ECONBLOG

The Multiplier

2012-01-26T08:01:00.002-05:00

The New York Times is currently running a very interesting series about iPhone production. Where are the phones made? Why are they made where they are made? How does all of this impact the US economy?

Also included in the series is this nifty little video. I would bet the ranch (if I actually owned one) that your students will find this very interesting.

When I Grow Up....

2012-01-04T07:12:00.002-05:00

....I don't want to be unemployed. So maybe I should go into education or the health field? According to this wonderful Washington Post story that is right on the money.

Many of you are teaching seniors right? Many of those seniors will be off to college in a matter of months right? Right. Why not share this with them so they can compare the unemployment rates of various areas of study at good old State U.

Maybe also a good time to discuss the difference in unemployment rates between recent college grads and those with advanced degrees in the exact same fields.

Good Enough for Government Work

2011-12-26T12:35:00.000-05:00

Nothing here to see folks.
Just keep moving along.

2011-12-25T05:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays.

12 Days

2011-12-24T06:15:00.000-05:00

You are going to need to spend some serious cash this season.

Like, more than a $100,000 serious.

The 12 Days.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

The "Dr. Stiglitz has the Floor" edition.

The Koreas, part 4

2011-12-20T08:34:00.003-05:00

Sunan "International" Airport in Pyongyang.

Down to one runway these days.

Things are a little busier down south at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.

The Koreas, part 3

2011-12-20T07:55:00.001-05:00

How much do you know about the late Dear Leader?

Take the quiz.

“Kim Jong Il was, indeed, a peerlessly great man who breathed his last like a hero, totally dedicated to the people, making endless forced marches for field guidance for their happier life with iron will and superhuman energy.”

The best writers in Hollywood could not make this stuff up if their lives depended on it.

The Koreas, part 2

2011-12-20T07:48:00.002-05:00

Where do you want to live?

The Koreas, part 1

2011-12-20T05:59:00.001-05:00

Where do you want to live?

Lodestar No More

2011-12-19T11:04:00.003-05:00

So long and good riddance Dear Leader. You leave a country that cannot feed its own people. A place where time has stood still since what, the 1960's? A capital city full of empty streets and traffic guards directing vehicles that are simply not there. Not an Internet but an Intranet for your people.

As your people have grown smaller and hungrier you somehow managed to keep the pot belly and exotic sunglasses.

Look at everyone wailing away on camera. So upset that you have decided to take your wisdom and juche spewing nonsense to another place. Don't kid yourself. None of them really mean it. It's all a show.

Just like your entire life.

It's Getting Hot

2011-12-14T07:47:00.000-05:00

Burning down the house.

SMG Champs

2011-12-13T07:47:00.002-05:00

South Central Middle School in Bartow County is in the house! A team from that school took home 1st place in the 2011 fall Stock Market Game simulation with a final portfolio total of $214,477.21. Not bad for a ten-week stretch of time.

And in second place, a team from none other than South Central Middle School in Bartow County with a portfolio total of $207,427.67.

Major congratulations to both teams, and teacher Jason Kornegay, for the huge wins. We will be seeing Jason and his students at the Atlanta Freight Depot in May for the yearly Stock Market Game luncheon.

Thank you to all of the students and teachers who participated this fall. We will see you again in February for the 2012 spring Stock Market Game simulation.

SMG Week 9

2011-12-05T12:23:00.001-05:00

With one week left things have taken a bit of a turn....

1st place- Parkview High with $216,774.00
2nd place- South Central Middle (Bartow County) with $196,992.00
3rd place- Cedar Shoals High with $193,498.00

Who will come out on top? Tune in next week to find out.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-12-03T08:10:00.001-05:00

The "Some of these magazine covers are brilliant" edition.

12 Days

2011-12-01T06:06:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the year once again. Time to figure out exactly how much those darn swans are going to cost us this time around.

Ladies and gents, your 2011Christmas Price Index.

"If I Had a Million Dollars"

2011-11-29T07:59:00.001-05:00

"...I'd be rich." Everyone remembers that classic song from Canada's very own Barenaked Ladies right? Well, have you ever wondered what the items in that song would look like on an infographic? Of course you have.

