Social Studies Staff DevelopmentAustin ISDAustin, TX

February 12, 2010

Laura EwingPresident/CEO

Texas Council on Economic Educationwww.economicstexas.org

Laura@economicstexas.org713-655-1650

Interesting hands-on lessons that develop critical thinking skills for students in Economics, Social Studies, Math, and Career/Technical Education classes.

• Economics• Personal Financial

Literacy• Investor Education• Student Activities• www.economicstexas.org

• Team Fees are covered by Fidelity Investments

• 10 week live simulation• Virtual $100,000• Trade stocks, bonds and mutual funds• Grades 4 – 12

• Stock Market Game• Economic Challenge • Virtual Economics• All Events are listed at

www.economicstexas.org

• FREE through 2/28/10• 79 publications, 1200

lessons• 28 publications• 500 economic terms

March 29-April 2Online competition

April 13 State Finals CapitolApril 26 National Finals Online

David Ricardo DivisionNational Semi-finals Online

Adam Smith DivisionNational Finals NYC

Adam Smith Division

San Antonio

Third or fourth week in June

1(b) Analyze the consequences of an economic decision made by an individual consumer

2(a) analyze the economic rights and responsibilities of businesses

2(b) Analyze the consequences of an economic decision made by a business

23(a) analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions

FocusWhat strategies peak student interest in learning?

What are the steps?

1.Choose a high interest mystery for your students.2.Have the entire class discuss the first story3.Display the Handy Dandy Guide on a wall chart4.Explain each of the principles first

1. Read the visual2. Discuss the Handy Dandy Guide3. Assign each person to be

responsible for arguing one or two clues.

4. The group decides on a solution and an explanation

1. Pp 55-56 Why Don’t All Students Study Hard at School?

2. Pp 29-30 The Case of the Pampered Chickens

3. Pp 37-38 Having Many Children or Few4. PP 31-32 The Credit Card Mystery5. Pp 39-40 Scarce Health Care in the

Inner Cities6. Pp 43-44 Why Would Mexico Want To

Trade With the U. S. and Canada?

ProcessWhy did we do these activities?Summarize the point of the lesson