Browse lesson plans, videos, activities, and more by grade level

Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Economists expect 'messier' jobs report for October after unimpressive September

Employment data for the month of September was finally released after being delayed for weeks by the shutdown. The numbers...

Key Concepts: Division of Labor/Specialization, Employment and Unemployment

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Mass. exchange model shows vast coverage for citizens, high care costs for state

October 1 was the opening day nationwide for new health care exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. But Massachusetts has...

Key Concepts: Consumers, Division of Labor/Specialization, Insurance

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Former Interns Debate Worth and Legality of Unpaid Gigs

Legally, unpaid interns can't displace regular paid workers, doing real work for no pay. So why have unpaid internships have...

Key Concepts: Business Costs and Revenues, Division of Labor/Specialization, Producers

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Artists Learn Art of Business to Brave Tough Economic Times

In the classical performing arts, more and more artists -- ever more highly skilled -- compete for fewer and fewer...

Key Concepts: Budgeting, Demand, Division of Labor/Specialization…

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Left Behind by the Recovery, Inner City Teens Struggle to Find Jobs

The jobs report for June 2013 found that among teens alone, the jobless rate was almost 25 percent -- more...

Key Concepts: Business Cycles, Division of Labor/Specialization, Employment and Unemployment

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Performing Artists Compete, Move, Adapt in Tough Economy

A new report shows 45 percent of young adults who recently got a college degree are underemployed, and the next...

Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Demand, Division of Labor/Specialization…

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Treasury Secretary Lew on Long-Term Unemployment, Party Divide on Spending Cuts

In a conversation with economics correspondent Paul Solman, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew addresses jobs and economic growth -- issues paramount...

Key Concepts: Aggregate Demand, Budget Deficits and Public Debt, Business Cycles…

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Brutal Job Search Reality for Older Americans Out of Work for Six Months or More

Despite a rosier jobs picture in April, for Americans ages 55 or older who have been unemployed long-term, the prospect...

Key Concepts: Division of Labor/Specialization, Employment and Unemployment, Goods and Services…

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: A Boom in Entrepreneurship, Self-Employment Among Late Bloomers

Are mature entrepreneurs on the rise? Economics correspondent Paul Solman talks to older workers who decided to pursue their own...

Key Concepts: Division of Labor/Specialization, Entrepreneurs, Financial Investments…

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Is Globalization Wiping Out the American Surfboard Industry?

Economic correspondent Paul Solman reports on an American-born product hit hard by globalization: the surfboard. In Southern California, U.S.-based manufacturers...

Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Benefits of Trade, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis…

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Grades 9-12

The 411 on College Education

One of the most important financial decisions people make is whether to go to college. The price tag of a...

Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Division of Labor/Specialization, Market Structures

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Manufacturer Vita Needle Finds Investment in Older Workers Turns a Big Profit

The average age of Vita Needle's workers is 74 years old, and that's no accident. The manufacturing company has intentionally...

Key Concepts: Division of Labor/Specialization, Goods and Services, Producers

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Is Applying for Jobs Online Not an Effective Way to Find Work?

With a bad economy and nearly everyone on the internet, one job opening promoted online can receive thousands of applications....

Key Concepts: Division of Labor/Specialization, Employment and Unemployment, Goods and Services…

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Grades 6-8, 9-12

Division of Labor/Specialization Video and Quiz

This video teaches the concepts of Division of Labor and Specialization. The division of labor refers to the practice that...

Key Concepts: Benefits of Trade, Credit, Demand…

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

Trade, Exchange and Interdependence Video and Quiz

This video teaches the concept of Trade, Exchange and Interdependence. People do not make everything that they and their family...

Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Benefits of Trade, Credit…

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

Productive Resources Video and Quiz

This video teaches the concept of Productive Resources. Productive resources are used to produce goods and services and are classified...

Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Division of Labor/Specialization, Entrepreneurs…

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