High School Economics: Trickle-Down Reading Lesson

Trying to get your high school students interested in economics and recent history? Want to explain why Millennials and younger generations have a hard time ever getting ahead financially? Here's a ready-to-go lesson about supply side economics (also known as Trickle Down Economics or Reganomics).

What's Included:

This lesson has four parts in an easy to use 7 page PDF:

• First, students will tackle a 2-page reading comprehension passage about Trickle-Down Economics. This passage teaches the basic history behind this economic idea, what it is supposed to do, and what it has actually done. Ideas such as capitalism, Marxism, and progressive income taxes are included and explained. It is assumed that students have little to no experience with these topics.

• Next, students will learn new vocabulary by defining nine important terms including capitalism, profits, bourgeoisie, proletariat, progressive income taxes, capital gains tax, corporate taxes, and income inequality.

• Then, students will answer eight comprehension questions about the reading passage. This section encourages critical thinking, close reading, and analysis.

• Finally, students will write a one-paragraph reflection, where they can start to formulate their own personal opinions.

• A complete answer key is also included to eliminate any guesswork and make marking a snap.

Grades to Use With:

This lesson is designed for high school students in grades 9-12 in social studies, business, or economics classes. It could also be used in high school English classrooms as a non-fiction reading comprehension and vocabulary passage.

If you find this lesson useful, check out other integrated social studies activities in my store:

Income Inequality: Thinking Critically About the Distribution of Wealth

The Moral of the Story: Income Inequality in Popular Tales

Thinking Critically About Social Programs: Pension, Healthcare, UBI, Education

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Background Information and Inquiry Assignment

Human Rights: Access to Water: An Integrated Math and Social Studies Lesson