstrate effective financial decision-making by listing ways to save money for a product they would like to buy.

Here is a resource covering a range of terms and concepts regarding scarcity, opportunity cost, and government debt in economics. 

Students determine how to spend donated money. In this money choices lesson, students explore the needs of the community. They determine the best use of donated funds for a good cause or charity. Students play a bingo game to reinforce...

Students make choices regarding money management. In this personal finance lesson, students explore budgets, incomes, and expenses as they learn vocabulary regarding personal finance and consider how to create personal budgets.

Students participate in a role play as producers of two goods, allowing students to experience scarcity. They make choices about using their scarce resource to produce both or one of two goods. Then they construct...

Work on making good shopping choices with a fun economics project. Kids analyze the differences between brand names and generic products, bigger and smaller units for purchase, and different places they can shop for different items.

Students identify and interpret that economic activity involves making choices in the face of scarcity, therefore making choices involves a cost. They also identify that individuals interact in markets by inducing one another, through...

Learners see what it means to be a smart consumer by engaging in a level-headed analysis of budget, opportunity costs and self-regulation. They compare prices within a service field, and weigh the choices of spending money on that item.

Student explore an economic-decision making model to decide where to donate money they have collected. In this philanthropic money lesson, students develop a plan for raising money and then decide how to best spend it for the most...

Students identify the needs of their community. In this communities lesson, students use a decision-making model worksheet to determine what community service project they should donate to. Students count the money they have to donate...

Which is better, Coke or Pepsi? Pupils analyze the concept of substitute goods as they investigate the choice to purchase alternate products for better prices. Fun and practical, the engaging shopping exercise helps savvy scholars get...

What happens to your money between the time you make a bank deposit and the time you decide to spend it? Take middle schoolers and teens through the process of opening checking and savings accounts, creating a personal budget,...

Young scholars participate in activities that teach them how to manage money. In this managing money lesson plan, students set long and short term goals for economic success by having discussions, identifying benefits of saving, and...

Students demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of unlimited wants and limited resources. They participate in an activity using money to purchase goods and services. Students evaluate benefits and costs resulting from personal...

Third graders understand the economics of choices in buying. In this goods and services lesson, 3rd graders participate in activities to make choices about purchases. Students write stories, answer questions, and complete worksheets to...

Examine how the economics of a school store relate to real world economics. Elementary students explore various websites, complete a Venn diagram, create a schedule of wages for the students, read the book "A Chair For My Mother" and...

Upper graders explore the connection between interest and principal. They use an amortization schedule to determine the amount of principal paid vs interest on a $100,000 home loan. Fourteen discussion questions and a research-based...

Students explore different payment methods. In this math lesson, students discuss the difference between writing a check and paying online. They will compare and contrast and present their data to the class.

Here is an outstanding lesson on wants versus needs designed for 1st graders. Pupils listen to the book, Something Good which presents themes on wants, needs, choice, resources, and counting money. Pupils complete worksheets embedded in...

Students explore profit and risk. In this economics lesson, students read about McDonald's and Nabisco stock and discuss the risks and rewards of stock ownership. Printable worksheets ask questions about rights of stock owners and the...

Students identify the various coins and their values through presentations, a rubric, a value pretest, and coin manipulatives. Money is incorporated into various activities whether at home or in school. Students create money webs using...

Eighth graders produce a manufactured good and monitor energy consumption.  In this Math lesson, 8th graders practice their basic math and accounting skills.  Students participate in a business simulation.