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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

The economics of recycling

http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM218&page=teacher

A lesson plan for grades 10–12 Social Studies

Provider: National Council on Economic Education


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In this EconEdLink lesson, students learn about recycling rates in Japan and the United States, specifically examining the disposal of large appliances and questions of who bears the cost of the recycling. They then create hypothetical situations in which they predict how consumers would respond if the government were to change incentives for recycling and also to forecast the effect these incentives might have on the supply and demand for a good.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 10

  • Goal 8: The learner will analyze features of the economic system of the United States.
    • Objective 8.03: Explain the circular flow of economic activities and how interactions determine the prices of goods and services.
    • Objective 8.04: Illustrate how supply and demand affects prices.
  • Goal 9: The learner will analyze factors influencing the United States economy.
    • Objective 9.04: Assess how current events impact decisions made by consumers, producers, and government policy makers.
    • Objective 9.08: Analyze the influence of environmental factors, economic conditions, and policy decisions on individual economic activities.

Grade 11–12 — Economics

  • Goal 1: The learner will demonstrate the role of economic choices within a market economy.
    • Objective 1.03: Identify and explain broad economic and social goals.
    • Objective 1.06: Describe consumer response to positive and negative incentives.
  • Goal 2: The learner will analyze the role that supply and demand, prices, and profits play in determining production and distribution in a market economy.
    • Objective 2.01: Define supply and demand and identify factors that cause changes in market supply and demand.