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

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

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Grades 9-12

LeBron James, The Cavaliers, and Derived Demand

PBS video author Paul Solman reports that LeBron James has added $200 million in value to the city of Cleveland...

Key Concepts: Demand, Division of Labor/Specialization

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: For Undocumented Workers, It's Not-so-Sweet Home Alabama

The controversial Alabama immigration law, know as HB 56, instructs employers to check a worker's immigration status with the government's...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Can America's Jobless Fill American Jobs?

With the U.S. unemployment rate stuck around 9 percent, economics correspondent Paul Solman explores whether widespread joblessness is simply the...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Jokes, Quotations, and Cartoons in Economics

Students will apply their knowledge of economics to the analysis and interpretation of jokes, quotations, and cartoons in economics. Students...

Key Concepts: Budget Deficit, Business, Business Cycles…

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: How to Succeed in Business by Really, Really Trying

Is the aptitude for business (the legal kind) distributed among convicted criminals as it is in the general population? One...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: From Ball and Chain to Cap and Gown: Getting a B.A. Behind Bars

What college is tougher to get into than Harvard, Princeton or Yale? Bard College. Not the campus in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.,...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Oscar-Winning 'Inside Job' Director Attacks Economists' Ties to Financial Sector

As part of his continuing coverage of Making Sen$e of financial news, Paul Solman reports on the aftermath of the...

Key Concepts: Character, Division of Labor/Specialization, Economic Incentives…

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Returning Vets Face a New Battle: The Job Market

As part of his series on Making Sen$e of financial news, economics correspondent Paul Solman reports on the challenges veterans...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: In Ohio, How 2 Counties' Economic Paths Diverged Over 30 Years

As part of his series on Making Sen$e of financial news, economics correspondent Paul Solman reports from two Ohio counties...

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

Video

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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

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: So You Have a Liberal Arts Degree and Want a Job?

Paul Solman looks at grads who've already been out of college for several years and are still struggling to find...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: The World of 'Mal-Employment' for New Grads'

Paul Solman looks at how college graduates are faring in the dismal job market and how many are force into...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Stress, Burnout Taking Toll on Many U.S. Workers

Economic woes aren't just hard on the unemployed. Paul Solman reports on those who are employed but say they're overworked...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Author Says Modern Life is Good Despite Recession

Author Matt Ridley says life is getting better and better despite the recession. Paul Solman reports on Ridley's optimism.

Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Demand, Specialization…

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Lengthy Joblessness Takes Emotional Toll on 99ers

Paul Solman talks to people who have been out of work for 99 weeks or longer as part of his...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Cleveland's Basketball Boon Brings Economic Vigor

Paul Solman explores the massive economic impact an upcoming decision by NBA superstar Lebron James will have on Cleveland.

Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Consumers, Demand…

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Grads Still Bound for Wall Street Despite Crisis

Paul Solman talks to Harvard economist Ben Friedman about college graduates who continue flocking to Wall Street, three years into...

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

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Examining the Motivations of the Modern Workforce

Business and Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports on what drives people's behavior in the modern workforce.

Key Concepts: Credit, Decision, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis…

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Unemployment Benefits in Jeopardy

In this economics video, Paul Solman examines troubles in Florida for both those receiving and those paying for jobless benefits.

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

Video

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