Collection
Teaching the Fundamentals: Scarcity, Opportunity Cost, and Decision Making for Middle School

Lesson

Grades 6-8, 9-12

The Costs and Benefits of Hosting the Olympics

In this economics lesson, students will determine the costs and benefits of hosting the Olympic games and create a poster...
Key Concepts: Basic Economic Concepts, Cost and Benefits, Decision Making…
45 mins
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, Allocation, Allocation…
45 mins
Lesson

Grades 3-5, 6-8

The Costs and Benefits of Beans' Decisions

"Full of Beans" by Jennifer L. Holm tells a story about Beans Curry and his many decisions during the Great...
Key Concepts: Basic Economic Concepts, Decision Making, Incentives…
45 mins
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: Basic Economic Concepts, Decision Making, Scarcity
Lesson

Activity

Content Partner

Grades 3-5, 6-8

PBS-NOVA Financial Lab

Managing money is hard! Even when you know what you should do, it can be hard to actually do it....
Key Concepts: Basic Economic Concepts, Budgeting/Money Managment, Decision Making…
45 min
Activity

Video

Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Scarcity Video and Quiz

In this economics video, students will learn about scarcity and play a Kahoot! game.
Key Concepts: Allocation, Basic Economic Concepts, Firms and Production…
10 mins
Video

Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Opportunity Cost Video and Quiz

In this economics video, students will learn about opportunity cost and play a Kahoot! game.
Key Concepts: Basic Economic Concepts, Decision Making, Firms and Production…
20 mins
Video