Workshop at GMNY Conference Gives Social Studies Teachers Resources for Teaching Economics Within U.S. History

New York City Teachers Use Economics to Dig Into Past Financial Meltdowns, Government Responses

New York (PRWEB) February 6, 2009 -- Is the United States on the verge of a depression? That's the question New York City social studies teachers will explore at The Greater Metropolitan New York Social Studies Conference (http://www.edusolution.com/socialstudies/atss/exhinitinfo.htm) at the United Federation of Teachers Headquarters (http://www.uft.org/about/uft_headquarters/) on Saturday, February 9th, 2009.

During the 'Understanding Economics in U.S. History' workshop, teachers discover how to use mystery-based lesson plans, worksheets and online activities to infuse economics concepts into their U.S. history courses. Teachers will analyze the causes of the Great Depression, debate whether they would sell themselves into indentured servitude and discover what connection an iPhone has to U.S. history.

"Can we learn any financial lessons from the past, and apply them to our decision-making?" asks Troy D. White, the Council for Economic Education's Director of Sales and Marketing. "These lesson plans and activities give teachers a framework for putting the current events in perspective, and ultimately help students draw parallels to today's current economic turmoil and the outcomes of similar events in the past."

Teachers will examine historical economic data, participate in a group activity, and debate and defend their answers. Then, teachers will explore online lessons from EconEdLink.org that they can use with their students to extend and reinforce their history and economic lesson plans.

The Council for Economic Education will also co-sponsor, with the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History (http://www.gilderlehrman.org/), the 'History Happy Hour,' featuring a discussion by Dr. Robert R. Tomes, a professor of History at St. John's University.

Exhibit Hall Schedule:
8:30am-11:30am

Workshops and Networking Events, Saturday, February 9th 2009

Understanding Economics in U.S. History
9:15am to 10:15 am
Room F

History Happy Hour
12noon to 1:00pm

About the Council for Economic Education
The Council for Economic Education envisions a world in which people are empowered through economic and financial literacy to make informed and responsible choices throughout their lives as consumers, savers, investors, workers, citizens, and participants in our global economy.

The Council for Economic Education (www.councilforeconed.org) offers comprehensive, best-in-class K-12 economic and personal finance education programs, including the basics of entrepreneurship, consisting of teaching resources across the curriculum, professional development for teachers, and nationally-normed assessment instruments. Each year, the Council's programs reach more than 150,000 K-12 teachers and over 15 million students in the United States and in more than 30 other countries. These programs are delivered through a diversified system: directly from the Council, through a network of affiliated state Councils and university-based Centers for Economic Education, and through other partner organizations.

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