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Econiful Curriculum — Tennessee Standards Alignment
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Lesson #Lesson TitleLesson DescriptionTennesee Economics Standards (2026-2027) and Personal Finance StandardsNational Content Standards in K-12 Economics; National Standards for Personal Financial Education
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Unit 1: Economic Foundations
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1.1Semester Pre-AssessmentA no-stakes test of economic literacy is given to establish a baseline of economic knowledge.
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1.2Packing for a River Trip: An Introduction to EconomicsBy planning a two-week river trip, students learn how economic principles, especially scarcity, influence decisions.E.01Scarcity and Allocation; Decision-Making
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1.3Thinking Like an Economist: Part 1Students learn about the cost-benefit and opportunity cost principles to decision making.E.01Scarcity and Allocation; Decision-Making
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1.4Thinking Like an Economist: Part 2Students apply two more economic thinking principles (marginal and interdependence) to decision making.E.01Decision-Making
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1.5Exploring Diminishing Marginal UtilityBy participating in an economic experiment with chewing gum, students learn about diminishing marginal utility.Decision-Making
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1.6Complexities of Decision MakingStudents examine the impact of present bias, the sunk cost fallacy, and the framing effect on decision making.Decision-Making
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1.7Review to DateKey concepts from Unit 1 are reviewed through station rotations.Decision-Making
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1.8Introduction to the Production Possibilities Frontier (PPF)Students produce tiger and panda bookmarks and use data from the simulation to create a production possibilities frontier.E.06Scarcity and Allocation; Decision-Making
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1.9Adding Complexity to the PPF: Part 1Factors of production, opportunity costs, and shifts in the PPF are explored.E.02, E.06Scarcity and Allocation; Decision-Making, Gross Domestic Product; Growth and Fluctuations
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1.10Adding Complexity to the PPF: Part 2Students link the PPF to key economic concepts and practice interpreting and generating PPF models.E.06Scarcity and Allocation; Decision-Making, Gross Domestic Product; Growth and Fluctuations
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1.11Assessment PreviewStudents prepare for the Unit 1 summative assessment by scoring two samples using the rubric.E.01Decision-Making
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1.12Principles of Economic Thinking in the NewsStudents complete a summative assessment where they relate one of the principles of economic thinking to a news story.E.01Scarcity and Allocation; Decision-Making
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Unit 2: Microeconomics
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2.1Coffee MarketThrough a simulation students learn how buyer-seller interactions determine price in a competitive market.E.12Markets
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2.2Law of DemandUsing data from the coffee market simulation, students explore the law of demand and practice graphing the demand curve.E.09Markets
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2.3Introduction to FirmsStudents operate a competitive hat firm to prepare for mastering the law of supply.E.15Decison-Making; Business Decisions and Market Structure
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2.4Law of SupplyStudents explore how prices affect the quantity supplied and practice graphing supply curves.E.09Markets
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2.5Shifts in DemandStudents explore the causes and effects of demand shifts.E.10, E.13Markets
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2.6Shifts in SupplyStudents explore the causes and effects of supply shifts.E.10, E.13Markets
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2.7Review To DateThrough station rotations, students review key concepts from Units 1 and 2 to prepare for a summative assessment.E.09, E.10, E.12, E.13Markets
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2.8Assessment PreviewStudents prepare for a Unit 2 summative assessment by scoring two samples using the rubric.E.09, E.10, E.12, E.13Scarcity and Allocation; Decision-Making; Markets
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2.9Analyzing a Product MarketIn this summative assessment, apply key microeconomic concepts to analyze a product market model.E.09, E.10, E.12, E.13Markets
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2.10Introduction to Market FailureThrough a tragedy of the commons simulation, students explore market failure and the government's role in addressing it.Market Failure; Role of Government
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2.11Public GoodsStudents learn about public goods, the free-rider problem, and how government might address market failure.E.32Market Failure; Role of Government
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2.12ExternalitiesStudents explore positive and negative externalities, as well as possible government remedies for these market failures.E.40Market Failure; Role of Government
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2.13Market StructuresStudents compare four market structures and the outcomes for consumers and firms in each structure.E.21, E.22Business Decisions and Market Structure; Market Failure; Role of Government
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2.14Government Interference or Intervention?Students explore different perspectives on the role of government in markets through a social media conversation.E.23, E.25, E.29Markets; Market Failure; Role of Government
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2.15Labor MarketsStudents study factors influencing wages and how labor market supply and demand shifts affect equilibrium wage rates.E.28Markets; Labor and Income
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2.16Exploring the Minimum WageThrough interactive activities, students analyze arguments surrounding the federal minimum wage.E.28Markets; Role of Government; Labor and Income
