Economic History Teacher Resources

Learn the value of a dollar in this video, which explains the natural transition from the gold standard. Asking viewers if they would trust gold or the U.S. Government, Sal explains how the concept of wealth has shifted and adapted...

Thomas Malthus posed the most famous, and most easily disproven, theory about projected population growth in economic history. What did he get wrong—and why? Explore the Malthusian Theory of Population with a Crash Course video that...

Middle schoolers gain understanding of economic history of United States in twentieth century by examining role of Department of Commerce. Student groups each analyze one quarter of twentieth century by researching role of Department of...

Practice reading comprehension with this informational economics worksheet. Learners read a 2-page explanation of the beginnings of modern economics and how it plays a role in society. This reading discusses natural, human and capital...

Did you know that the first known toothbrush was made in China in the year 1600? Now we make 900 toothbrushes every minute. See how industrialization has made your toothbrush hygienic and fast enough to provide brushes to people all over...

Ever look out your window and wonder where the glass came from? Learn all about the components, machines, and process that we use now to create plate glass. An intriguing look at an industrialized process that was once a specialized craft.

First graders explore the history of the United States by analyzing images of shops and stores. In this economic history lesson, 1st graders view a PowerPoint presentation which shows photographs and drawings of establishments from 1877...

What do tulips, real estate, and stock in a pet store have in common? Find out what happens when products or services sell for much more than they are worth.

Students examine the life of Henry J. Heinz and how he began his career in food service. For this economic history instructional activity,students study how Henry J. Heinz started his business. Students will create and answer key...

Students examine the definition of inflation and its impact through history. They read and discuss online text, discuss examples of inflation, calculate the prices of various items for different years using an inflation rate of 3%, and...

Students discover the history of California by researching the Gold Rush.  In this economics history lesson, students participate in a class discussion about the book Boom Town, and the value of gold in California.  Students participate...

In this economics text dictation, 9th graders take dictation on a passage about economic theory, applied economics, and economic history.

Fifth graders explore how Africans built South Carolina into an economic giant. They write an expository paper explaining how Africans and their descendants built the rice empire along the Carolina coastline. They write a persuasive...

Students explain that while cities have unattractive features, the density of human life enables energy efficiency, mass transit, recycling, and other benefits which are difficult or impossible in rural areas. This is the fifth in an...

Help develop assertive, critical-thinking skills that enhance growth and change while teaching economics. In groups, select a topic from a list and then discuss the pros and cons of each topic. Debate why advertising is necessary to our...

After reading a series of fictitious letters that represent actual events during the time period, young historians craft a small town newsletter to explain the causes of the Great Depression.

Students practice critical thinking skills by defending their beliefs orally in a "hot seat". In addition, they communicate their feelings about an inssue in writing.

Students complete a diagram of the Montgomery bus that carried Rosa Parks into the history books. They read about Rosa Park's contributions to the Civil Rights movement. They role play Rosa Park's refusal to move to the back of the bus.

A presentation that truly covers the age of reason and enlightenment. Nearly every facet, event, and key player in 18th Century Age of Enlightenment is covered. The information is clear, easy to follow, and lends itself well to note...

Middle schoolers explore the concept and implications of extinction using the example of the Passenger Pigeon, once an extremely abundant species that was completely eliminated by humans.

Students examine and discuss the letters and speeches of Abraham Lincoln to determine his position on slavery. They participate in a panel discussion, and plan one of Lincoln's major political campaigns, creating ads and writing a...

Through reading a variety of news articles and other informational texts, learners discover the political turmoil and intense ethnic and religious tensions that envelop the Ivory Coast today. Class members research the historical...

Students develop an understanding of our planet as a system by designing a very-long-duration space mission in which the life-support system is patterned after that of earth.