Ever find yourself sitting around on a Sunday morning wondering how much more it costs to own a dog instead of a cat? Or maybe you sometimes think about the differences in the amount of money we spent to fight the Vietnam War vs. Persian Gulf War?

This really great infographic (you can buy it in poster form) right here has the answers to your questions.

Big tip of the Econblog hat to Erin in Athens for sharing this one.

SMG Week 8

2011-11-28T13:02:00.001-05:00

With two weeks to go the rankings are looking like so...

1st place- Cedar Shoals High with $192,155.00
2nd place- Parkview High with $170,930.00
3rd place- Bartow County with $161,968.00

Keep it rolling.

And a Pecan Shall Lead Us

2011-11-24T11:42:00.001-05:00

Georgia's unemployment rate is still stuck in the high 9's. What to do? How about we bring back good old Pecan Pete? People get hooked on these things and Georgia's pecan farmers will be in the money. Soon they will will be out buying new tractors, new Ford F150's and maybe even some new pecan tree shakers.

Just imagine what kind of impact this would have on numerous Georgia businesses? I can almost see it now, citizens of this state from Lenox to the Lenox Mall will see the wisdom of planting pecan groves on every square inch of arable land.

Before we know it our unemployment rate will be as low as North Dakota's.

Happy Stuffing Day

2011-11-23T11:30:00.001-05:00

A little side of Thanksgiving economics for you.

Enjoy your holiday break.

SMG Week Seven

2011-11-22T10:36:00.001-05:00

The top three as of 11/22/11...

1. Cedar Shoals High................$191,833.94
2. Burnt Hickory Elementary......$185,690
3. Parkview High......................$183,472

Three more weeks to go!

Your Weekend Reading

2011-11-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

The "Has it really come to this?" edition.

Now with 100% more Snooki.

...and it gets worse (or better depending on your preference for this kind of thing.)

Thank You, Mr. President

2011-11-18T07:48:00.000-05:00

With the race for the 2012 White House already in full swing, finding a presidential candidate saying he or she can "fix" the economy is about as easy as finding an angry protestor near Wall Street.

This plan will cut the debt in half. That plan will bring the unemployment rate down to 4%. The plan over there involves the number nine a bunch of times and it promises to put a man on Mars before Christmas while creating economic prosperity not seen since the days of Martin Van Buren!

Are any of them telling the truth? Can a president really even "fix" the economy all by himself? Ladies and gents, I give you this. A tale of the tape of sorts.

SMG Week Six

2011-11-17T07:37:00.001-05:00

With six weeks down, and four to go, the rankings have changed a bit at the top.Your current leaders going into the homestretch...

1st place- Cedar Shoals High with $191,497.00
2nd place- Burnt Hickory Elementary with $189,806.00
3rd place- Mountain View High with $173,853.00

Best of luck to all teams during the remainder of the simulation.

McPork Memories

2011-11-16T06:25:00.001-05:00

Woke up , fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Made my way downstairs and had a McRib, and looking up I noticed I had sauce all over my shirt...

Ah yes, that magical time of the year is upon us once again. Ladies and gents I give you the 2011 McRib roll-out. The pork of legend.

Are your students fired up? Are they skipping school just to spend more time at McDonald's? I'm willing to bet a Big Mac and a McFlurry that they are.

Please, don't be a fool. Take advantage of this golden, and sauce covered, opportunity to link the McRib to econ. Take a peek right here for some fantastic, and sauce covered, micro connections.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-11-12T07:11:00.001-05:00

The "Occupy Mankiw" edition.

Oh, he also wrote this recently.

Royal(ties)

2011-11-08T07:18:00.000-05:00

How does a rock star get paid these days? If I'm sitting in the global HQ listening/watching an Arcade Fire song on YouTube how much $$$ is the band pulling in? Is it still profitable for SONY Records to sell an actual CD? Does Apple get a bigger cut of that Matthew Good song than Matthew Good himself? Is Neko Case (greatest singer of all time) getting a cut when I hear her 77 times on Pandora?

All of these questions, and more, answered right here.

Food Trucks to the Rescue

2011-11-07T05:30:00.000-05:00

An interview with myself...

