LEARN NC

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

Goal 7

The learner will apply basic economic concepts and evaluate the use of economic resources within communities.

Objective 7.01

Distinguish between producers and consumers and identify ways people are both producers and consumers.

Resources aligned to this objective

To market we will go
In a market simulation, students will experience the roles of producers and consumers. The crafts in this market may be easily tied in with winter multicultural holidays (Christmas, Kwaanza, Hanukkah, Hmong New Year, Las Posadas, etc.) Students can purchase gifts for their family members at the market.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Social Studies and English Language Development)
By Ellen Douglas and Melissa Park.

Lesson plans on the web

Build your community
Students identify businesses that provide goods and services desirable to people in most communities. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Communities - What They Provide for Us
Students learn that a job is work people do to earn a living. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Costs and Benefits of 'The Three Little Pigs'
Students identify the costs and benefits of decision making as they look at positive and negative outcomes of different decisions. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Country mouse makes a decision!
Students will make a cost/benefit chart showing their understanding of the differences between costs and benefits, based on the story “Country Mouse and Town Mouse.” (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Every penny counts
Students will learn about choice as consumers. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Geographic groceries
Students explore the regions of their grocery store to see which foods hang out together and why. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 1–7 Social Studies)
Provider: National Geographic
Little Bill the producer!
After watching the video and completing an activity about producers, they produce their own books about Little Bill, Alice the Great, or Dr. King. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
The Little Red Hen
After reading the story, “The Little Red Hen,” students will categorize resources and be able to identify what future incentives the characters will have to help the little hen in her work. Students will also have the opportunity to explore bread making. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–5 Guidance and Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Mystery workers
Students review the concepts of goods, services, and producers. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–5 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Native American cultures across the U.S.
Students discuss the differences between five Native American tribes within the U.S. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities
A Pet for Beans from 'Jack and the Beanstalk'
Students learn about trading through a discussion of “Jack and the Beanstalk.” (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
The rhythm of rice production
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the importance of rice in Asian communities. They then learn about the "rhythm" of rice production as they are introduced to its growing cycle. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Geographic
Simple Simon meets a producer
Students learn what consumers and producers do. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
To market to market
Students will participate in a marketplace simulation by role-playing producers and consumers. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
Vincent van Gogh's "Flower Beds in Holland"
Students gain an understanding of opportunity costs. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
We are consumers and producers
Students learn how they and family members fulfill the roles of producers and consumers at home and in their community. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education
What is competition?
Students understand what businesses are and that a marketplace exists whenever buyers and sellers exchange goods and services. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–3 Social Studies)
Provider: National Council on Economic Education