University of Texas
Scarcity
How can having too little of something impact your life? Scholars investigate the concept of scarcity in their own lives and in the overall picture of the economy. Brainstorming activities as well as student-parent work bring to light...
Federal Reserve Bank
Monster Musical Chairs and Scarcity
Why can't we have everything we want? Youngsters are introduced to the concept of scarcity through a game of musical chairs and by discussing what it takes to satisfy our wants.
Education Fund
Fear the Scarce Resources
In a life or death situation, what resources would you choose to survive—and why? A zombie attack simulation teaches learners the concepts of scarcity and resources in regards to economics. The hands-on activity requires individuals to...
Curated OER
Social Studies Integrated with Writing Lesson Plan
First graders access prior knowledge about goods and pricing. In this scarcity instructional activity, 1st graders understand the meaning of scarcity and how it effects people. Students prepare for a boat trip and choose...
Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Education
Popcorn Economics
Scarcity of resources is a fundamental economics concepts that kids need to understand. You'll use a large bag of popcorn to demonstrate this concept. Have the class come up row-by-row to fill their snack bags with popcorn. By...
Carolina K-12
Factors of Production and Economic Decision-Making
Class members begin this engaging economics activity by listing all the resources used in producing a car and using that example to draw parallels to the four primary factors of production: capital goods, labor, natural resources, and...
Curated OER
Chapter 2: The Economizing Problem
It doesn't take a lecture on economics to convince teenagers that one's wants often exceed one's means, but this presentation will hopefully help them to understand the discrepancy. Using an example of pizza and robot arms, the slides...
Curated OER
Scarcity and Choice: Mercantilism - the relationships between England, Africa, and the Americas
Students trace the meaning and importance of mercantilism; past and present.
Curated OER
Location of Resources in Early Civilizations
Sixth graders define scarcity and opportunity costs.
Curated OER
WHO Wants Clean Water! Do You? Solving Conflicts Over International Water Rights Issues
Students examine the water rights on an international scale. In this social studies lesson, students research on a specific water rights issue. They write a paper about their findings and create a PowerPoint presentation which they share...
Pulitzer Center
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity, whether as a result of food scarcity or a lack of nutritious food, is a growing and serious problem in the world today. After discussing the concept of food insecurity, learners listen to an NPR radio broadcast on the...
Curated OER
Scarcity and Opportunity Cost - To Choose Is To Refuse
Students are introduced to scarcity and opportunity costs. They discuss how different societies allocate their resources differently based on their needs. Illustrating trade offs, they create a production possibility frontier. They...
Carolina K-12
Comparing Economic Systems
How do people make decisions in a world where wants are unlimited but resources are not? How do individuals and governments utilize scarce resources (human, natural, and capital) in different economic systems? Introduce your learners to...
Curated OER
Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 13, Lesson 1 The Past Shapes the Future (pp. 292-295)
Fourth graders reflect upon the events of the past in order to make cognitive connections to present or future history. Students use Blooms Taxonomy to attain higher levels of thinking.
Curated OER
Sharing is Caring
Young scholars sharpen their problem solving skills. In this service learning lesson, students work collaboratively to solve a problem involving scarcity.
Council for Economic Education
Production Possibilities Curve
Demonstrate the important economic principles of the production possibilities curve, including how to calculate opportunity cost and graph curves by using a table or calculation. Learners use a variety of methods, including videos,...
Council for Economic Education
A Perfect Pet
Students read the story "The Perfect Pet". They examine how scarcity is a problem in society when people can not have everything they want which forces them to make (economic) choices.
Curated OER
Distribution of Goods
Students study the concept of scarcity and that it requires people to make choices when trying to satisfy their unlimited wants. Groups are given bags of items and must distribute the items in the bag in a way that is acceptable to...
Curated OER
Economics during the Civil War
Students synthesize the concepts of scarcity, supply, and demand, pertaining to the Civil War time period. For this economics lesson, students gain understanding of economic terms through read-alouds, Venn diagrams, (comparing lifestyles...
Curated OER
Economic and Social Changes in the High Middle Ages
Middle schoolers investigate the economic and social changes that occurred in the High Middle Ages. They listen to a lecture and take notes, and in small groups compose a medieval charter and role-play its presentation to the class.
Curated OER
Economics: The Scarcity Principle
Students discover how scarcity leads to economic choices. They examine its effect on individuals, business, and governments. Students simulate various scenarios to determine the role scarcity plays in each.
Curated OER
Scarcity and Choices
First graders gain an understanding of the scarcity of resources and how it affects the choices that we make in our everyday lives. Students will participate in a variety of activities such as literature analysis, shopping, journal...
Curated OER
How did Geography Affect the Economy of the Colonies
Eighth graders examine the impact of geography on a region. In this geography lesson, 8th graders study the themes of geography. Students write an open response to a question.
Curated OER
Rationing Scarce Goods and Services
High schoolers examine the concept of scarcity. They list ways in which they can all get a piece of a good or service. They discover the concept of scarcity and discuss.