Which Would You Buy? An Economic Lesson

Teaching economics isn't always easy for elementary students. This lesson might make it easier for them to understand WHY we buy the things we buy. We all have opinions that influence our choices. Using a name brand chocolate chip cookie and a store brand, students learn to compare the reasons why they buy the ones they do.

In this lesson they also test their willpower by analyzing the cookie for a while before they even get to taste it. There is a chart for them to mark the differences in a cookie, color, texture, smell, amount of chips, and taste. They also learn about how packaging might influence their choice. Finally the price of one cookie is compared to the other. Do they want the cheapest? Is the flavor as good as the name brand or better or worse?

This is an activity that also offers some group discussions and sharing of opinions.

The cookies are not included. You will need to buy one package of the store brand and the name brand per class that you teach this to.