How We Organize Ourselves; An inquiry into economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment

Central Idea: Economic decisions provide opportunities

Lines of Inquiry:

• (Function) The role of economic systems; How does an economy work?
• (Responsibility) Economic decision making; What does it mean to make responsible economic decisions?
• (Reflection) Effect of economic decisions; How do economic decisions affect the community/world/people in different ways?

In this unit we will explore and find out about:

• Money (history of, how it is used, differences in money around the world)
• Spending, saving, budgets and debt
• Economic systems (markets, choices, costs/benefits, supply/demand, taxes, scarcity, and interdependence)
• Entrepreneurship  (consumer/producer, goods/services, famous and local entrepreneurs)

Attributes of the Learner Profile we hope to develop more of; Knowledgeable and Reflective

Attitudes we hope to show during this inquiry; Commitment and Integrity

​Transdisciplinary skills we will build on during this unit; Self-Management and Communication

Support at Home:

• Earning money for chores 
• Opening a savings account or using a bank at home to calculate savings
  
• Creating budgets or working on grocery store lists together
  
• Shopping together at stores and counting out money, reviewing receipts, discussion about taxes (how they work), and becoming more reflective through making choices about spending
  
• Paying attention to labels and where things come from. Why? Discussion on trade and barter.
  
• Discussion on supply and demand...thinking about popular toys, clothing, or things they can relate to. 

SOLE: What is economics and how does an economy work?

How we organize information...data.

Someone discovered this online... a way to organize our feelings each day. "A Year of Feelings" using pixels.

Jamari took action and purchased a calendar to keep track of things she needs to do day-to-day. She is keeping it in her room at home. She said this along with the daily plan sheet we use at school, will help her improve in her Self-Management skills which is one we are focusing on during this unit of inquiry. Way to go, Jamari!!!

Eloise is organizing her homework reading response journals by writing summaries of each chapter she reads at home. Writing a brief summary after reading, helps to improve reading comprehension by organizing the plot/story details in your mind as you write. It also is a lot of fun to read, especially if you haven't read the book and want to follow along.