Grade 6-8, 9-12
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Sunrise on Scarcity: What “The Hunger Games” Can Teach Us About Economics

Updated: October 21 2026
Teacher Version
Objective Standards Description
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Objective

Teachers will be able to:

  • be introduced to the popular “Hunger Games” book series and the social commentary it includes
  • review the economic concepts of scarcity, choices, cost and benefits, and decision-making.
  • participate in an interactive problem-solving activity.

Standards

State Standards

Concepts

Basic Economic Concepts, Cost and Benefits, Decision Making, Firms and Production, Scarcity

Description

Get ready to harness the excitement surrounding the new movie The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping to make economics memorable for your students! This prequel, based on the popular Hunger Games book series, explores the compelling story of Haymitch Abernathy and his experiences in the 50th Hunger Games. Key economic concepts such as scarcity, wants, needs, goods, services, and decision-making will be interwoven with the timely themes of poverty, power, and propaganda.  Participants will be provided with engaging, classroom-ready resources to help students think critically about economics and society.

Subjects:
Economics

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