Semester long economics class/curriculum

[mlktwins]

Looking for recommendations for a semester long economics class for 11th or 12th graders?  At home with curriculum, on-line, other options (maybe DE if can be a spring or summer class).  All options are on the table :-).

I have read a lot of curriculum threads the past few years.  There doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion (that I've found) for Economics.

I have seen quite a few recommendations for Great Courses.  If you used Great Courses for economics, what output was expected?  Where is a good place to find topics for research papers, etc.

 

[Lori D.]

We did the TC Great Courses Timothy Taylor Economics video series. I had DSs practice note-taking from a lecture for this one, and created a short quiz for each lecture, and then had them study from their notes before taking each quiz. I also included our short Personal Finance program (videos + workbook) in with the TC Economics and called it good. No research or papers. No projects.

So, not much output -- but the Economics was more of a box-checking course for us, as we wanted to spend more of our time to go deeper on other credits of higher interest and potential future help for their potential future college/careers.

The one downside of this Great Course series is that we did use the 3rd edition, which was done in 2005 or so -- right before the big economic downturn. A lot of national policy and world economics has developed and changed since then, so if that course has not been updated to reflect events from the past 15 years, you would either want to find a resource to cover that, or, go with a different resource that has been updated recently.

Edited October 22, 2021 by Lori D.

[Lori D.]

PS

I just noticed that Timothy Taylor has another Economics series: "Unexpected Economics". While it doesn't look like it is an update of recent events, it looks like this would be an extremely useful addition to his basic Micro- and Macro- Economics series (which I linked above). In this newer series, he talks about some really great stuff -- how different social, political, interpersonal relational, and medical issues impact Economics.

All of the topics in the list of lectures sound like they would promote some good discussion. So, maybe watch both and discuss as your credit??

[cintinative]

My plan is to use Glencoe's Economics Today and Tomorrow. It's low frills, but it will work as a spine.

I did *not* like Notgrass Economics.  There were several topics not covered (there is a thread here somewhere).

I like Jacob Clifford's videos (ACDC Econ) on youtube and I think some people on here have used his AP Econ packages. https://www.acdcecon.com/

There is a Crash Course Economics that also features Jacob Clifford in some videos.

I own but have not looked at The Cartoon Introduction to Economics, Volume 1: Microeconomics (blame this board for all of my impulse buys!).

If you are doing this in a group, there are a number of fun game/simulation things that you could do.   Some involved trading, etc.

Another option is to do one of the stock trading simulations like How the Market Works.  I didn't do this for my co-op class because it would have required input every week for many weeks, but if you have time and interested students, I think it could be interesting.

Incidentally, I found it kind of hard to find recent econ textbooks when I looked three years ago.

 

[8filltheheart]

I have had 2 complete Thinkwell's macro and micro courses (both are included in their econ course).  Both dd's CLEPped out of both courses quite easily after using Thinkwell. They also really liked the courses in general.

[UHP]

Have you looked at mru.org?

https://mru.org/learn

[Momto6inIN]

We used Great Courses with Tim Taylor too and it was our best course by far! Lots of opportunities for discussion. We watched together while they took notes, then they answered the questions in the guide book for output.

 

[mlktwins]

I never came back to thank you all!!!  I'm so sorry.  My dad takes a lot of my spare time.

Anyway, we are starting with the Tim Taylor series.  I bought the streaming version.  They are taking notes and answering the questions in the guidebook.

I will look for a more current supplement and may look at additional reading.  We will have discussions but no tests.  I may add a research paper (works for writing practice too :-).

Thanks again!!!