EconEdLink

Trouble is Brewing in Boston - "Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak"

It’s December 16, 1773 and many of the citizens of Boston are furious with King George’s new tax on tea. Young Ethan, a printer’s errand boy, has been given the task of conveying information concerning an upcoming protest meeting. As he makes his rounds through the city the reader is introduced to the goods and services provided by colonial merchants. [NOTE: These lessons are based on the book "Colonial Voices Hear Them Speak" by Kay Winters. However, it is not necessary for the students to have read the book to successfully complete the activities.]

Old Business, New Business

In this lesson students are introduced to several businesses from the past. They see that, while the names for these businesses are different, many of the elements of that job are seen in occupations today. The web site, "Business Cards..." explains that many of our family names may have come the occupations of preceding generations. The activity at the end of this lesson allows children to create a paper object to symbolize the name of the job described. Ultimately, students may wish to investigate the origins of their own surnames and family businesses from long ago.  

Hawaiian Economics: Barter for Fish & Poi

In ancient Hawaii, chiefs managed the economy by creating a land division system, the Ahupua'a, which divided the islands into pie slice shapes. Each Ahupua'a covered the three main regions of the islands: the mountains, the valleys, and the beach. This system was designed to allow all Hawaiian communities equal access to the limited natural resources of the islands. However, it took a lot of time and energy to gather and grow all these resources, which were often spread out over great distances and located at different elevations. Many Hawaiians began to specialize in fishing and farming, and soon there was a need for Hawaiians to trade with one another to receive items they were no longer growing or gathering for themselves.

Playful Economics

Designed primarily for elementary and middle school students, each of the 15 lessons in this guide introduces an economics concept through activities with modeling clay.

17 out of 17 lessons from this publication relate to this EconEdLink lesson.

Teaching Economics Using Children's Literature

This interdisciplinary curriculum guide helps teachers introduce their students to economics using popular children's stories.

10 out of 29 lessons from this publication relate to this EconEdLink lesson.

Economics & Entrepreneurship: Operating a Classroom Business in the Elementary and Middle School

This revised and updated "how to" guide is a great way to start a classroom business with your students.

7 out of 7 lessons from this publication relate to this EconEdLink lesson.