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2.17Income InequalityUsing manipulatives and data analysis, students explore income distribution and government redistribution programs.E.32Role of Government; Labor and Income
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2.18Connections Across Units: Part 1Students link concepts from Units 1 and 2 to an issue of their choice in preparation for the summative assessment.Markets; Market Failure; Role of Government; Labor and Income
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2.19Connections Across Units: Part 2Students link concepts from Units 1 and 2 to an issue of their choice in preparation for the summative assessment.Markets, Market Failure, Role of Government, Labor and Income
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2.20Economics in Plain SightStudents complete an in-class assessment identifying and analyzing economic concepts from real-world sources.Decision-Making; Markets; Business Decisions and Market Structure; Market Failure; Role of Government
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Unit 3: Macroeconomics
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3.1An Introduction to the Macroeconomy: Circular FlowThrough a simulation, students learn about the interdependence of households and firms in a macroeconomy.Gross Domestic Product
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3.2Introduction to Macro Indicators & Assessment PreviewStudents explore four key macroeconomic indicators and familiarize themselves with the unit assessment structure.E.08Gross Domestic Product; Inflation; Growth and Fluctuations
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3.3Introduction to Gross Domestic Product (GDP)Through scenarios and discussions, students learn about GDP, how it is measured, and its value and limitations.E.39Gross Domestic Product
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3.4Evaluating GDP as a Measure of Well-Being: Part 1Using real-world data, students analyze the imperfect relationship between GDP, standard of living, and quality of life.E.39Gross Domestic Product; Growth and Fluctuations
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3.5Evaluating GDP as a Measure of Well-Being: Part 2Students categorize and evaluate critiques of GDP as a measure of well-being.E.39Gross Domestic Product
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3.6Thinking About the Labor Force Like an EconomistStudents engage in a card sorting activity to understand labor force criteria the definition of unemployment.E.39, E.43Unemployment
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3.7A Closer Look at Unemployment DataAnalyzing text and economic data, students learn about labor underutilization and the limitations of the unemployment rate.
E.39Unemployment
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3.8A Practical Guide to the U.S. Economy: Part 1Students work on Part 1 (GDP Growth Rate & Unemployment Rate) of the summative assessment.E.39Decision-Making; Gross Domestic Product; Unemployment
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3.9Introduction to InflationUsing an automotive analogy, students learn about inflation, disinflation, and deflation.E.39Inflation
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3.10A Closer Look at InflationStudents explore the causes and impacts of inflation, linking economic expansion and contraction to economic indicators.E.41Inflation
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3.11Interest Rates and the Role of BanksStudents learn about the role of commercial banks and impact of interest rate changes on individuals and the macroeconomy.E.42Banks, Interest Rates, and Financial Markets
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3.12Monetary Policy and the Federal Funds RateStudents analyze past macroeconomic data to predict changes in the federal funds rate and the resulting economic effects.E.31, E.35, E.36Decision-Making; Inflation; Economic Fluctuations; Monetary Policy
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3.13A Practical Guide to the U.S. Economy: Part 2Students work on Part 2 (Inflation Rate & Federal Funds Rate) of the summative assessment.Decision-Making; Inflation; Monetary Policy
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3.14An Introduction to Fiscal PolicyThrough a board game, students learn the basics of fiscal policy. A practice quiz on stabilization policy is included.E.35, E.36Decision-Making; Inflation; Growth and Fluctuations; Fiscal Policy
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3.15Complications of Fiscal and Monetary Policy: Part 1Students investigate the complexities of monetary and fiscal policy to assess the economic role of government.E.29, E.35, E.36Decision-Making; Growth and Fluctuations; Monetary Policy; Fiscal Policy
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3.16Complications of Fiscal and Monetary Policy: Part 2Students explore various perspectives on fiscal and monetary policy, analyze sources, and synthesize their findings.E.29, E.35, E.36Decision-Making; Monetary Policy; Fiscal Policy
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3.17Beyond the Big 3: Part 1By researching a novel economic indicator, students deepen their understanding of how to evaluate the economy’s health.Market Failure; Role of Government; Inflation; Growth and Fluctuations
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3.18Beyond the Big 3: Part 2Drawing on their research from Lesson 3.17, students script a conversation focused on a novel economic indicator. Market Failure; Role of Government; Inflation; Growth and Fluctuations
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3.19A Practical Guide to the U.S. Economy: Part 3Students work on Part 3 (Economic Dashboard) of the summative assessment.Decision-Making
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3.20A Practical Guide to the U.S. Economy: Part 4Students then complete Part 4 (Reflection) of their assessment and tie up any assessment-related loose ends.Decision-Making
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Unit 4: Global Connections
