High School planning can be a bit daunting. I’m no stranger to this, as I am right dab in the midst of planning High School. In this post, I am sharing a High School Economics Course that we are considering. Keep on reading to learn more about this high school economics curriculum, and to read my thoughts on the overall course.
In full disclosure, this is a sponsored post and I have been compensated for my time. This in no way affects my thoughts shared below.
Why Studying a High School Economics Curriculum is Important
Not only is economics a required course in high school for most, but it is also an incredibly beneficial course to study. It’s undeniable that there are many topics in economics for secondary school that students can apply in real life. Many think economics is just about money, but it’s so much more than that. Studying economics helps us understand how societies function and how we distribute resources in the face of scarcity. Nothing exists in as an endless supply, right? So we must make trade-offs. The goal of studying economics is to address this issue.
Most importantly, the study of economics helps you to be a good steward of the resources God provides you with.
You want to function, live, and respond to the world around you. You want to work in a way that honors God. Studying economics helps to understand how to accomplish this. It is an economics homeschool curriculum created by Institute for Faith, Work & Economics.
Biblical Foundations For The Economic Way Of Thinking is a great curriculum to consider when weighing your high school economics course options. It is an economics course created by Institute for Faith, Work & Economics.
From the book, Biblical Foundations for the Economic Way of Thinking:
“It [economics] helps us to better order our personal lives by helping us focus on our comparative advantages. It helps us to see trade as a fantastic way to use our gifts to serve others across the globe as we seek to bring about more community and global flourishing.
What we will begin to explore are the core questions economists are always forced to ask: “Why?”, “ At what cost?”, and “What are the alternatives?” When we see problems in the world, we need to analyze why they happened and what incentives people are responding to. We always need to assess costs against benefits – how much is it worth to proceed down a given path, and what are the alternative options available to us??”
By gaining an understanding of economics, students will learn how to make wise decisions while living under conditions of scarcity and limited knowledge. They will learn the importance of being able to freely exchange their time, abilities, and resources with others in order to produce more prosperity than they could have on their own. They will gain discernment as they learn about trade-offs and opportunity costs, things that will help them make wise use of their time and create value using their unique gifts and talents.”
The Meat and Potatoes of Biblical Foundations For The Economic Way Of Thinking
- 17 modules (one week per module) high school homeschool elective course
- Within those 17 weeks (modules), there are two exams: Midterm and Final Exam
- Each week (or module) there will be several reading assignments. In the book, you are provided with a link that contains all the extra reading material, including videos. On that page, every single additional reading material is available with one click. Very easy to access. You can download them and print them if you would like to. Some of the lessons during the week are videos, which I find to be super refreshing!
- There are discussion questions and activities to help apply the content learned.
- There is also a Teacher Guide which includes answers to the discussion questions, as well as answers to the midterm and final exams.
- One additional required reading that you will need to purchase: Common Sense Economics you can find it super easy on Amazon. It’s less than 15$ (NEW).
Take a moment to go HERE to download free lessons from Biblical Foundations For The Economic Way Of Thinking.
Highlights of Biblical Foundations For The Economic Way Of Thinking
Here are a few highlights from the course.
Christian Perspective
IFWE is written from a Christian perspective. They are not shy about basing their entire program on Biblical principles. Many Christian-based courses or curriculum may say they are based on Biblical principles, but often lack a true Christian perspective in their material. That is not the case with Biblical Foundations For The Economic Way Of Thinking. The course does an excellent job at weaving in Biblical principles.
Independent Learner Friendly
During the high school years, it is now crucial to instill and build those independent learning skills. Ideally, you have started this during the middle school years, but now is as good a time as any! This course is perfectly designed for independent learners and would work wonderfully with students just beginning to learn how to do independent study. Though the parent can still have involvement (you’ll see that in the teacher guide), the meat & potatoes of the course will be a great resource for independent learning.
Main text = Amazing!
The course itself is amazing, but the primary book used throughout the course is called Common Sense Economics – What Everyone Should Know About Wealth and Prosperity. This book will be used throughout all of the modules in the course. It’s a wonderful book that I am thankful to have added to our family library!
Well Organized Course
Often smaller courses can be a bit messy. But this course is put together so well, and it is very well organized. The introduction and syllabus offer you a clear and complete overview of what lies ahead.
Throughout each of the modules you’ll find the following sections:
- Description
- Learning Objectives
- Key Ideas
- Introduction to the module
- Assignments (this is the reading of articles, text, and Bible Scriptures)
- Study Questions
- Group or Family Activity section
- Summary of the overall module.
As you can see, it is very complete. I love the Group or Family Activity section that the course offers. I think it is an amazing way to involve those around you in what you are learning, and a wonderful way to apply in real-life what you are learning.
Check it Out! (and a discount)
I would love to encourage you to head on over to Institute for Faith, Work & Economics and take a moment to download free lessons from Biblical Foundations For The Economic Way Of Thinking. While you are there, you can also check out their other program – Understanding God’s Calling.
Get 50% OFF all IFWE homeschool curriculum through June 15, 2016, with code HSBLOG50
PLUS, if you purchase by June 15th, IFWE will throw in a 24 oz. Your Work Matters to God tumbler (one per order, while supplies last).
Visit Institute for Faith, Work & Economics!
I hope this overview of Biblical Foundations For The Economic Way Of Thinking will help you narrow down your options for high school economics curriculum!
