It's an easy economic assignment

Clothes

Social Studies 0.5 credit Student name: ___________________________________

Driving Question: Is it worth it to buy expensive clothes? Student will demonstrate the competencies for Economics based on completion of the following project: 1. Research the history of clothing. Research how clothing is created nowadays, and how it gets from raw material to the consumer. Research the cost of different articles of clothing, and different brands of clothing. Research how clothing companies make profits, and how marketing and “branding” affects consumers. 2. Keep a research log (where you keep research details and sources). Keep a learning log (keeping track of time spent on the project). Complete a final reflection at the end of your project. 3. Write a research (expository) paper (7-10 paragraphs) describing what you learned. Include:

� A very brief history of clothing. � The process of how clothing is created nowadays. � The cost (for the consumer) of different articles of clothing. � The cost (for the consumer) of different brands of clothing. � How companies make profits from more expensive clothing. � How marketing and “branding” affect consumers. � A summary of the benefits and drawbacks of expensive clothing compared

to cheaper clothing. � An analysis and opinion on whether more expensive clothing is “worth it”.

4. Plan, organize, and conduct a discussion panel with at least 5 people. Create a poster to summarize the information from your research. Present this poster and your research to your discussion panel. Then conduct a discussion session which analyzes if more expensive clothing is “worth it.” 5. Summarize the results of your discussion panel in a short write-up (1-2 pages). By completing these steps and fulfilling these requirements the students will be granted credit for Economics. Standards met by this project: (student must meet or exceed mastery on all of these standards to complete this 0.5 credit.)

Social Studies EALR 2: Economics: The student applies understanding of economic concepts and systems to analyze decision-making and the interactions between individuals, households, businesses, governments, and societies.

Component 2.1: Understands that people have to make choices between wants and needs and evaluate the outcomes of those choices. Component 2.2: Understands how economic systems function.

� Exceeds standards � Meets standard � Does not meet standard Social Studies EALR 4: History: The student understands and applies knowledge of historical thinking, chronology, eras, turning points, major ideas, individuals, and themes of local, Washington State, tribal, United States, and world history in order to evaluate how history shapes the present and future.

Component 4.1: Understands historical chronology. Component 4.4: Uses history to understand the present and plan for the future.

� Exceeds standards � Meets standard � Does not meet standard Social Studies EALR 5: Social Studies Skills: The student understands and applies reasoning skills to conduct research, deliberate, form, and evaluate positions through the process of reading, writing, and communicating.

Component 5.1: Uses critical reasoning skills to analyze and evaluate positions. Component 5.2: Uses inquiry-based research. Component 5.4: Creates a product that uses social studies content to support a thesis and presents the product in an appropriate manner to a meaningful audience.

� Exceeds standards � Meets standard � Does not meet standard Writing EALR 2: The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.

Component 2.1: Adapts writing for a variety of audiences. Component 2.2: Writes for different purposes.

� Exceeds standards � Meets standard � Does not meet standard Communication EALR 1: The student uses listening and observation skills and strategies to gain understanding.

Component 1.1: Uses listening and observation skills and strategies to focus attention and interpret information. Component 1.2: Understands, analyzes, synthesizes, or evaluates information from a variety of sources.

� Exceeds standards � Meets standard � Does not meet standard