Innovative ‘Classroom Mini-Economy’ Curriculum Updated

Simulation gives elementary & middle school students an applied understanding of U.S.economy.

New York, NY (RWEB) June 3, 2006 --- The National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) announced today the third edition of the popular The Classroom Mini-Economy publication (http://store.ncee.net/classroom-mini-economy.html).

Designed for elementary and middle school students, The Classroom Mini-Economy gives teachers the tools they need to create a fully-functioning economy inside their classrooms, including reproducible play money, tax forms, worksheets and job applications. This simulated approach gives students keen insight into real-world, entrepreneurial economic activity, at an early age.

“In today’s increasingly global economy, students often lack a basic understanding of how our economy works,” said Robert Duvall, NCEE’s president and CEO. “Later in life, this puts them at a disadvantage because they don’t understand the value – and function – of their money.”

By using their own imagination and creativity, students discover how to earn, manage, and invest their money, while integrating themselves into a simulated business world.

To help teachers effectively introduce the simulation, The Classroom Mini-Economy includes background readings; lesson plans; tips on improving the mini-economy; and follow-up activities and worksheets.

New features include an integrated ‘Mini-Economy Banking Program’ that allows students to perform their banking online, “Additional Resources” that direct teachers to supplemental enhancement resources, and a test bank for grades 2-3 and 4-6.

Each of the lessons is correlated to the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics, covering key subjects such as goods and services, opportunity cost, scarcity, productivity, and supply and demand.

About The Classroom Mini-Economy

To learn more about The Classroom Mini-Economy or to place an order, visit http://store.ncee.net/classroom-mini-economy.html

About the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE)

The NCEE (www.ncee.net) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving economic and financial literacy. Both directly and through its unique nationwide network of state Councils and more than 200 university based Centers for Economic Education, NCEE’s programs reach more than 150,000 K-12 teachers and over 15 million students in more than 70,000 schools each year.

Contacts:

Troy White

212-730-1791

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