Argues that instructors may mislead students when they credit efficient performance as flowing entirely from competition. Distinguishes between competitive behavior and market structure; refines the implications of opportunity cost and profit; and derives useful conclusions about the nature and sources of productive and allocative efficiency. (DB)

This lesson plan features a classroom simulation that helps students understand the characteristics of a market economic system. The lesson plan states a purpose; cites student objectives; suggests a time duration; lists materials needed; and details a step-by-step teaching procedure. The "Paper Airplane Challenge" handout is attached. (BT)

Shows how a first-grade class explored the activities that are completed by people who design products, develop production systems, use materials and machines to make goods, and market the output from manufacturing plants. (JOW)

This lesson plan helps students understand the role consumer demand plays in the market system, i.e., how interactions in the marketplace help determine pricing. Students will participate in an activity that demonstrates the concepts of demand, demand schedule, demand curve, and the law of demand. The lesson plan provides student objectives;…

Presents instructions for playing "Widgets and Blasters," an educational game designed to illustrate the functioning of a competitive market and help students understand economic models. Explains that the aims of the activity are to encourage students to identify the pattern of price over time and analyze the pattern in terms of…

This project is designed to teach students the process of buying stocks and to tracking their investments over the course of a semester. The goals of the course are to teach students about the relationships between conditions in the economy and the stock market; to predict the effect of an economic event on a specific stock or industry; to relate…

Describes a two-stage experiment where students play the role of farmers who must select one of four markets (corn, wheat, rice, or soybeans). Demonstrates the process leading to equilibrium in a multimarket setting. Includes an appendix with the farmer profit chart and homework exercises. (CMK)

This paper considers the teaching of journalism ethics and suggests readings to help students absorb the discipline and produce an original research paper. The paper also assists students' professional goals upon graduation. Two publications that examine journalistic ethics, "The Virtuous Journalist" (Stephen Klaidman and Tom L.…

Presents a case study of radio broadcasting that could be used with students in an investigation of competition and regulation. Discusses the British Broadcasting Act and its attempts at privatization, encouragement of competition, and deregulation of markets. Includes questions and the Hotelling Model of a market to explain the situation in radio…

Discusses issues related to short-run marginal cost and long-run marginal cost in economic theory. Asserts that few economics textbooks deal with important aspects of this concept. Includes four figures illustrating the approach suggested by the authors. (CFR)

Invention offers many benefits as a unit of study. It teaches valuable process, subject integration, and critical thinking skills. It is especially relevant to American history. Over 60 percent of the annual growth in U.S. gross national product comes from technological advances. Technology is the cardiovascular system of the U.S. economy.…

Discusses the concept of "Giffen goods" as it applies to price theory in economics instruction. Provides a graphic presentation and analysis of Giffen goods and behavior. Includes examples of Giffen behavior that can be used to illustrate the concept. (CFR)

Provides two economics lessons that each deal with a type of collectible (beanbag toys and Pokemon cards) that interests students. Reinforces such concepts as markets, scarcity, equilibrium, supply and demand, monopolies, and government regulation. Provides a sample quiz and a glossary of terms with examples. (CMK)

"The Yummy Pizza Company" is an interdisciplinary thematic unit that introduces the world of work to elementary school age students. The 10 lesson outlines can be adapted up or down to be used in grades 1-5 because an attempt has been made to keep required reading and writing assignments to a minimum. Optional assignments may be added for more…

Contends that supply-side economics has generated a long-standing debate in both academic and political circles. Discusses the concepts of supply-side economics and how it is represented by the Laffer Curve. Illustrates the use of graphic analysis of tax rates and revenue to show the Laffer effect and supply-side economics. (CFR)