Collection
6-12 Social Studies

Economics is central to developing young people into knowledgeable, thinking, and active citizens. Below are some of CEE’s very best resources to help you integrate economic concepts into all of your social studies classes.

Lesson

Grades 9-12

National Budget Simulation

In this economics lesson, students will revise a federal budget to understand its contents.
Key Concepts: Budget Deficits and Public Debt, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Roles of Government
60 mins
Lesson

Grades 6-8, 9-12

The Columbian Exchange

In this lesson, students learn that the Columbian Exchange resulted in an enormous exchange of goods, resources, and institutions between...
Key Concepts: Economic Development, Goods and Services, Specialization…
60 mins
Lesson

Grades 9-12

Traditional Economies and the Inuit

The Inuit people of northern Canada provide an example of a traditional economy. For thousands of years, Inuit parents have...
Key Concepts: Demand, Economic Systems, Goods and Services…
Lesson

Grades 6-8

The Civil War: A War of Resources

The North won the Civil War in large part due to its superior resources. In this lesson students will learn...
Key Concepts: Division of Labor/Specialization, Goods and Services, Resources
Lesson

Grades 6-8, 9-12

Industrial Entrepreneurs or Robber Barons?

This lesson focuses on a group of nineteenth century industrial entrepreneurs described in many history books as Robber Barons. It...
Key Concepts: Credit, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Economic Systems…
Lesson

Grades 6-8, 9-12

Comparative Economic Systems

Students research the economic systems of North Korea and Chad and compare them to the US, guided by questions and...
Key Concepts: Economic Systems
Lesson

Activity

Grades 6-8, 9-12

Interactive National Budget Simulator

Adjust the numbers in this interactive to see if you can balance the budget. This interactive is intended for use...
Key Concepts: Budgeting, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, GDP
Activity

Video

Grades 9-12

Could Brooklyn hipsters help save the middle class?

Frozen ginger slushies, tea-based pro-biotic drinks, a bed bug-killing steam machine -- these are just a few of the locally-grown...
Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Division of Labor/Specialization, Entrepreneurs…
Video

Grades 6-8, 9-12

Economic Systems Video and Quiz

This video teaches the concept of Economic Systems. Economic systems can be categorized according to who makes most of the...
Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Economic Development, Economic Institutions…
Video

Professional Development

Grades 9-12

Why is Globalization So Controversial? | Lesson Demo

This video provides an educator's perspective on teaching Why is Globalization So Controversial?, followed by a demonstration of the lesson...
Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Benefits of Trade, Economic Institutions…
Video

Grades 6-8, 9-12

The Economic Way of Thinking - Video

In this video, Dr. Mark Schug explains how the "economic way of thinking" can help students understand U.S. History concepts....
Key Concepts: Choice, Credit, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis…
Video

Grades 3-5

Old Toy - New Market

Students explore the LEGOLAND theme parks and demonstrate an understanding of how new markets can be created and that cultural...
Key Concepts: Goods and Services, Markets, Profit
Lesson