Browse lesson plans, videos, activities, and more by grade level

Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: 'Accordion' Families Expand for Boomerang Kids, 'Parasite Singles' to Move Home

In her new book, "The Accordion Family," sociologist Katherine Newman examines why more young adults in the world's wealthiest countries...

Key Concepts: Budgeting, Business Cycles, Division of Labor/Specialization…

Video

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Grades 9-12

The Economics of Pro Sports: Why are the Cowboys and Yankees so Valuable?

This lesson investigates the value of sports franchises in the various professional sports leagues. Students will investigate the revenues and...

Key Concepts: Credit, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Incentive…

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: New Consumer Watchdog Richard Cordray Makes First Appearance on Capitol Hill

Richard Cordray, the new federal consumer watchdog, visited Capitol Hill Tuesday and defended the Obama administration's agenda to skeptical Republicans....

Key Concepts: Economic Institutions, Roles of Government

Video

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Grades 9-12

Understanding a Balance Sheet

A balance sheet shows the assets, liabilities, and net worth for a business on a given day. This business document...

Key Concepts: Budgeting, Decision Making/Cost-Benefit Analysis, Insurance

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Watchdog-in-Chief Richard Cordray Outlines Plan to Clean Up Consumer Lending

Economics correspondent Paul Solman examines the controversial appointment of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Paul quizzes...

Key Concepts: Budgeting, Consumers, Credit…

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Taxes: How High Is Too High?

Economics correspondent Paul Solman explores the question of just how high U.S. tax rates should or shouldn't be and examines...

Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Budget Deficits and Public Debt, Financial Investments…

Video

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Grades 9-12

A Penny Saved

In this economics lesson, students will read and discuss the comic book, “A Penny Saved".

Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Credit, Economic Institutions…

Lesson

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Grades 6-8, 9-12

The Columbian Exchange

In this lesson, students learn that the Columbian Exchange resulted in an enormous exchange of goods, resources, and institutions between...

Key Concepts: Economic Development, Goods and Services, Specialization…

60 mins

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: What Do Tax Rates' Ups and Downs Mean for Economic Growth?

Do higher tax rates slow economic growth? As part of his reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, economics correspondent...

Key Concepts: Balance of Trade and Balance of Payments, Economic Incentives, Roles of Government

Video

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Why Are Conservatives Happier Than Liberals?

How do feelings about ideology and economic inequality affect a person's happiness? As part of his reporting of Making Sen$e...

Key Concepts: Distribution of Income, Economic Systems, Income Distribution…

Video

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Grades 9-12

Loan Amortization - Mortgage

How to amortize a loan using an Excel spreadsheet.

Key Concepts: Budgeting, Credit, Financial Planning…

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

You've Won The Lottery! Now What?

Friday the 13th was your lucky day. You won the lottery! The lottery officials have given you a choice. You...

Key Concepts: Credit

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

LeBron James, The Cavaliers, and Derived Demand

PBS video author Paul Solman reports that LeBron James has added $200 million in value to the city of Cleveland...

Key Concepts: Demand, Division of Labor/Specialization

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: For Undocumented Workers, It's Not-so-Sweet Home Alabama

The controversial Alabama immigration law, know as HB 56, instructs employers to check a worker's immigration status with the government's...

Key Concepts: Division of Labor/Specialization, Employment and Unemployment, Goods and Services…

Video

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Grades 9-12

Avatar, King of the Box Office?

On January 26, 2010, the film Avatar officially topped Titanic as the top-grossing film of all-time at the box office....

Key Concepts: Fiscal Policy, Real vs. Nominal

Lesson

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Grades 9-12

Making Sen$e with Paul Solman: Does U.S. Economic Inequality Have a Good Side?

A new Congressional Budget Office analysis supports the idea that income inequality has grown considerably over the past few decades....

Key Concepts: Distribution of Income, Economic Incentives, Economic Institutions…

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