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4.1Why Are Some Nations Richer than Others?Through a hands-on activity, students explore determinants of national wealth and dispel common misconceptions.E.27Market Failure; Role of Government; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.2Exploring How Institutions Shape ProsperityThrough a simulation, students explore how effective institutions support a higher standard of living.E.38Market Failure; Role of Government; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.3Investments That Drive Economic GrowthThrough a digital simulation students discover how investments in public health and education drive economic growth.E.27Decision-Making; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.4Analyzing Costs and Benefits of Investing in Human CapitalUsing data analysis and recent research, students consider how education impacts productivity and GDP per capita.E.27Decision-Making; Role of Government; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.5Infrastructure and Economic Growth: A PACED AnalysisStudents evaluate three real-world infrastructure projects to determine their impact on economic growth.E.27Decision-Making; Role of Government; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.6Technological Innovation and Economic GrowthStudents explore how investments in technological innovation drive economic growth through a reading and simulation.E.27Decision-Making; Role of Government; Technology; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.7Investing in the Future: Economic Growth ProposalStudents apply their learning by proposing a local spending project aimed at promoting economic growth.E.27Decision-Making; Role of Government; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.8Why Trade Is SweetThrough a simulation to explore how voluntary exchange increases efficiency and improves outcomes.E.03, E.45Decision-Making; Specialization and Exchange; International Trade
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4.9Comparative Advantage and Gains from TradeStudents use economic models to learn how trade creates mutual gains by expanding consumption possibilities.E.46Decision-Making; Specialization and Exchange; International Trade
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4.10Analyzing Critiques of Unrestricted TradeStudents evaluate critiques of unrestricted international trade and consider how trade policies affect different stakeholders.E.50Decision-Making; International Trade
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4.11Trade Policy: Part 1Students examine the economic impact of a recent U.S. tariff and the political pressures behind trade policy decisions.E.47Decision-Making; International Trade
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4.12Trade Policy: Part 2Students examine an assistance program to understand how governments might balance the effects of trade.E.50Decision-Making; International Trade; Role of Government
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4.13Investigating Trade Policy Through a State LensStudents research how international trade impacts their state and prep for a podcast discussion on proposed trade policies.E.50Decision-Making; International Trade
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4.14Assessment Practice and PreviewStudents are introduced to the end-of-unit assessment and given a structure to support their success.Decision-Making; Business Decisions and Market Structures; Role of Government; International Trade; Technology; Growth and Fluctuations
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4.15Recommendations from a Development EconomistStudents complete a summative assessment where they make recommendations to improve a country's standard of living.Decision-Making; Business Decisions and Market Structures; Role of Government; International Trade; Technology; Growth and Fluctuations
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Unit 5: Personal Finance
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5.1The Promise and Peril of Compound InterestStudents examine data and realistic scenarios to learn how compound interest can work both for and against individuals.6.1Saving; Investing
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5.2Investing Like an EconomistStudents formulate foundational investing advice through a choose-your-own-adventure-style activity.6.1Investing
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5.3Thinking About Credit Like an EconomistStudents explore the costs and benefits of using credit through video clips, readings, and discussions of real-world scenarios.1.3, 2.4, 4.1Managing Credit
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5.4Why Credit Scores Matter for Your FutureBy playing a board game, students discover why credit scores matter and how their actions can affect their credit score.4.2Managing Credit
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5.5Making Informed Career DecisionsStudent access a variety of resources to research the costs and benefits associated with an occupation of interest for them.1.3, 2.2Earning Income
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5.6Decoding Paycheck DeductionsStudents analyze earnings statements to explain why workers with the same salary can have different take-home pay. 2.5Earning Income
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5.7Assessment PreviewStudents are introduced to and begin preparing for the end-of-unit assessment, Planning for Future You. 1.3Saving; Investing; Managing Credit
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5.8An Introduction to BudgetingStudents are challenged to create a balanced budget that reflects their priorities in a stations-based activity. 1.3, 3.2Spending; Saving
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5.9A Closer Look at BudgetingStudents learn about budgeting methods and then apply their knowledge to realistic scenarios.3.2Spending; Saving
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5.10Thinking About Insurance Like an EconomistThrough a vocabulary exercise and a choice-based reading, students learn how renters or car insurance works.5.1Spending; Managing Risk
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5.11How to Be a Savvy Consumer of Financial InformationStudents work through a digital “Boot Camp” to spot the warning signs of questionable financial messaging. 3.5Spending; Managing Risk
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5.12Planning for Future YouIn this summative assessment students set a meaningful financial goal and craft personalized advice to achieve it.1.3Earning Income; Spending; Saving; Investing; Managing Credit; Managing Risk
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5.13Semester Post-AssessmentA no-stakes test of economic literacy is repeated at the end of the semester to determine growth.