Me: So, Mr. EconBlog, what has been the most exciting thing to happen around your office in the last three years? Was it the first ever GSU football pep rally? Was it the recent Occupy Atlanta protests? Was it the time the MARTA police got to business on that guy brandishing that gun in Woodruff Park?

EconBlog: Those are all good choices but none compare to the recent addition of what I like to call "Food Truck Wednesday."

Me: Food Truck Wednesday?

EconBlog: Oh yes. Each and every Wednesday a collection of Atlanta food trucks bring their goods to Underground Atlanta. Couple bucks and you are eating like a king.

Me: Atlanta has food trucks?

EconBlog: Indeed. Awesome food trucks to be more specific. One week I'm eating spicy pork burritos the next I'm wolfing down some amazing fries from the fry guy. The cool kids call it "epic."

Me: Nice. Wait, why are we talking about food trucks on this here economics blog?

EconBlog: Entrepreneurship. These people are living the American dream. Come up with a great idea, invest in a truck, give the people what they want and compete for my dollar. Totally great to see the free market do its thing.

Me: Sweet. Where can I find out more about Atlanta's food truck scene?

EconBlog: I've got you covered right here.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-11-04T06:10:00.000-04:00

The "Use it or lose it" edition.

Well This Stinks

2011-11-03T11:38:00.005-04:00

Nothing here to see folks...just keep moving along.

SMG Week 4

2011-11-01T06:29:00.000-04:00

At the end of the 4th week we have two schools from Gwinnett County battling it out for top honors.

1st place, Mountain View High

2nd place, Mountain View High

3rd place, Parkview High

4th place, Parkview High

Stay tuned....

What the Heck Is GDP?

2011-10-31T05:47:00.000-04:00

Your Weekend Reading

2011-10-29T06:09:00.000-04:00

The "Have Some Price Elasticity and a Smile" edition.

Spending Like It's 1937

2011-10-28T09:07:00.001-04:00

Great graphic from the Economist that shows how many Americans have drastically changed their spending habits since the economy decided to dive deeply into the gutter. On the one hand, processed vegetable producers must be absolutely thrilled with the direction of the economy, while on the other hand, manufacturers of new cars and trucks must be feeling rather numb.

One silver lining of a rotten economy...spending on tobacco products has dropped significantly. A silver lining to everyone but tobacco producers that is.

SMG Leaders

2011-10-26T09:14:00.001-04:00

The fall 2011 Stock Market Game is going strong and we have some students getting the job done.

Your leaders...

1st- Mountain View High @ $168,813.00
2nd- South Central Middle @ $160,333.00
3rd- Parkview High @ $150,721.00

Updates to follow...

Your Weekend Reading

2011-10-22T21:00:00.004-04:00

The "beer and economics?" edition.

AP App

2011-10-18T06:27:00.000-04:00

Another APP you may want to take a look at..."Economics AP" in the Apple Store. $3.99 version as well as a "free" version. Two thumbs up from this guy.

Deleverage Until it Hurts

2011-10-17T08:20:00.002-04:00

Spend! Spend! Spend! Charge it! Charge it! Charge it!....until of course everything goes into the crapper and the economy nearly collapses.

Save! Save! Save! Pay off that debt! Pay off that debt! Pay off that debt!....until of course the economy freezes up because nobody is spending.

Ahhh, what to do? Economics can sometimes be a confusing mess.

A Big Chinese Footprint

2011-10-12T06:27:00.000-04:00

While out and about doing workshops Econblog #1 has been fielding more and more questions about China from teachers concerned with a number of things China-related. Specifically, teachers are asking when China is finally going to own the entire United States of America. The usual Econblog #1 response to this line of questioning...Fear not brave teachers, China has a long way to go before they own your school, your car, your pet dog Larry.

Yes, China is growing rather quickly and they are investing more and more in the United States. But you know what? They don't just have eyes for us. They are in fact investing heavily in many parts of the world. Don't believe me? Take a look at this.

Water Rights and Beer

2011-10-11T09:17:00.002-04:00

EOCT App

2011-10-10T07:24:00.002-04:00

An App for the Econ EOCT? Of course there is.

