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Series Details

Subjects:
Social Studies
Grade Levels:
Elementary, Middle School
Program Length:
Fifteen 20-minute lessons
Record Rights:
Perpetuity, Available for loan or purchase
Producer/Distributor:
AIT

Air Dates

Air One
Available for loan, purchase, or online only.

Related Series

Econ and Me

Economics

Professional
Development

The Economics Classroom

Social Studies in Action: A Methodology Workshop for K-5

Social Studies in Action: A Teaching Practices Library for K-12

Web Resources

EcEdWeb
This site from the University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Economic Education provides teachers with lesson plans, curriculum support, and other resources for teaching economics.

EdconEdLink
This site from the National Council on Economic Education includes lesson plans, web links, data links, and resources to examine current economics news.

Kids Bank
This site from Sovereign Bank explains the fundamentals of money and banking to children.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York
You'll find an downloadable journal for students to track the role of economics in their everyday lives as well as links to additional resources.

Peanuts and Crackerjacks
Batter Up! Learn more about the economics of pro sports at this interactive game for kids from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

New England Economic Adventure
This site from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, inspired by New England's rich history, is designed to engage the public in understanding the phenomenon of economic growth, how it occurs, and why it is important. You'll find games and activities, economic terms, an overview of New England's economic history, a New England economic timeline, and a variety of teacher resources including lesson plans, games, and more.

Department of the Treasury For Kids
You'll find resources for kids from the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where you can learn more about money and the history of money in the U.S.

TRADE-OFFS

Each program in this series presents a story about a fundamental economic principle. The dramatic storyline is reinforced by an animated segment which illustrates the message conveyed in the story. The Trade-Offs approach is to help students think their way through personal problems involving economics.

Episodes

1.CHOICE
Gordon's big choice is how to use his time -- a scarce commodity on an afternoon when he is invited to two different events. Economic theme: opportunity cost (19:31 min.)

2.MALCOLM DECIDES
Malcolm employs a decision-making process concerning how to use his certificate. The steps include: defining the problem, listing alternatives, stating criteria, evaluating alternatives, and making the decision. Economic theme: personal decision-making (19:26 min.)

3.WE DECIDE
A scarcity of school bicycle racks prompts a class to think of several ways the problem might be solved and then analyze each alternative. Economic theme: social decision-making (19:39 min.)

4.GIVE AND TAKE
Two boys learn that all-or-nothing choices can be avoided, and that through trade-offs they can give up some of one thing to get some of another thing. Economic theme: trade-offs among goals (19:34 min.)

5.LESS AND MORE
Ricky increases the productivity of the family's delicatessen. While the new efficiency helps raise wages and hold down prices, one waitress has to change jobs and the security of the elderly cook is is threatened. Economic theme: increasing productivity (19:46 min.)

6.WORKING TOGETHER
Three youths realize they can save time if they specialize and work together. They also discover some disadvantages of specialization. Economic theme: specialization and the division of labor (19:24 min.)

7.DOES IT PAY?
Bobby figures that it will take seven more weeks of hard work to earn the remaining $100 he needs to buy a car. Could he earn the money fast er if he bought a new power mower? Economic theme: investment in capital goods (19:39 min.)

8.LEARNING AND EARNING
To have a chance at a job, Judy takes a training course. Eventually, the investment pays off. Andrea, who takes the same course, is not so fortunate. Economic theme: investment in human capital (19:00 min. )

9.WHY MONEY?
Christina learns that money is much more convenient than trading, and that checks can be used as money. Economic theme: voluntary exchange (19:54 min.)

10.TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY
Sharon and her friends learn how price and other factors such as advertising affect market demand. Economic theme: buyers and market demand (19:42 min.)

11.TO SELL OR NOT TO SELL
Cathy weighs the costs and benefits of two different tasks. Economic theme: sellers and market demand (19:47 min.)

12.AT WHAT PRICE?
Jennifer and Judy discover that when sale prices are set too low, a shortage develops. Economic theme: market clearing prices (19:25 min.)

13.HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN?
How could a music craze lead to an increase in the supply of hamburgers? Such riddles can be unraveled through an understanding of the interdependence of prices in a market system. Economic theme: interdependence of market prices (19:34 min.)

14.INNOCENT BYSTANDERS
Jerry's Friday night rock band practice throws his sister and their neighbor into an uproar. Who should pay for a place for the band to practice? Economic theme: market intervention: reducing indirect cost . (19:30 min.)

15.HELPING OUT
How can the town council ensure that all dogs get their rabies shots? Should town funds be used to provide the shots? Economic theme: market intervention: increasing indirect benefits (18:48 min.)

ITV Database

You can search the Instructional Television Database by subject and grade level. For each series you will find detailed episode descriptions, schedules, related series, and links to related web resources. For many series you will also find lesson plans and streaming video. You can also find programming information in the 2007-2008 Knowledge Network Program Guide. This guide is in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access it.

Find an ITV Program

Video On Demand

You can access selected series on the web via videostreaming. Some of the series are password protected. Contact the Knowledge Network for the password for your school or SAU. Home schools can also be issued a password. You will need RealPlayer to access these online videos. Recording Online Videos: If you are using the latest version of RealPlayer, you can also download videos to your RealPlayer Library.
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