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

The economics of income which “wood” you choose?

http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=NN140&page=teacher

A lesson plan for Grades 9–12 Earth/Environmental Science and Economics

Provider: National Council on Economic Education

About this resource

Appropriate grades
9–12
Subjects
social studies (economics)
Provider
National Council on Economic Education

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A key turning point in a nation's economic development is when it starts to use its resources for long-term versus short-term purposes. An example of a natural resource is a tree: should people use wood for cooking food or building homes? Simpler societies tend to use wood predominantly as a fuel source (an output), whereas more advanced economies use wood principally as a capital good (an input) with which to build durable social infrastructure, e.g., houses, furniture, books, boats, signs, etc. The same principle applies to all types of a nation's resources (natural, human, educational, scientific, technological, financial, political, et al.) — sustainable economic growth depends on implementing a long term vision of resources as inputs for producing outputs as efficiently as possible.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 10 — Economics and Civics

  • Goal 7: The learner will investigate how and why individuals and groups make economic choices.
    • Objective 7.01: Describe the basic factors of production such as land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurial skills and their impact on economic activities.
    • Objective 7.05: Explain the impact of investment on human, capital, productive, and natural resources.

Grades 11–12 — Economics

  • Goal 1: The learner will demonstrate the role of economic choices within a market economy.
    • Objective 1.01: Define the categories of productive resources and cite examples of each.

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grades 9–12

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.02: Select and use appropriate technology tools to efficiently collect, analyze, and display data.
  • Goal 3SS — Social Studies: The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.
    • Objective 3SS.03: Use electronic resources for research.
    • Objective 3SS.04: Select and use technological tools for class assignments, projects, and presentations.

Science (2005)

Grades 9–12 — Earth/Environmental Science

  • Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.
    • Objective 1.06: Identify and evaluate a range of possible solutions to earth and environmental issues at the local, national, and global level including considerations of:
      • Interdependent human and natural systems.
      • Diverse perspectives.
      • Short and long range impacts.
      • Economic development, environmental quality and sustainability.
      • Opportunities for and consequences of personal decisions.
      • Risks and benefits of technological advances.
  • Goal 2: The learner will build an understanding of lithospheric materials, tectonic processes, and the human and environmental impacts of natural and human-induced changes in the lithosphere.
    • Objective 2.07: Analyze the sources and impacts of society's use of energy.
      • Renewable and non-renewable sources.
      • The impact of human choices on Earth and its systems.