You can check it out right here.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-10-07T14:49:00.002-04:00

The "That PB & J is going to be costing more" edition.

Super Huge NFL

2011-10-04T06:08:00.000-04:00

Each week the NFL seems to get bigger and bigger. Bigger crowds, bigger players, bigger salaries, bigger injuries and bigger surprises. Bigger is better right? It is if you happen to be lucky enough to own a team or a parking lot next to an NFL stadium or a restaurant that serves up game day staples.

Thanks to Newsweek you now have the opportunity to share some interesting facts and figures with your students. $75.00 to park at a Cowboys game? $13.00 for a hot dog at a Lions game? $2.8 million for a 30-second Super Bowl ad? I should have bought the Falcons when I had the chance.

SMG Begins

2011-10-03T07:43:00.002-04:00

And they're off! Today we begin the Stock Market Game simulation...fall 2011 version. Over the course of the next ten weeks students and teachers from all over the state will invest a hypothetical $100,000 in stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds to see who can create the largest portfolio.

Best of luck to the 4,000+ teams participating in the simulation.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-09-30T06:36:00.000-04:00

The "Brooklyn Nets Are Like A Fine Art collection" edition.

Working Like a Dog

2011-09-29T10:12:00.001-04:00

I've got my eye on you complaining German and British workers. You think you have it rough? Take a look at this cool infographic that examines how much work (some) Americans are doing these days.

No wonder I'm so tired all of the time. Anyone know of any cool job openings in Berlin? I could use the time off.

Jobless in Georgia

2011-09-26T13:40:00.001-04:00

Think the unemployment rate is the same from state to state or region to region? Think again.

This nifty chart shows a nice geographical breakdown of the numerous discrepancies to be found in the various unemployment rates around the country.

Great work out of you North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska!

That is Some Apple

2011-09-23T18:31:00.002-04:00

How much is Apple worth these days?

Take a look.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-09-16T13:09:00.002-04:00

The "Say, maybe they are a cartel" edition.

Government Boss

2011-09-14T10:21:00.004-04:00

Killer article from the Economist. Not a shocker to see that the US Dept. of Defense is the #1 employer in the world. Glad I'm not in charge of HR for them. Are they still hiring?

Your Weekend Reading

2011-09-10T06:19:00.001-04:00

The "Famous Athlete Goes Broke" edition.

GCEE @ GCSS

2011-09-07T07:40:00.002-04:00

Hands up. Who's going to the GCSS Conference in October? The Georgia Council will be in the house. This year we are offering three action-packed sessions that will knock your socks off.

Session one (high school): "Teaching Economic Crises" will examine the causes of our current economic "unpleasantness."

Session two (middle school): "Teaching Financial Fitness for Life" will showcase numerous lessons from the new and improved FFFL publication.

Session three (elementary school): "Biographies of Great Americans" is your chance to see the latest GCEE publication, a series of lessons that highlight the economic lives of the people who show up in the K-3 social studies GPS.

Everyone at GCEE hopes to see you in Athens.

Working For the Man

2011-09-06T07:56:00.000-04:00

Timely post right after Labor Day. So how many hours do you work each day? Do you work more than the average Dane? Less than the average German? How do your work hours stack up against the average Japanese worker?

Look right here to see where you, the average American worker, falls on the "Standard Work Hours Around the World" list.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-09-02T10:05:00.002-04:00

The "Happy Labor Day" edition.

Shipping Chinese Jobs to Laos and the US

2011-08-11T08:15:00.002-04:00

Interesting. Very interesting. Going forward I'm sure we will be hearing more and more about this kind of thing happening. What kind of thing you ask? The kind of thing where rising labor costs in one country (China) cause businesses to seek out lower labor costs in other countries (Cambodia, USA). Wait, did I just say labor costs in the US are lower than labor costs in China? No, but combined with other costs....go read the article right here.

Welcome Back!

2011-08-09T08:27:00.005-04:00

"I can see you in the morning when you go to school. Don't forget your books, you know you've got to learn the golden rule...." 70's mega-band Supertramp was right. It's time to get after it again. Summer break was great but now it's time to bring the magic. The road to EOCT/CRCT glory starts right here and right now.

