Economic Systems & the Zombie Apocalypse Economy (Distance Learning!)

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From the beginning, economics has the potential to change students’ lives. Seriously. Introducing the way economists think, and the potential economics has for helping students understand the world around them blows my mind every year. I especially love the foundations of economics unit because it’sPrice $30.00Original Price $33.50Save $3.50
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“Economics is the most valuable class of my high school career,” a student wrote to me last semester. Another student noted that “Your teaching strategy is easy to follow and makes everything easier to understand” while another commented that “I really appreciate that you assigned assignments wherePrice $118.00Original Price $132.50Save $14.50
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Are you teaching Economics for the first time and feeling way over your head? Have you taught it a few times, but feel like you're ready to take your lessons to the next level? This Semester Course Bundle is yours. If I had to sum up my teaching style and the way my units are structured, I would refPrice $135.00Original Price $170.00Save $35.00
Description
Infusing economics lessons with creativity, critical thinking, and straight up fun is one of my favorite things to do. Every year my students come alive as they imagine a scenario where the zombie apocalypse has finally happened, and out of this ruin they are tasked with building a new economy. I laugh walking around listening to my students figure out how to build infrastructure that will protect them from the zombies while figuring out how to not let their new cities run out of scarce resources. This lesson is honestly one of my favorites! And it’s not just me- students come back year after year remembering this lesson and that warms my teacher heart.
This lesson will teach your students about the main economic goals and types of economies in an interactive lecture. Along with lecture notes, I've included think-pair-shares and critical thinking opportunities throughout the lesson. Then students will create their own post-apocalyptic economies by working in small groups to answer a series of questions divided by topic. Finally, they will trade with another group’s economy to learn about the benefits of trade. Throughout this activity, students will recall and apply the foundational concepts of economics, including factors of production, incentives, types of economies, the production possibilities frontier, and more!
The best part is that you can use this entire lesson for distance or digital learning! All resources (except the lesson plan and Zombie Economy instructions) come in a printable PDF version AND a Google Slides version. Students just make a copy and they can use all the included resources! There's also tips on how to make the Zombie Economy activity virtual).
This resource is also a part of this discounted bundle: Foundations & Fundamentals of Economics Unit Bundle
What to Expect:
- 1 Written Warm Up
- 1 Essential Question
- An Engaging Lecture with Thinking Activities & Think-Pair-Shares throughout (PPT, PDF, Google Slides)
- Student Fill In Notes for the Lecture including Warm Up (PDF, Google Slides)
- Zombie Apocalypse Economy Activity (PDF)
- Suggested lesson plan (PDF)
*PPT is editable; student notes & activities are not
To reduce tech issues, please be sure to have the most recent free version of Adobe Reader downloaded. More help linked here.
Want to see my style of lectures before you buy? Check out this freebie: Globalization Economics Lesson
I usually teach this lesson in one 90-minute class period.
Note: all Google Drive versions appear in the lesson plans of each individual lesson. As of right now, there is no way to copy a folder in Google so for right now you will need to open the lesson plan and make a copy of each digital resource using the provided links and instructions.
Materials Needed:
- Class set of included worksheets
You might enjoy:
- Tragedy of the Commons & Command Economies Lesson
- 7 Principles of Economics Lesson
- Production Possibilities Frontier Economics Lesson
- Market & Mixed Economies & the Wealth of Nations Economics Lesson
- Factors of Production Economics Lesson
For freebies, teaching tips, and more, check out my blog and sign up for my weekly newsletter! When you sign up, your first email will come with FREE supply and demand warm ups!