- 2011
The Wealth of Nations Socratic Seminar
This lesson offers detailed instructions on how to run a Socratic Seminar and provides specific resources for a Socratic Seminar lesson using readings from Adam […]
- 2011
Yoda, Adam Smith, and Division of Labor
This lesson provides a specific example of division of labor from Adam Smith’s TheWealth of Nations using Yoda Origami and group work. All of our […]
- 2011
American Imports and Tariff Policy
This lesson features an investigation into the United States’ biggest imports and an evaluation of tariff policy and its impact on the economy. All of […]
- 2011
Facts Are Stubborn Things
This lesson focuses on facts, data, and their usefulness in civil discourse, politics, and public policy. Students will be given a quick quiz (not for […]
- 2011
Evaluating an Economy’s Health
Students analyze global economic datasets to evaluate the strengths and limitations of different economic indicators. Using evidence from multiple data sources, they determine which metrics […]
- 2011
The Great Economic Auction
Students bid on quotes from famous economists to help their team build an argument for why their assigned economic system is the best. All of […]
- 2011
Comparative Study of Economies and Countries
Students will research various economic metrics for countries (United States, Mexico, UK, China, and one additional country). Students review types of economies and match the […]
- 2011
The Best Modern-Day Capitalist
It’s tournament time! Looking at America’s modern-day capitalists, students will decide: who is the best? What criteria should be used to judge them? Then, students […]
- 2011
Wealth of Nations Analysis
This lesson gives students an overview of the key concepts in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations as foundational to the United States capitalist system. […]
- 2011
Wealth of Nations Vocabulary
This vocabulary sheet gives students an overview of the key concepts in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. All of our lesson plans are created […]
- 2011
Country Comparison
Students will judge which country is the “best” place to live based on the metrics and indices. While doing so, students should see how democracy […]
- 2011
Hamilton and the Golden Line Protocol
In 1791, Alexander Hamilton defended the constitutionality of a national bank against objections from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Using the Golden Line Protocol, students […]
- 2011
Gospel of Wealth Analysis
This lesson introduces the question, “What is the government’s role in the economy?” Students will learn about the laws and norms of the American government […]
- 2011
FDR’s “Arsenal of Democracy”
These activities focus on FDR’s “Arsenal of Democracy” Fireside Chat (#16), which was delivered on December 29, 1940. Students will examine the address’s content and […]
- 2011
Inauguration Day 1933
The U.S. Presidential Election of 1932 represented a change in leadership during a time of national crisis. During this transition, FDR prepared to enter the […]
- 2011
Competing Visions of America
Students will explore core political and economic ideas of prominent 18th- and 19th century northern and southern thinkers (Jefferson, Fithugh, George, and Webster) through primary […]
- 2011
Spectrum of Thought: 20th and 21st Century Thinkers
In this 90-minute graffiti-style lesson, students will work with partners to recode the core ideas of prominent 20th- and 21st-century economic and political thinkers (Theodore […]
- 2011
20th Century Economy Vocabulary
This vocabulary sheet gives students an overview of key concepts in the 20th-century economy. All of our lesson plans are created for teachers, by teachers. […]
- 2011
What is Democracy?
Students will work in small groups to explore seven primary sources to create their own definition of Democracy. The sources include excerpts from the Magna […]
- 2011
What is Capitalism?
Students will work in small groups to explore six primary sources to create their own definition of Capitalism. The sources include excerpts from the U.S. […]
- 2011
What is Communism?
Students will work in small groups to explore seven primary sources to create their own definition of Communism. The sources include excerpts from The Communist […]
- 2011
Precious Equilibrium
There is a precious equilibrium to maintain democratic capitalism in a Western Society. Using the Global Capitalism Index (GCI), students will explore the differences between […]
