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Unit Plan
Council for Economic Education

Teaching Economics Using Children's Literature

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Introduce young learners to the subject of economics using their favorite stories and books. Including 24 separate lessons, this guide covers economic principles such as trade, scarcity, consumer goods and services, renewable and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trekking to Timbuktu: A Center of Trade

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners conduct online research regarding the origins of the city of Timbuktu and discover why it became such an important place. Students write about the city's origins until it became a part of Mali.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Limiting Trade

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Read a narrative describing various types of trade restrictions, and then engage in a debate about a new tariff. Critical thinkers will evaluate arguments to determine who benefits and who is hurt by the new tariff. Consider assigning...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Comparative Advantage and Gains from Trade

For Students 11th - 12th
Using a formula and several economic scenarios, learners answer six problem solving questions and finish a graph. They will use this learning exercise to better understand comparative advantage and economic gains made through trade.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in Old Babylonia: The Importance of Trade

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the trade network in Old Babylonia. They analyze maps, explore various websites, develop a list of goods imported to and exported from Babylonia, and write an essay.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ancient Civilization of Mali

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students explore the ancient civilization of Mali and examine various historical and cultural aspects of the civilization. In this ancient civilization of Mali lesson, students examine trade with respect to geographic locations, discover...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the ancient African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. They brainstorm what they know about ancient African kingdoms before investigating the trade and barter situations, and researching one of the kingdoms for an oral...
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PPT
Curated OER

The Rise of Islam: Ch 10

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Covering the rise of Islam just got easier. This presentation covers the spread of Islam via trade routes, politics, and unification through the Profit Muhammad. Islamic beliefs and practices are also touched upon, including an image...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chapter 37: International Trade

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Several graphs help to illustrate the dynamics of international trade in this slideshow. World prices, imports and exports, and the economic impact of tariffs are detailed in the presentation, along with arguments for free trade and the...
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PPT
Curated OER

Today's World

For Teachers 10th - 11th
While not an exhaustive review of globalization and trade, this overview of the inter-related nature of the economy would be a good tool to use in the classroom. This resource could be used to begin a discussion on the various topics...
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Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Guess That Spice

For Teachers 1st - 7th Standards
From medical treatments to cooking, people have been using herbs and spices for thousands of years. Perform a blind smell test of household herbs and spices to engage students in learning about ancient spice trading. Research the history...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Economic Reasoning: Why Are We A Nation Of Couch Potatoes?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the visual aids of this lesson to study the costs and benefits of decisions about diet and exercise. They investigate human choice as it affects behavior and in turns effects economics and consequences.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trade in Precontact Alaska

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners explore the geography of Alaska and its effect on trade. In this ancient Alaska lesson, students participate in a simulation that requires them to trade with those in the territory and outside of it.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Belief Systems Along the Silk Roads

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners examine cultural diffusion. In this Silk Road instructional activity, students research primary sources to compare and contrast the religious beliefs encountered and shared by those who traded along the Silk Road route.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Importance of Imports

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners explore world trade by examining items they find at home and listing countries those items came from. Data is displayed on a map and charted according to continent. They discuss how products are transported.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Live in an International Community

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners locate the different countries from which their clothing originates. Using a blank map, they identify and color in those areas.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trade in the Indian Ocean: Should China End Zheng He's Treasure Voyages?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the amount of trade that occurs in the Indian Ocean. Using China as an example, they discuss the reasons why it ended its treasure voyages in the area and predict what would have happened if the voyages continued. They...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Base Ten Blocks Rods and Flats (A)

For Students 1st - 2nd
Using visual cues and hands on manipulatives are great for conveying concepts in a concrete way. Learners are given a set of rods, they break the set up into flats, then count the rods left over to determine an answer. There are 5...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Basics Of Foreign Trade And Exchange

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Have your scholars read a handout related to the foreign trade market and how there is an exchange of goods. They read the information as a research assignment and make connections as to how the market fits together.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Expansion

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students locate California and New York on a map and explore available means of travel in the 19th century. Students explore the role of trade in pioneer America and simulate various barter transactions.
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PPT
Curated OER

2nd Grade Social Studies

For Teachers 2nd
Having a basic understanding to how our economy works is a great way to help students understand the world around them. This Social Studies presentation focuses on defining the concepts of trade, goods, service, wants, needs, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Baltimore as a Port of Entry

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the Port of Baltimore. In this European immigration to America instructional activity, 4th graders investigate the port as port of entry between 1830 and 1850. Students examine primary documents from selected Web...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Columbian Exchange

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the impact of the Columbian Exchange. In this Exploration Age activity, 7th graders view video clips and read materials related to the trade that took place in the era. Students use SMARTNotebook slides to...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Silk Road Assessment

For Students 6th - 8th
In this ancient trade routes worksheet, middle schoolers respond to 10 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question about the Silk Road and its significance.