ECONOMICS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS

Designed and Presented by Sarah Shipley

RATIONALE

Economics = Boring and Terrifying

Now I’m a teacher and I have to teach economics.

Praxis

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What is the overall impact of the economy on (my) life?

Topical Questions: How has economics changed over time? How has economic theory been influenced by

history? What created the current economic crisis and

how can we fix it?

BLUE COLLAR BUDGET

Inspired by the Book Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. Place of Work = Wal-Mart $7.50/hour 40 Hours a week = $1200/ month Living Expenses (Food, Gas, Phone)- $214 Housing—Dun Dun Dun

St. Mary’s Landing Apartments- Studio Apartment $710 a month (includes water and sewer)

WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH?

WebQuest about the current economic crisis

https://sites.google.com/site/whatcausedthecrash/home

CAUSES AND PREVENTIONS ORGANIZER Synthesis of everything I learned from

the WebQuest

What I would hope my students would take away from that experience

HISTORY OF ECONOMICS TIMELINE Show economic developments alongside

historical events and cultural movements

Interconnectedness of history

Useful in the future when questions arise about an economic theory

FAVORITE RESOURCES

Wikipedia

Nickel and Dimed

A Brief History of Economics: Artful Approaches to the Dismal Science

WHAT I LEARNED Content: Economics is actually

interesting when put in its historical and social context

Self: I am insanely stubborn and love structure, I will always make the product myself first before giving my students the assignment

Professional Development: Time consuming and would be better if could be done in a more relaxing environment.

What’s Next: Continue with Economics (Need more 20th Century); Look into world history

BRINGIN’ IT BACK HOME

Important to help students see the value in understanding modern economics Use WebQuest to do this

Always link economics to historical setting and social events

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

We each have a role in our economy; each purchase we make, or do not make; each stock trade that is made, or not made; effects our current economic situation. From the smallest child, to the oldest adult, we make our economy run; therefore, we must know how the economy functions to insure our prosperity.