Curated OER
Critical Consumerism
Students investigate the ways companies target the teenage demographic. In this advertising lesson, students discuss in focus groups what they like to buy. Students also complete a related worksheet.
Curated OER
The Market System and Consumerism
Students examine their own consumption habits. Using various advertisements, they discuss their role in showing consumers what they must have in their lives. As a class, they encourage each other to change their habits and discuss how...
Curated OER
Is TV Stronger Than Ever, or Becoming Obsolete?
The New York Times offers of two articles and two summaries for learners to consider. They read each article and then post a blog response to each of the seven related questions. The topic of the articles asks the question; Is TV...
Curated OER
The Persuaders
Have your upper graders watch the documentary, "The Persuaders" as they explore how advertisers try to gain potential customers. The video is followed by a discussion and close examination of new marketing trends and strategies.
Curated OER
Grocery Shopping
Students apply budgeting and shopping strategies. They study consumer shopping skills and guidelines to be a better shopper by comparing stores, comparing prices and unit pricing, brands, using coupons and not being fooled with...
Curated OER
Are You Plugged In?
High schoolers develop an awareness of one's own media habits. Make connections between ads and one's own consumer behavior. They track their current TV and/or Internet viewing habits and video game time by keeping a TV Diary for one week.
Curated OER
Eating Under the Rainbow
Students investigate the lure of snack-food advertisements to explain how snacks can fit into a healthy diet.
Curated OER
Consumerism and Holidays
Students explore the free enterprise system and the role that buying and selling of holiday goods have upon the economy. They recognize and demonstrate that advertising design influences one's life.
Curated OER
Consumption
Students analyze the issue of consumption using the No Impact Project. In this consumption lesson, students watch a video about issues related to consumption. Students discuss the prevalence of advertising and society's need for...
Curated OER
Consumerism
Young scholars identify image and information ads, define consumer goods and services, explain teen consumer spending impacts.
Curated OER
Consumerism and the Consumer Society
High schoolers read an article titled "How Much Is Enough?" by Alan Durning. They work in small groups to summarize the author's main point for each paragraph and then identify and discuss further questions they may have in response to...
Curated OER
Consumer Culture in the 1950s: New Shopping Centers and Advertising trends
Eleventh graders analyze the cultural and social aspects of the 1950s. Using primary source documents, they work together to determine what society was like. They use that information to write an essay about how their information...
Curated OER
Consumerism - Grocery Shopping
Students watch a video on how marketers plan their strategies in supermarkets. In groups, they are given a set amount of money and asked to go through a grocery store simulation with a list. After the simulation, they discuss the...
Curated OER
1920s Consumer Culture
Students are immersed in the following goals of learning: The importance of consumerism in the 1920's. Also have learners recognize the connections between commodities and culture in the American past and present. Finally the ability for...
Curated OER
Problem-Based Research Lesson: Wal-Mart Debate
To prepare for class, learners will read several articles (links included). Students discuss the articles, and ways to deal with the proliferation of big-box stores in rural areas. The class takes two minutes to generate a research...
Curated OER
The True "Cost of Cool!"
Eighth graders study hidden environmental costs in things we buy. In this consumerism lesson students watch a video about consumerism and analyze advertisements in teen magazines.
Curated OER
Privacy and Online Life: Protect Yourself
Help your class protect privacy, security, and their online profiles with this examination of social media, especially Facebook, and who can see what about each of us. Resource contains useful links for learners to conduct their own...
Curated OER
Miss America
The first part of this article by PBS on the Miss America pageants can be used in a health class when it's time to talk about body image. There are links to related articles. There are some great questions for discussion. There are ideas...
Annenberg Foundation
The Progressives
The Progressive Era brought about a word that often leads to turmoil—change! Learners research the late 1800s in American history to uncover societal issues gripping the nation back in the day. The 15th lesson of a 22-part series...
Curated OER
Consumer Confusion: Wants versus Needs and Gandhi's Wisdom
Fourth graders create graphs to illustrate consumer consumption throughout the world. In this consumer lesson plan, 4th graders also discuss wants and needs around the world, and consider Gandhi's opinion on material possessions as they...
Curated OER
That's Dope - Part 1
High schoolers investigate drugs in sports. In this performance enhancing drugs lesson, students discuss the uses for steroids in medicine and sports. High schoolers utilize the web to play a steroid related game, view media clips of...
Curated OER
History of Miss America
Students make a time-lines of of decades using images from Miss America. In this history lesson, students looks at the country's beauty pageant and how it changes the lives of women in America. Students debate issues such as size...
Curated OER
Boomtime
Students view a short film about the rise of prosperity after World War II. They examine the role of status symbols and owning vehicles. They compare and contrast advertisements from the 1950's with those from the 1990's.
Curated OER
The Automobile’s Influence on Post-WWII Suburbia
Eighth graders explore post World War II America. For this American History lesson, 8th graders analyze primary and secondary sources to research how the automobile influenced the growth of suburbs, and how the growth of suburbs...