The Process

Before you start designing your product, you must explore the Web to find out background information about the study of economics.  This will help you determine what types of products or services will be the best item for both the school and the school store. 

1. Explore the following web sites on the Internet (as a group):

Welcome to Econopolis!

It is time for you to complete an interactive activity to learn about goods and services before you choose what you are going to create for the store.

At this site, you must read the description so that you know what goods and services are, and then as a group try to choose the right answers to the questions.  While you are working, you will need to fill out the worksheet so you have notes to use as references when creating your good or service for the school store.

Have Fun!!!

http://library.thinkquest.org/3901/amanda/gsfarm.htm

Who are PRODUCERS?

Now, you are going to participate in an interactive activity that will teach you about producers.  Who is a producer?  What types of things do producers produce? 

With your group, watch the following video (to get to the next page, click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen Þ)…listen carefully while following along with what the man says, then do the matching activity in order to keep going with the video.

Go learn about producers!

http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/em457/popupActivity2.htm

Do you ever have to CHOOSE between buying two different goods?

What is opportunity cost?  Here is a short lesson for you to do online with your group to learn more about the costs and benefits of your choices.  Follow along with the online lesson doing what you are instructed to do. Be sure to print out anything (i.e. the quiz) that you do interactively.

Vincent van Gogh's Flower Beds in Holland

www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM267

• Fill in the graphic organizer with ideas for your product - you may either print it out and write in your ideas or do it directly on the computer in Kidspiration.
• Decide on your target group (who do you want to buy your product?).
• Choose your top two ideas for the product from your organizer.
• Finalize one idea to be your product.
• Draw a simple sketch of your product.
• Show the drawing to your teacher for approval.
• Revise your drawing and create a final detailed (colorful) picture of your product.

3. Select your role and read the description and get started on your personal task!

Marketing Director

Finance Director

Surveyor

4. Share your work with your group members.

5. Design your final proposal for your new PRODUCT.