So what do you have planned for this semester? Got any new tricks? Any new lesson plan ideas? Going to change what did not work so well last time around?

GCEE is offering up a number of new workshops this fall for teachers at all grade levels. Fiscal Policy, Commanding Heights and a new 2-day workshop for high school teachers, region-specific workshops for middle school teachers and a new "Biographies" workshop for elementary teachers. We hope to see you out there at some point.

Check out www.gcee.org for details and dates.

Understanding Fiscal Responsibility

2011-08-01T09:19:00.004-04:00

This is big.
Like Mt. Everest BIG.

Thank you Teachers College @ Columbia University.

Student "Athletes"

2011-07-28T10:31:00.008-04:00

Every once in awhile you hear a groundswell of people calling for a change in the way the NCAA does business. Coaches, AD's and many others make millions while the student "athletes" down on the field/court get nada.

Check out this Frontline video for some interesting insight into both sides of the argument and then share it with your class. A great deal of discussion about labor costs (or lack of labor costs) mixed in there.

Looking for some follow up? Maybe a little outside reading to supplement the video? Look here and here for the "just pay them already" side of things. Look here and here for the "the system is just fine (kind of)" side of things.

Look at Our Debt

2011-07-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Teachers....looking for a great "hook" to get the kids interested right out of the gate? Of course you are. Pull up this website during the first two minutes of the new semester and enjoy the great discussion that will be sure to follow.

Don't freak out about the looming debt crisis....use it as an incredibly timely teachable moment.

The Tallest Guys in the Unemployment Line

2011-07-19T08:56:00.003-04:00

An interesting tidbit coming out of the NBA lockout. Will the locked out NBA players be able to file for unemployment checks? If so, will they get them?

I can see the scene now....

NBA player: Uh, yeah, I'm here to sign up for unemployment.
Unemployment office worker: How long have you been out of work sir?
NBA player: Since June.
Unemployment office worker: How much were you making in your previous job?
NBA player: $18 million a year.
Unemployment office worker: Have you been actively seeking employment in the last six weeks?
NBA player: Uh, I did apply at the Burger Barn but the manager said I was overqualified.

And then there is this offer from KFC.

American Chopstick

2011-07-15T07:21:00.004-04:00

Who says all the jobs are heading to China? Years from now will we be making China's cheap plastic toys and t-shirts?

A Korean in Americus, Georgia making chopsticks for China. If that isn't globalization I don't know what is.

The story.........here.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-06-24T07:54:00.002-04:00

The "Is that a crack in the foundation?" edition.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-06-16T08:35:00.002-04:00

The "What the heck is happening to life expectancy in our country?" edition.

Somebody pass me that box of Ho Hos.

Teaching about the Fed

2011-06-14T08:50:00.002-04:00

I guess you are not the only one out there wondering about how to teach your students about the numerous new roles employed by the Fed. Tip of the Econblog hat to Mark DeCourcy for this wonderful find.

Ouch

2011-06-13T20:30:00.004-04:00

Nothing to see here folks. Just keep moving along.....

Your Weekend Reading

2011-06-03T13:36:00.002-04:00

The "gas prices explained" version.

Messi-Nomics

2011-06-02T07:28:00.003-04:00

After watching that Champions League final domination I'm thinking $32 million is not nearly enough to be paying Mr. Messi. Barcelona may be wise to up that pay before some rich club in Italy comes calling. Hard to believe T. Woods is still the highest paid athlete in the world.

More top athlete pay here.

Baseball and Econ

2011-05-31T09:52:00.003-04:00

They go together like ham and cheese right? Our good friends at EconEdLink have just released a new lesson combining Factors of Production, Incentive, Marginal Resource Product and Profit Maximization.

Take a look here to learn more about team revenues and payrolls in Major League Baseball.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-05-27T10:35:00.002-04:00

The "cause and effect" edition.

International in the House

2011-05-20T08:39:00.005-04:00

The Georgia Council recently played host to the 12 coolest economic educators in all of Latin America. Hailing from Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, the guests came to the states on a Council for Economic Education study tour to learn more about the delivery of economics and economics-related programs here in Georgia.

