Standards for Should I Join the Sweatshop Boycott?

Standard: 16

Name: Growth and Fluctuations

Investment in factories, machinery, and technology, and in the health, education, and training of people can encourage economic growth and increase the standard of living in a country. Economic fluctuations, such as recessions, result in a temporary worsening of economic conditions as people have a harder time finding jobs and companies cut back or shut down production.

• 6-8: At the middle school level, students learn the importance of labor productivity in stimulating economic growth. Students learn what can improve labor productivity.
• 9-12: At the high school level, students learn about policies and institutions that could improve economic growth. They also learn about short-run fluctuations in the economy such as recessions and expansions.Benchmark Students will know that: Students will use this knowledge to: 16.M.1 Economic growth is a sustained increase in the quantity of the goods and services produced in a country.Research the real GDP of various countries and draw conclusions about the differences in economic growth between those countries. 16.M.2 Labor productivity is output per worker.Calculate the class’s average labor productivity after completing an activity (i.e., paper airplane production, solving calculations, jumping jacks, etc.). 16.M.3 One way an economy can grow over time is by increasing the number of workers. Another important way for an economy to grow over time is by increasing the output per worker.Perform a simple task such as making paper airplanes and then determine if more students engaged in the task will increase the production of the good or the workers’ productivity. 16.M.4 Workers can improve their labor productivity by using physical capital such as tools and machinery.Provide examples where using tools (an excavator to dig a hole, AI to write a summary of information) can increase the productivity of a worker. 16.M.5 Workers can improve their productivity when they learn new ideas or use better tools that help them perform more efficiently.Estimate the time required to complete tasks (solving a Rubik’s Cube, making an origami animal, or assembling a piece of furniture) with and without instructions. Analyze the differences and draw conclusions on how learning new methods and using tools can enhance workers’ productivity.M: MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS National Content Standards in K–12 Economics | 56 Standard 16: Growth and Fluctuations

Standard: 8

Name: Labor and Income

Income for most people is determined by the market value of their labor and other productive resources they sell. A worker’s wage depends on their productivity and the price of the product they produce. Many factors affect the distribution of income in an economy, including differences in educational levels, experience, and career choices, as well as discrimination and government policies.

• K-5: In elementary school, students learn that people work to earn income.
• 6-8: In middle school, students learn that income from labor depends on worker productivity and the price of the goods the worker produces. They are also introduced to ways in which other resources can generate income.
• 9-12: In high school, students explore income distribution and factors that cause differences in income levels among households.Benchmark Students will know that: Students will use this knowledge to: 8.E.1 Labor is a human resource that is used to produce goods and services.Identify different types of labor (human resources) and the goods and services they produce in their community. 8.E.2 Income is the payment people earn for work they do. People spend, save, or pay taxes with their income.Explain how people earn income and why they don’t spend all their income on buying goods and services. 8.E.3 People can earn income by exchanging their labor (physical or mental work) for wages or salaries.Interview adults about why they work and explain the reasons people have for working. Explain the difference between a wage and a salary.E: ELEMENTARY STUDENTS