Free Enterprise & Property Rights Lesson

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Introduction to Economics Free Enterprise & Property Rights Goals & Objectives Students will analyze the characteristics of a market economy Students will observe how property rights affect behavior Students will compare how resources are used when property rights are clearly defined and when they are not Students will explain the basic principles of the U.S. free enterprise system Students will identify the role of the consumer in the U.S. free enterprise system Students will describe the role of the government in the U.S. free enterprise system California State Content Standards 12.1.4 Evaluate the role of private property as an incentive in conserving and improving scarce resources, including renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. 12.1.5 Analyze the role of a market economy in establishing and preserving political and personal liberty (e.g., through the works of Adam Smith). 12.2.3 Explain the roles of property rights, competition, and profit in a market economy. Common Core Literacy Standards CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media

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Transcript of Free Enterprise & Property Rights Lesson

Introduction to Economics Free Enterprise & Property RightsGoals & Objectives Students will analyze the characteristics of a market economy Students will observe how property rights affect behavior Students will compare how resources are used when property rights are clearly defined and when they are not Students will explain the basic principles of the U.S. free enterprise system Students will identify the role of the consumer in the U.S. free enterprise system Students will describe the role of the government in the U.S. free enterprise system

California State Content Standards 12.1.4 Evaluate the role of private property as an incentive in conserving and improving scarce resources, including renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. 12.1.5 Analyze the role of a market economy in establishing and preserving political and personal liberty (e.g., through the works of Adam Smith).12.2.3 Explain the roles of property rights, competition, and profit in a market economy.

Common Core Literacy StandardsCCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.Lesson Introduction (Anticipatory Set/Hook/Accessing Prior Knowledge) Time:Ill engage the class in a short discussion about what they think The Land of Opportunity means and to share any examples of people they know whove started their own business and their reasons for doing so. Ill also ask them to think of any famous examples of someone taking a small idea and creating an empire.

Vocabulary (Content Language Development) Time: The vocabulary terms will be written into PowerPoint slides which will be projected on the screen so all students can see them. I will also verbally explain their definitions and use some examples to help students more clearly understand the concepts. The students will write the vocabulary terms and formal/simplified definitions and examples in their notes. Terms include: profit motive, open opportunity, private property rights, free contract, voluntary exchange, competition, interest group, public disclosure laws, and public interest

Content Delivery (Method of Instruction) Time:I will give a brief PowerPoint lecture on the topic of the basic principles of free enterprise and the key characteristics that make up free enterprise. I will also explain the consumers role in free enterprise as well as the governments role through public disclosure laws and public interest.I will go over vocabulary as it arises within the lecture and will elaborate on all vocabulary and concepts with several real world examples in order to connect it with the students lives. I will also ask comprehension questions throughout the lecture in order to monitor student progress.

From there I will begin an activity to demonstrate property rights in a market economy. I will review the characteristics of a market economy (which the students have previously learned) and ask the students to identify for me what makes a market economy different from a command economy like Cuba. Then I will ask for 10 students to volunteer to get up to help participate in the activity and instruct the rest of the students to pay close attention to their behavior during the activity and to make any pertinent notes. I will explain that in round 1 I will scatter 50 paper clips which will represent natural resources such as fish, trees, or whales. In the first 30 seconds, students will receive 1 point per paper clip they pick up. In the second 30 seconds they will receive 2 points per paper clip they pick up.

After round 1 is finished I will tally up their points. In round 2, only 9 students will be needed to participate in the activity. I will ask each student to stand in one of the boxes outlined in tape on the ground. I will explain that I am going to scatter the paper clips again, only this time the students are only allowed to gather the paper clips that fall within the boundaries of their box. Any paper clips that fall directly on boundary lines or outside of the clearly defined boundary lines are fair game for any student to pick up. The same rule applies for the first 30 seconds they will receive 1 point per paper clip and in the second 30 seconds they will receive 2 points per paper clip. I will tally their points once the round is over and ask the students to sit back down.

Finally, I will display some follow-up questions based on the activity on the PowerPoint and ask all the students to record their responses as Assignment #1 for their unit packet. Once they are finished recording their answers, we can discuss them as a whole class.

Student Engagement (Critical Thinking & Student Activities) Time:The students will take notes during the lecture, making sure to record examples and vocabulary. In addition, they will respond to any comprehension questions given during the lecture. The 10 student volunteers will participate in the property rights activity while the rest of the students will observe how the 10 students behave in the activity and will jot down any pertinent notes about what they do. Once the activity is over, all the students will answer some follow-up questions and we will discuss their responses as a class.

Lesson Closure Time:To wrap up the lesson I will explain that people have different incentives when property rights are clearly defined and that resources are used in a manner most valued by society when there are property rights. Ill also explain that people have incentives to act in their self-interest, which usually works to societys benefit. However, when property rights are not clearly defined, the government may pass laws that decide who has the right to the property.

Assessments (Formative & Summative)Student responses during discussion/question portions will serve as an informal formative/progress monitoring assessment. I will also be roaming around the room to informally assess student responses to their activity; this will also serve as a progress monitoring assessment.

Accommodations for English Learners, Striving Readers and Students with Special NeedsThese students will be provided with a printed copy of the lecture notes and a graphic organizer of the vocabulary.

Resources (Books, Websites, Handouts, Materials)Ch. 3 Sect. 1 of Prentice Hall Economics: Principles in Action, paper clips, PowerPoint