Economics · Week 13 · Government, the Macroeconomy, and Global Trade
What Government Does in Markets
Weighing arguments for and against government roles in markets from several economic perspectives and practicing a fair summary of a view one does not hold.
- Students will
- Students identify five roles government plays in a market economy and weigh benefits against factors that may make costs outweigh benefits, using several economic perspectives.
- SEL skill
- Summarize a view you do not hold fairly before weighing it
- What it looks like
- Students practice summarizing a view they do not hold fairly and accurately before responding to it.
- Content focus
- What government does in markets
- Format
- Structured discussion
Responsible decision-making
Social awareness means understanding the perspectives of others, including people whose backgrounds and views differ from yours, and treating them with empathy and respect. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- 12.3.1: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 12: Principles of Economics (standard 12.3, item 1)
- 12.3.2: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 12: Principles of Economics (standard 12.3, item 2)
- CA HSS Analysis Skill: HREP3 Evaluate major debates among historians about alternative interpretations of the past. (Historical Research, Evidence, and Point of View)
- C3 Framework (national): D2.Eco.6.9-12 Generate possible explanations for a government role in markets when markets work inefficiently.
- Literacy in history: RH.11-12.6 Compare the point of view of two or more authors on the same or related topics.
Fits these textbook chapters
- Econ Alive! The Power to Choose, Chapter 11: Government and the Economy
- Economics, Chapter 3: The American Free Enterprise System
- Economics, Chapter 7: Market Structures
- Economics, Chapter 13: Economic Instability
- Economics, Chapter 14: Taxes and Government Spending
- Economics, Chapter 15: Fiscal Policy
- Economics: Principles in Action, Chapter 3: American Free Enterprise
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Economics
- The Cost of Every Choice Responsible decision-makingCalculating opportunity cost and marginal benefit, then using the same reasoning to weigh one real decision about how to spend an afternoon.
- Markets and Freedom Responsible decision-makingReading Adam Smith alongside economists who stress the limits of markets and practicing how to summarize a view fairly before responding to it.
- When Prices Are Capped Responsible decision-makingExamining the intended and unintended effects of price controls such as rent control through the views of several economists, and pausing to separate feelings from evidence.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.