Using art to teach economic concepts

A few years ago, I worked with the Mississippi Council on Economic Education and the Mississippi Museum of Art to create a curriculum that incorporated economic concepts into art.  This was, by far, the biggest challenge I had ever faced.  I worked with the education specialist at the museum to create lessons that would help teachers use art not only in their classrooms but also ways to teach economic concepts through art. To be honest, I had no clue how to even begin developing this curriculum.

With any idea, you need an inspiration.  For me, that inspiration came in the form of a National Geographic magazine I came across at Goodwill (below).  The article in the magazine discussed Jamestown's economy.  Perfect!  

I have been fascinated with Jamestown ever since the family and I visited in 2015 (below).

So now that I had a starting point, I began to visit Jamestown's website to identify various artifacts that I could use to introduce the types of questions one should ask while reflecting on art (this is where the museum's education specialist helped me).  From this, I created the following lesson that consists of two components - analysis of Jamestown artifacts (making inferences) and the study of Jamestown economy.  Each lesson can be completed separately if time is an issue. By the way, most of the artifacts chosen somewhat represent a way of living (economy).

When you download the lesson, you will see the student handout is divided into four sections - see, wonder, think, prediction. This type of worksheet can be used with any study of art.  The class will complete each section together so we all finish together.  Once everyone has completed the worksheet for their assigned artifact, I get each group to discuss what they observed and what they predict the object is (I project the artifact so everyone can see it).  After the prediction, I tell them what the artifact actually is (many will predict incorrectly).  Part 2 of the lesson comes next - the study of Jamestown economy, using reading handouts that incorporate the characteristics of the free enterprise system.  If time is an issue, you can take this information and create a PowerPoint.

Jamestown lesson plan

Jamestown PowerPoint converted to PDF (can project to direct lesson)

If you would like more ideas on how to incorporate art into your Economics classroom, visit my page Art and Economics.

To purchase the magazine through Amazon, click here.