Standard #: SS.7.CG.3.15


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Analyze the advantages of capitalism and the free market in the United States over government-controlled economic systems (e.g., socialism and communism) in regard to economic freedom and raising the standard of living for citizens.


Clarifications


Clarification 1: Students will evaluate various economic systems (e.g., free market, socialism).

Clarification 2: Students will compare the economic prosperity and opportunity of current nations.



Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Global Economic Systems

Students will rotate through country stations that demonstrate the economic systems of capitalism, communism, and socialism.  They will analyze characteristics of each country to determine its economic system and compare those to characteristics of the United States. Students will explain how free markets advantage the United States. 

Raising the Bar: A look at Capitalist vs. Government-Controlled Nations

This lesson is called “Raising the Bar- A look at Capitalist vs. Government Controlled Nations.” This activity will help students to gain a deeper understanding of the differences between capitalism and socialism/communism and the advantages of capitalism based on the GDP and GDP per capita of eight nations. This activity should follow an introductory lesson on the forms/systems of government and economic systems. The teacher will provide students with information on the types of economic systems and provide them with data on eight selected nations. Students will work collaboratively to create color-coded bar graphs to show GDP or GDP per capita over 20 years (2002, 2012, and 2022) for the eight selected nations. Students will use this information to determine the advantages of capitalist/free-market system.

Lifting the Standard of Living: Capitalism and the Free Market

In this lesson plan, students will be introduced to different economic systems. Through collaborative learning, students will explore economic system scenarios and complete a written response to show their understanding of the various economic systems, and which one provides the best opportunity for economic prosperity.

Show Me the Money: Capitalism, Socialism, Communism

The lesson begins with students exploring the terms economic freedom and standard of living in a group discussion.  Students will complete graphic organizers about capitalism, socialism, and communism as they learn via a provided PowerPoint presentation.  Students will reflect in writing on the advantages of capitalism and the free market. 

Teaching Idea

Name Description
Grade 7 Civics Family Guide: Standard 3

This Grade 7 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 3 at this grade level.

Video/Audio/Animation

Name Description
Portraits in Patriotism - Ivonne Blank: Middle and High School

Ivonne Blank immigrated to the United States in 1961 as part of Operation Pedro Pan, the largest exodus on unaccompanied minors in the Western Hemisphere. Ms. Blank talks about how difficult it was waiting for her parents and living in an orphanage in Denver, CO. Her parents later left the island by boat, were rescued by the Coast Guard, and resettled in the United States. After the family was reunited, they were able to rebuild their lives with support from their community. Ms. Blank went on to become a lifelong educator and U.S. citizen.

Parent Resources

Teaching Idea

Name Description
Grade 7 Civics Family Guide: Standard 3:

This Grade 7 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 3 at this grade level.



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