Unit 4 Lesson 1: Understanding Economic Systems - Who Wins and Who Loses?

Learning Objectives (Whāinga Ako)

"Kua tawhiti kē to haere mai ai" - You have come too far to turn back now

Students will understand:

How economic systems affect daily life
The difference between wealth and income
Who benefits from current economic structures
How economic inequality is created and maintained

Students will be able to:

Analyze economic data critically
Map their own economic reality
Question dominant economic narratives
Connect personal experiences to larger systems

Lesson Structure

Do Now Activity (10 minutes)

Economic Reality Check

Students individually complete a quick survey about their economic reality:

Do you have a part-time job? How much do you earn per week?
What does your family spend the most money on each month?
What economic decisions has your family had to make recently?
How do you think the current economic system affects your future plans?

Purpose: Activate prior knowledge and personal connection to economic systems.

Activity 1: Economic Systems Mapping (15 minutes)

Instructions:

In pairs, students create a mind map showing how the economy affects their daily lives
Include: housing, food, transport, education, entertainment, future plans
Use different colors to show: things they can control vs. things they cannot
Add arrows showing cause and effect relationships

Key Questions:

What economic forces shape your daily choices?
Which economic decisions feel out of your control?
How do economic factors affect your stress levels?
What would change if you had more/less money?

Activity 2: Data Detective - Housing Crisis Analysis (20 minutes)

Resource Integration:

Use the Housing Affordability Crisis handout for this activity

Investigation Process:

Students read housing crisis data and statistics
Identify who benefits from high housing costs
Analyze government policy responses
Connect to their own housing situations

Critical Analysis Questions:

Who makes money when house prices rise?
Why might some people want high house prices?
How does housing affect educational opportunities?
What solutions would help young people?

Activity 3: Economic Winners and Losers Gallery Walk (10 minutes)

Setup:

Place scenario cards around the room showing different economic situations in Aotearoa New Zealand

Scenario A:

Property investor with 5 rental properties

Scenario B:

Minimum wage worker living paycheck to paycheck

Scenario C:

Recent university graduate with student debt

Scenario D:

Small business owner during economic uncertainty

Students rotate through scenarios, discussing how current economic systems help or harm each person.

Wrap-up & Reflection (5 minutes)

Exit Ticket Questions:

Name one way the current economic system benefits you
Name one way it creates challenges for you
What's one economic fact that surprised you today?
What's one question you want to explore further?

Next Lesson Preview:

We'll dive deeper into wealth vs. income and explore how wealth is really accumulated and distributed in our society.

Assessment & Differentiation

Formative Assessment

Do Now responses: Understanding of personal economic connections
Mind mapping: Ability to identify economic relationships
Data analysis: Critical thinking about housing crisis
Gallery walk discussions: Empathy and systems thinking
Exit tickets: Synthesis and question generation

Differentiation Strategies

Visual learners: Mind mapping and graphic organizers
Kinesthetic learners: Gallery walk and movement activities
Advanced students: Additional economic data analysis
Struggling readers: Partner support and visual aids
ELL students: Translated key terms and peer support