The Dangerously Creative Economics Teacher

Here is a quick question for you - and one that I hope might encourage lots of shared ideas as we dive headlong into a new school year! What are the props that you bring lovingly out of your cupboards and drawers to illustrate an economic idea or kick-start an activity in the classroom.

Experience suggests that often times, these can be a really cost-effective and fun way of engaging with students on tricky concepts? I had a quick trawl in my desk today and found several much-loved favourites, but I feel that a shopping expedition is on the cards - with your help!

I found

A toy bird (EMU) - thanks to Jen Stimson for that idea
A set of giant playing cards (for trying Play Your Cards right using economics questions)
An inflatable globe
A set of mini white boards
One golf club (seven iron) for discussing policy instruments
Packet of marshmallows and jaffa cakes (testing the law of diminishing returns)
Box of tennis balls (30) - great for testing marginal productivity
A gin and tonic (G&T - fiscal policy explained the sober way)
A selection of balloons
Old MP3 player and other very old consumer products (for illustrating innovation!)

Can we add other ideas and how they are used?

“A student left me a big lump of play-doh on my desk last week - I didn’t know what to make of it”!

Thanks to Ben White for this terrific selection!

* Pass the bomb,great timer (think 40 secs) pupils must draw key diag/write perfect definition etc… before bomb goes
* Plastic gold crown - a reward for overall team winner or temporary winner &new king/queen crowned as correct/better answers are given in class
* Fly swats - used in a team game - an alternative to econ bingo - key terms on board-definition are read out, 1st pupil to swat correct term wins
* Soundmachine - a £5 xmas joke stocking filler has gameshow right/wrong buzzers. I use alongside ‘beat the teacher’ activity (see this link)
* Dice-alternative to pupil name generator. Each pupil has an allocated number, roll dice & they have to answer a queestion - I have a 20 sider for big classes!

Keep them coming!