Sample Standard: The student understands economic systems with an emphasis on the United States
Grade Level: 5-6
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: One piece of paper per student with a picture of a magic lamp on it
Group Size: Any. Students will work individually and with a partner
Purpose: To introduce a unit or lesson on economic systems in the United States
Activity:
- Tell students to imagine that they have discovered a magic lamp with a genie inside. The genie has granted them three wishes, but they will only be granted if the students follow the proper guidelines when writing them.
- One must be a wish that will improve the economy nationwide.
- One must be a wish that will improve the economy in the state in which they reside.
- One must be a wish that will improve the economy in the community in which they live.
- Distribute the paper to each student with a picture of a magic lamp on it.
- Students will identify their three wishes and write them on the paper.
- Encourage them to be specific and write their wishes from a problem solving approach (e.g. I wish that new manufacturing companies would open to provide more jobs in our state).
- Have students share their wishes with other classmates either in small groups or with a partner.
- Optional: At the end of the unit or lesson, students may return to their wishes to see if they can identify ways in which these wishes could actually come true based on what they have learned regarding economic systems.
Adaptations for Above Level Students
- Have the students write what they could do to help make these wishes come true even if they did not have a magic genie.
Submitted by Adrianne Roggenbuck, a former teacher who is Director of Education with The Bob Pike Group.