Special thanks to Chris Cannon at Sandy Creek High, Shelby Garner at Spring Hill Elementary, Stacy Dockter at Piney Grove Middle and Sherilyn Narker at Druid Hills High for letting us invade their classrooms. Special thanks #2 to everyone at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta for the great tour and luncheon. Special thanks #3 to everyone at Lockheed Martin for the amazing tour of the C-130 plant. Special thanks #4 to our friends at Georgia Power for taking us all out to the ball game to see the Braves put it to the Milwaukee Brewmasters.

Happy trails my friends. It was an honor and a privilege!

Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year

2011-05-18T07:13:00.006-04:00

Everyone at the Georgia Council on Economic Education would like to congratulate Kristen Johnson of Chapel Hill High School in Douglas County for being named the 2011 Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year.

Europa

2011-05-09T12:05:00.003-04:00

Happy Europe Day everyone!
Ten great EU-related lesson can be found right ......here.

Econ Photo Shoot

2011-05-06T09:28:00.005-04:00

Ben Bernanke Day image, 2011.
Recession train.
100% edible.
That's learning right there.

Round Two

2011-05-05T08:18:00.003-04:00

Like cats and dogs.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-04-29T05:51:00.000-04:00

The "may each of you teach a student like this at some point in your career" edition.

Death Star Costs

2011-04-28T09:28:00.004-04:00

So are you finally done with the EOCT's? What a long slog that was huh? On the one hand you are most likely thrilled that you prepared your students well for the test and they all spent the last few days making you proud. On the other hand you are now faced with the fact that you will be stuck in a room with 25+ students five or six times a day for the next few weeks and they know they are "done" with econ. Ah yes, what to do now?

Before you start that big end-of-year project or economics film fest why not have a little fun with econ? Share this with your students and use it as a way to start a discussion about other movies that can be examined to explore the economic decision making process.

I bet you could spend plenty of time talking about the economic costs and benefits of Shrek's decision to drink the magic potion in Shrek 2. Or how about a thorough examination of the true financial costs absorbed by the Bad News Bears baseball team in the 1977 classic "Bad News Bears in Breaking Training." Driving that van from California to Houston could not have been cheap. I bet that thing only got about 17 miles to the gallon, maybe even less when Kelly Leak was behind the wheel.

Big King Copper

2011-04-27T05:46:00.002-04:00

Why didn't I invest heavily in copper a few years back? Prices up 181 percent since 2009. Use this article on a slow day or use it as a "ticket out the door." Ask your students to read it and then tell you in 50,000 words or less of all the economic concepts found within.

Summer Workshops

2011-04-26T07:59:00.007-04:00

If you are a teacher in Georgia you probably have one thing, and one thing only, on your mind right now....summer vacation. How many days left? I bet each of you know to the exact minute how much time you have left until that glorious bell rings to let the kids out for summer.

So what are your plans for summer anyway? Maybe some time here? Maybe do some of this? Oh, how I miss having summer off. Perhaps the sweetest perk of all.

If you are looking to learn more econ to better prepare yourself to teach the new crop of students you will see in early August look no further than these three Georgia Council summer workshop offerings....AP Macroeconomics (Gwinnett County), AP Microeconomics (Gwinnett County), International Economics for high school teachers (Berry College).

Visit www.gcee.org for details.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-04-22T08:07:00.002-04:00

The "Old School Cuba" edition.

Sell Your Classroom

2011-04-18T06:09:00.000-04:00

I do enjoy Morgan Spurlock. Any man that can eat nothing but McDonald's for a month is tops in my book. Back in the day when I was still teaching I often thought about getting some random company to "sponsor" my classroom. I always imagined a humongous billboard type sticker covering the entire front wall of my class. The kids would have looked at it all day and then they would have rushed out to buy that product. I was even willing to go so far as to put "This Micro test brought to you by the good people at Gynormo Corp" or something like that on my tests. Alas, I did not make it happen and I now have to live with that the rest of my life. Sigh.

Take a peak at another excellent TED video and learn more about how many businesses operate.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-04-15T10:21:00.003-04:00

The "this is a pretty cool interactive graphic" that some of my students just might find interesting edition.

