Library and Research Information

Economics and Literature

This page was written as a supplement for the workshop, Using Literature to Teach Economics, for the Hudson High School Teaching American History grant, 2010. http://www.tahwindows.com/ . See this site for the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics, from the Council for Economic Education, in partnership with the National Association of Economic Educators and the Foundation for Teaching Economics.

First, a review of economic principles. See the following sites:

National Council on Economic Education, Handy Dandy Guide to Economic Thinking.

Basic glossary of economic terms.

Powell Center for Economic Literacy, Keystone Economic Principles.

Next, some useful resources to help you and your students think through economic principles (both documents - from Economics in Action - are found at the bottom of this page):

Guide to Economic Thinking
PACED Decision-Making Model

Below are some important and useful links as you consider how to use literature to teach the topic of economics.

James Madison University, Online Economics Lessons. Includes several lessons specifically using literature.
National Council on Economic Education, Teaching Economics Using Children's Literature. A long list of picture books that can be used to illustrate specific economic concepts.
Open Wide, Look Inside. "A blog about teaching elementary math, science and social studies with heavy emphasis on integrating children's literature across the curriculum." A search on the blog for "economics" pulls up about a dozen specific lesson plans for teaching economics with literature.
Rutgers University, Economics and Children. EconKids Home. "This website provides teachers, parents and volunteers with ideas for using children's literature to introduce economic concepts to children." See links on the homepage for "Top 5 books by concept", "Book of the month", "New books", "Research", "Content Standards" about economics by state, and "Text-to-World connections".

Helpful links to sites that promote economic and financial literacy for students

Books for students that help illustrate economic concepts:

Bibliography of Children's Books that Cover Economic Concepts. This exhaustive list is from the Rutgers EconKids site, on the "Top 5 books" page.
Books for Older Students. This list is attached at the bottom of this page. There are two sections: fiction and non-fiction for middle school students, and fiction and non-fiction for high school students.

Books and sites for teachers about how to integrate the study of economics:

Beyond Economic Growth; An Introduction to Sustainable Development, by Tayana Soubbotina. Published by the World Bank in 2004. Written for students and teachers
Children in the Marketplace; Lesson Plans in Economics for Grades 3 and 4, by Joint Council on Economic Education, 2005.
Council for Economic Education: Your Action Plan for Teaching Economics and Personal Finance in High School. Website.
Economics in Action; 14 Greatest Hits for Teaching High School Economics, by Jane S. Lopus. Published in 2003 by the National Council of Teachers of English. Includes simulations, role-playing activities, and classroom demonstrations.
Focus: Grades 3-5 Economics, by Barbara J. Flowers and Penny Kugler, et al. Published by the National Council on Economic Education, 2005.
Focus... A series of books by Council on Economic Education. Includes such titles as Economics in U.S. History, Economics in Civics and Government, Globalization, Middle School Economics, and more.
The Great Economic Mysteries Book; A Guide to Teaching Economic Reasoning for either grades 4-8 or 9-12. By Mark C. Schug and Richard D. Western, published in 2005 by the National Council on Economic Education.
Learning, Earning and Investing, for middle school or high school, by Jean Caldwell, James E. Davis, and Suzanne M. Gallagher. Published in 2005 by the National Council on Economic Education. Site also includes lessons for grades 4-5.
Mathematics and Economics, series of books and materials for different grade levels.
Pint-size Economics; Economics and Personal Finance for Kids, by the Indiana Council for Economic Education. Site includes a variety of other useful tools and ideas as well (including economics posters). See also, Half-Pint Economics for Kids for grades K-3.
Play Dough Economics, by the National Council on Economic Education, published in 2005.
Teaching the Ethical Foundations of Economics, by Jonathan B. Wight, et al. Published in 2007 by the National Council on Economic Education.
Teaching Economics Through Children's Literature in the Primary Grades, by Yana V. Rodgers, Shelby Hawthorne, and Ronald C. Wheeler. Published in 2007 by the International Reading Association.
Teaching Economics Using Children's Literature, by Maryann Foltz and Suellen Reed. Published in 2006 by the National Council on Economic Education.
Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics. Website; contains links to many, many lessons.

Generally useful teachers' sites regarding the teaching of economics.

Council for Economic Education, Resources. Lots of lesson plans and ideas.
Council for Economic Education, lesson plans by grade level.
EconEdLink - one of the best sites available for resources and lessons.
Foundation for Teaching Economics, Teacher Resources page. Includes lessons, economic barometer, teacher programs, student programs, and lots more.
Powell Center for Economic Literacy. This website is a resource for teachers and students across the country, with lesson plans, curricula, and information on learning opportunities in the field of economics.

From The Powell Center - Ump's Fwat. "A humorous, metaphorical story that was written and illustrated to help people of all ages understand basic economic principles."

Take Charge America Education Center. Lesson plans for grades 1-5.
Thinkfinity.org. Search for "economics" and narrow results by grade level.

DCOwen	Latest page update: made by DCOwen , Jul 10 2010, 9:07 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Edited by DCOwen view changes - complete history)
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