I am always looking for new ways to make Social Studies more exciting and meaningful, and I am SO excited about my latest creation! Unit One in our Reading Street curriculum focuses on economics, so we will be starting the year with lots of business-minded, money-savvy lessons! I am planning on using Lemonade Economics: Business for Kiddos with my Economy 101 resources to spice up a really bare bones Social Studies curriculum. This project took me close to a MONTH. Ah!
Honestly though. In today’s world, there’s no denying it. We
need business-minded students to matriculate into a fast-paced global
economy. This supplemental file is meant to enhance your Social Studies
curriculum by allowing your students to experience what it’s like to
own and operate a (lemonade) business through virtual simulations and
in-class explorations. You can take this as far as you’d like. It
includes simple and complex vocabulary, so that you can take your
students as deep as you want to go… or you can keep it as simple as
you want. The business plan template is set up so that you can choose
the pages you want to use. Don’t feel like you have to use it all! (I probably won’t this year, but I like having options, and I like knowing that I could group kids and take lots of different approaches with this file.) If you are looking for something really scripted, this is not it. I left the file really open for teachers to be able to use it as they see fit… and to allow myself to make professional decisions based on my students and time constraints as well. 🙂
Terms Included: product name, business name, employees, recipe, sales
pitch, branding, budget, packaging, quality control, safety, security,
acquisitions, accounting, competition, distribution, green choices,
weather, financing, money box, focus groups, supplies, global reach,
Internet, location, marketing, merger, partnerships, media attention,
payment terms, press release, regulations, quality control, hours of
operation, and market research.
I realize that there are some HEAVY terms, but they are not any heavier than “metacognition” or “schema” or “inference” when you think about it, and we use them all of the time with kids. We use them in context… with lots of support… and that’s exactly why I’ve decided to include so many in this bundle. They will be used in context… in simulations… and that helps students OWN the words and use them. (I’ve included a version of Economics Star for extra vocabulary practice too!) I am so excited to cultivate little entrepreneurs this year… and drink some yummy lemonade too!
Of course, because I am SO appreciative of you all… I’m putting this file on sale through tomorrow.
You can snag it for 20% off between now and then. Have a wonderful weekend, friends! Now that I’m finished with my crazy-hectic case study, I can focus on wrapping up another unit that I have up my sleeves. Hopefully I’ll have another goodie to share this weekend! I am SO excited for next year!
This unit looks absolutely amazing! I can't wait to go get it!!!
Thanks a million!!! 🙂
I have been searching all over for social studies material after I learned two days ago that I wil be teaching SS to 4th grade. Your unit looks awesome!
Thanks, and good luck!!! 🙂 Social Studies is one of my favorites… second only to Language Arts!
What an awesome unit! You did a fabulous job with this!
Primary Inspired
Thanks, Brenda! 🙂 I appreciate it!
I am so glad to come across a Reading Streets related post because I was a pilot teacher for the program last year and our whole school is piloting for the district this year. I will have to keep a close eye out for other RS suggestions from you! I am already mapping out soc & science curriculum to match up with the program where possible!
I'll definitely have to check in with you too! Aligning the two subjects just makes sense… and it makes everything so much easier! 🙂
I should add that this will only be my second year with RS, so I am still kind of learning as I go. 🙂
Wow, Amanda! This looks great! I don't teach economics, but I might need to do a little something just so I can snag this. Love it!
Eileen, you are the sweetest lady ever. 🙂 Seriously. I just adore you!
Amanda…I hear you on the "bare bones" in 3rd grade social studies. Coming from 4th (Ohio History and I loved it!) to 3rd has been a bit of a let down. I am looking forward to purchasing your Economics 101 and Lemonade Economics unit. Will also be incorporating Social Studies with Language Arts (and we also use Reading Street) so this is perfect!
Thanks,
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy! I hope we get a chance to officially meet this year! 🙂 I hope you like third grade as much as you enjoyed fourth grade.
Awesome. Just awesome! Love this!
Thanks, Sarah! It's such a HUGE compliment coming from YOU. Love your ideas and creativity! 🙂
So helpful! What an incredible idea! The kids will love it.
Thank you so much! I hope your kiddos enjoy the activities! 🙂
I awarded you the One Lovely Blog Award! Stop by my blog to accept it!
http://www.psychedtobeinsecond.blogspot.com
Thanks! Your blog is so cute! 🙂
I absolutely love all of you stuff. I'm teaching reading next year after years in math and science, so your materials are super useful!
The Science Penguin
I am happy to hear that! 🙂 Good luck!!!
Wow. This not only looks fabulous, but is such a great idea!
Love it.
❤Dragonflies in First ❤
Thank you so much, Traci! 🙂
This will be sooooooooo great to help reinforce the concepts I teach for Open Court Unit 2: Starting a Business. Thanks for sharing!
I am your newest follower and just started my own blog.
Fancy Free in Fourth
I am so happy to hear that this resource will fit with your existing curriculum! I hope your kiddos enjoy it! I'm headed to check out your blog now! 🙂
This unit is perfect! I plan on teaching a economic and government unit next year. Using your Lemonade Economics will make it fun for my little kiddos! Thanks for the great activity.
Check out my new blog
Yay! I hope that your little kiddos enjoy it! 🙂