To increase awareness and launch a discussion of consumerism, class members view What Would It Look Like, a 25 minute film of images that capture the global effects of the consumption of goods. Viewers make a list of the images that...

What kinds of foods include corn? Corn syrup? Start by viewing a clip of Food Inc. with your middle or high schoolers. Then, study a list of corn-derived ingredients, encouraging your class to see how many food products contain corn. A...

Is, as Walt Whitman contends, America’s “almost maniacal appetite for wealth,” the heart of the American dream? Class members grapple with this question as they read David Brooks’ article “The Commercial Republic,” and quotes that...

The New York Times offers of two articles and two summaries for learners to consider. They read each article and then post a blog response to each of the seven related questions. The topic of the articles asks the question; Is TV...

Have your upper graders watch the documentary, "The Persuaders" as they explore how advertisers try to gain potential customers. The video is followed by a discussion and close examination of new marketing trends and strategies.

Use this versatile, cross-curricular graphic organizer to demonstrate the power of words in advertising. Scholars analyze print advertisements, identifying parts of the ad that stand out. This could include color, celebrity endorsement,...

What are the "hidden" costs of owning a car such as the license tags, gas, and maintenance? High schoolers will learn the reasons car owners have to pay the car tax to keep cars registered. They will also discover the expense of...

High schoolers will listen as the teacher describes how car insurance works. They discuss the three monetary factors (amount of coverage, deductible, and premium). Students discuss the various types of coverage. as well as the total costs.

Discuss various places to obtain a loan. Your class will determine the principal, interest, and terms of a loan. They will also compute the monthly payments of loans, including the interest. They contact three lending institutions to...

Discuss things to consider when purchasing a car with high schoolers. They will use newspaper ads to locate a car in their price range. Then they use a "Loan Calculation Chart" to estimate monthly payments of their car. In the end, they...

Students simulate working on an assembly line in a shared culture. In this consumerism instructional activity, students participate in a lecture and note-taking session before working on a simulated assembly line. They work in a timed...

Students view a television program that traces the use of the assembly line in mass production and the subsequent conflict between workers' rights and management. They analyze and discuss the portrayal of the American worker over time...

Young scholars explore percentages by participating in a consumer math activity. In this economics lesson, students read different math scenarios and identify the price of an item after a special discount has been given. Young scholars...

Young scholars discuss auto accidents and ways to avoid them. They listen as the teacher lectures about what to do in case of an accident. Students discuss traffic violations and reasons to be aware of them. They generate a list of...