Collection
Economics and Personal Finance in Children's Literature

Children are never too young to start learning basic economic concepts such as scarcity, saving, and spending. Discover how this collection of popular picture books can give your classroom an instant economic boost, introducing new vocabulary and concepts while developing reading comprehension and listening and speaking skills.

Lesson

Grades 3-5, 6-8

Willy Wonka Allocates Golden Tickets

In this lesson,  students review scarcity and ways to allocate scarce resources (like golden tickets), taking the perspective of the...
Key Concepts: Allocation, Scarcity
45 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Teach Specialization using Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle

In this economics lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that reinforces the concepts of specialists/entrepreneurs, workers, capital resources, and products. 
Key Concepts: Entrepreneurship, Productive Resources, Specialization
30 mins
Lesson

Content Partner

Grades 3-5

Shark Scam: Money Tales

Students read about two scheming sharks and decide were to invest their money.
Key Concepts: Financial Investments, Goods and Services, Money
45 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Curious George Economics

Use the lovable character Curious George to capture student attention while teaching about personal finance and economics.
Key Concepts: Goods and Services, Productive Resources, Saving…
Lesson

Grades 3-5

Teach About Saving Using "Beatrice's Goat"

This lesson from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis' EconLowdown site teaches students what it means to save and...
Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Saving
60 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Teach Opportunity Cost with "Uncle Jed's Barbershop"

Students listen to the book Uncle Jed's Barbershop, about an African American barber who, despite significant setbacks, saves enough money...
Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Entrepreneurship, Saving
45 - 60 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Specialists Light Up Our Lives!

Peppe and his family moved to America to pursue the American dream. His mother has passed away, his father is...
Key Concepts: Goods and Services, Specialization, Trade, Exchange and Interdependence
Lesson

Grades 6-8

"The Giver": Jonas Makes a Choice

Jonas, a twelve-year old, lives in a seemingly perfect futuristic world. His community protects him from all harm and in...
Key Concepts: Choice, Credit, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis…
Lesson

Grades K-2

A New Coat for Anna - Barter and Trade

By reading the book "A New Coat for Anna" students will learn about resources and trade/bartering through a young girl,...
Key Concepts: Barter, Money, Resources
45 mins
Lesson

Activity