Notable Trade Book Lesson Plan: The City of Ember and The People of Sparks

• Published in: Social studies research & practice Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 244 - 252
• Main Authors: Stover, Lynne Farrell, Haynes, Barbara F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2007
• ISSN: 1933-5415; 1933-5415
• DOI: 10.1108/SSRP-02-2007-B0008

Using children’s literature to teach economics is a good method of making unclear concepts seem logical and authentic and has been used effectively by primary school educators for many years. However, finding a popular book that contains clear and comprehensible examples of economic choice, goods and services, and supply and demand at the upper elementary/middle school level can be a challenge. Meeting this challenge is Jeanne DuPrau’s Ember Series , a compelling futuristic cautionary tale that encourages its readers to think seriously about the allocation of limited resources and the consequences of planning for the future. This interactive lesson takes a situation from a book’s plot and applies it to economic principle “voluntary trade creates wealth.”