Teaching Economics Through Children's Literature in the Primary Grades

Abstract

Primary‐grade students can gain exposure to a wide range of economic concepts in state standards if teachers use reading strategies that embrace children's literature with economic content. This approach allows teachers to teach their students reading strategies and economics simultaneously. Almost all states have content standards in economics, beginning with kindergarten. Our review has identified well over 300 picture books and easy readers that focus on economic concepts found in the state standards. We selected a number of these books and arranged them into groups of five by economic concept. The selection of a book into the “top five” is based on objective criteria and on direct experience in teaching with the books. The longer list, which is found at a complementary website, and the top‐five selections should prove useful given the current trend in numerous states to link English standards to required readings with topics in the social sciences.