Economic Systems: Intro to Free Market Capitalism, Command and Mixed Economies

Students are first "hooked" with an activity that has them imagine they live in 3 different families with very different parenting styles. They choose which parents they would prefer and why, which is great for a quick class vote or discussion. Then these families are linked to three different types of economies. Students fill out an organizer with your notes (which I provided) that provide definitions, context, as well as historical and current examples of these economies throughout the world. Finally, I included an exit ticket / follow up activity to make sure students understand the topic. I use this before teaching about the Roaring 20's/Depression & New Deal, or before teaching about the Cold War, as it nicely distinguishes communism from capitalism.