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Collection
Economics in Children's Literature

Children are never too young to start learning basic economic concepts such as scarcity, saving, and spending. Discover how this collection of popular picture books can give your classroom an instant economic boost, introducing new vocabulary and concepts while developing reading comprehension and listening and speaking skills.

Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Teach Specialization using Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle

In this economics lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that reinforces the concepts of specialists/entrepreneurs, workers, capital resources, and products. 
Key Concepts: Entrepreneurship, Productive Resources, Specialization
30 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Curious George Economics

Use the lovable character Curious George to capture student attention while teaching about personal finance and economics.
Key Concepts: Goods and Services, Productive Resources, Saving…
Lesson

Grades K-2

Open for Business

In this economics lesson, students will read a popular children's book to learn about entrepreneurship.
Key Concepts: Entrepreneurs, Goods and Services, Risk and Return
45 mins
Lesson

Grades 3-5

Beatrice's Goat

This lesson from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis' EconLowdown site teaches students what it means to save and...
Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Saving
60 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

A Chair for My Mother

In the story, A Chair for My Mother, a little girl and her family save money in a jar to...
Key Concepts: Budgeting, Goods and Services
Lesson

Grades K-2

Bunny Money

In this lesson, students listen to the story of Ruby and Max, two bunnies that go shopping and make many...
Key Concepts: Consumers, Goods and Services, Saving
45 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Uncle Jed's Barbershop

Students listen to the book Uncle Jed's Barbershop, about an African American barber who, despite significant setbacks, saves enough money...
Key Concepts: Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Entrepreneurship, Saving
45 - 60 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Specialists Light Up Our Lives!

Peppe and his family moved to America to pursue the American dream. His mother has passed away, his father is...
Key Concepts: Goods and Services, Specialization, Trade, Exchange and Interdependence
Lesson

Grades K-2, 3-5

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

In the story, Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday, Alexander receives a dollar from his grandparents that he...
Key Concepts: Consumers, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Spend
Lesson

Grades 6-8

"The Giver": Jonas Makes a Choice

Jonas, a twelve-year old, lives in a seemingly perfect futuristic world. His community protects him from all harm and in...
Key Concepts: Choice, Credit, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis…
Lesson

Grades K-2

A New Coat for Anna - Barter and Trade

By reading the book "A New Coat for Anna" students will learn about resources and trade/bartering through a young girl,...
Key Concepts: Barter, Money, Resources
45 mins
Lesson

Grades K-2

The Mitten

This is a folktale retold by Jan Brett about a little boy whose grandmother knits him a pair of snow...
Key Concepts: Scarcity
30 mins
Lesson

Activity