Economics – A Layered Curriculum Unit
Brian Hamilton
Opportunity School of Cabarrus County
Grading Scale: 78-85 = C; 86-92 = B; 93+ = A
Objectives:
- Describe
how the three basic economic questions are answered in a traditional,
command, and market economy. Explain the roles of self-interest and
incentives in a market economy. Describe the types of mixed economies that
exist today.
- Describe
the main features of free enterprise in the United States. Name the two
markets of the circular flow model. Explain how the circular flow model
reflects exchange.
- Describe
how nations decide how to use scarce resources. List and define the major
goals of the US economy. Explain why economic goals sometimes conflict.
C Layer: earn up
to 85 points
- Complete
all daily work assignments (5 points a day/max 20 points).
- Listen
to the lecture and take notes each day (5 points a day/20 points maximum).
- Bookwork:
Read the chapter and outline it using SQ3R (10 points).
- Complete
the vocabulary worksheet and write a brief, one-act play using these words
in the proper context. (5 points each / 10 points maximum)).
- Create
a game using the ten most important concepts you identify from the
chapter. (5 points)
- Create
a model/chart/diorama of the invisible hand. (10 points)
- Create
an advertisement for The Wealth of
Nations. (5 points)
- View
the film Monetary Policy and
complete the viewing guide (5 points)
- Select
an occupation. Create a product that shows how the occupation you selected
benefits society and the incentives the job provides. (5 points)
- Create
a diagram or model that shows the flow of goods between government,
business, and households. Describe in writing the path that these goods
would follow from production until purchase by the consumer. (10 points).
- Use
magazines, newspapers, and other media to create a collage illustrating
the five main features of the free enterprise system in the United States.
Write a caption that explains how the collage represents these features (5
points).
- Select
a card provided by the teacher that will assign you one of the six
economic goals. Find any media article that illustrates or represents your
assigned goal. Summarize the article in writing and explain how it
illustrates your goal (10 points).
- Create
a chart comparing traditional, command, and market economic systems. Give
examples of each economy and support your work (10 points).
- Complete
the WebQuest associated with your economics unit (5 points).
B Layer: Choose
One – 10 points
1.
Choose to be a supporter of either a traditional or command economy.
Decide how your school would be run based on the economic system you support.
Create a table illustrating how the school will answer the three basic economic
questions.
2.
(May be researched as a group, but speeches must be written separately).
Imagine that Adam Smith is running for President of the United States, and
that you are his speechwriter. Write a speech justifying Smith’s laissez-faire approach to economics. Research
Smith’s theories and apply them to current economic trends. Make your speech
persuasive, contemporary, and speak to the needs and wants of the American
public. (You may present the speech to the teacher or the class).
3.
Group activity: Select a card provided by the teacher that will assign
to you one of the five features of free enterprise. Create and perform a skit
that showcases the group’s feature. Each member of the group must participate
on the skit. Perform the skit for the class or the teacher.
4.
Individual, partner, or group activity: Imagine that you are economic
advisers preparing to address a group of newly elected U.S. legislators. As
economic advisors, it is your job to explain to all new legislators the importance
of each of the six economic goals of the United States, and how and why these
goals conflict. Create at least one chart or poster for your presentation.
5.
Create a diorama (or other artistic representation) of the business
cycle. Research at least three articles related to the current economic period
in the United States (within the last three months). After analyzing your
data, identify the phase of the business cycle we are currently experiencing
and predict what will happen in the next 6 months. Be sure to analyze the
most recent actions of the Federal Reserve, look at the most recent GNP and
GDP numbers, analyze import/export data, and include any economic sectors
that may influence the cycle (i.e. the current mortgage crisis).
A Layer: Choose
one – 10 points
- Research
the author Ayn Rand’s philosophy of objectivism. What economic system does
Ayn Rand’s philosophy most resemble? Do you agree with her philosophy?
(List and explain at least three reasons).
- Research
a time in the history of the United States when government regulation of
the economy has come into conflict with individual freedom. Present an argument
in support of or against the way the problem was rectified (List and
explain three reasons).
- Does
the U.S. free-enterprise system favor consumers or producers? Explain your
reasoning.
- Choose
a period of time in U.S. history and compare and contrast the economic
goals and priorities of the period with what you perceive to be the goals
of today’s society. What does today’s society need to do to achieve their
goals? Are there any lessons to be learned from the past?