SMG Champions

2011-04-13T07:30:00.004-04:00

Let's all give a huge-shout out to Oliver Elementary School for bringing home the gold in the 2011 Spring Stock Market Game competition! With a portfolio total of $162,945.20 Oliver Elementary takes home another "first place in the state" award.

Rounding out the top five in the state were, Parkview High, Mt. Zion High, Chattooga High and another team from Parkview High.

Congratulations to every team that participated in the 2011 competition. We look forward to seeing the winning teams at the annual Stock Market Game luncheon in early May.

True That

2011-04-12T15:22:00.003-04:00

Mankiw nails it in this NY Times piece.

2011 Georgia Econ Challenge Champs!

2011-03-29T10:13:00.007-04:00

Ladies and gentleman, your 2011 Georgia Economics Challenge winners! All hail the Parkview Panthers! Super huge congratulations to coach Gary Petmecky and his team of students who came to the 2011 competition yesterday and walked away as champions.

Leading from start to finish, the Parkview Panthers bested a team from Northview High School in the quiz bowl competition to take home their fourth Georgia Economics Challenge championship.

Everyone go ahead and wish Parkview the best of luck as they are set to compete in the regional finals on April 27th. If they finish in the top six of regional competition they will move on to the national finals in New York City in May.

SMG Week Eight

2011-03-29T10:08:00.003-04:00

With two to go the top of the heap looks like this...

1st place- Oliver Elementary, $158,310.00
2nd place- Mt. Zion (Carroll County), %145,407.00
3rd place- Morgan County High, $132,493.00
4th place- Archer High, $130,586.00
5th place- Mountain View High, $129,457.00

...stay tuned.

The Press Conference

2011-03-25T07:11:00.007-04:00

Sort of huge news from the Fed. It was just announced that starting in April Chairman Bernanke will start participating in press conferences four times a year. This should please the folks who regularly complain that the Fed is not transparent enough.

I'm thinking they should take this a step further and turn it into some sort of reality tv show. Imagine if we had Ryan Seacrest join Mr. Bernanke once a month on a stage in Hollywood. They could take calls from random Americans who spent their entire week researching the many minutia of Fed policy and history. We could call it "Stumping Ben" and the person who could ask the chairman a monetary policy question that he could not answer in 30 seconds or less would win a trip to the district bank of their choice.

The suspense would be incredible. I can almost picture Ryan Seacrest saying, "All right Katie from Des Moines, Iowa, if Ben cannot answer your question about quantitative easing you are going to be on your way to the Kansas City Fed and District 10!"

A Dilemma for a Prisoner

2011-03-22T10:00:00.004-04:00

When was the last time you had "story time" with your students? Been awhile right? How about next week you fire this podcast up and let your students hear a little something about the prisoner's dilemma AND the Cold War? Very interesting mix of econ and history.

SMG Week Seven

2011-03-22T09:54:00.003-04:00

Back and forth we go. Week seven brings more movement in the top five.

1st place...Archer High $147,486.00
2nd place...Mountain View High $139,906
3rd place...Oliver Elementary $138,004.00
4th place...Mount Zion High (Carroll County) $133,148.81
5th place...Mount Zion High (Carroll County) $120,358.00

TED (Econ clips)

2011-03-18T07:55:00.007-04:00

For those of you who check in regularly, or semi-regularly, you may recall seeing the occasional TED lecture series video posted to the blog. The TED lecture series never fails to disappoint and the lecturers always make you think, ponder and question the norm.

The good folks at accountingdegree.com have compiled a list (with links) to 15 top economics themed TED lectures. Give them a look and turn your students on to what TED has to offer.

SMG Week Six

2011-03-14T09:14:00.002-04:00

Six down and only four more to go. Mount Zion High School from Carroll County is once again in the top slot...but only by a few dollars.

Your top five...

1st place- Mt. Zion High with $151,850.00
2nd place- Mountain View High with $151,607.00
3rd place- Oliver Elementary with $142,443.00
4th place- Morgan County High with $133,413.00
5th place- Mt. Zion High with $129,713.00

Best of luck the rest of the way everyone!

Rich!

2011-03-10T07:28:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year again everyone. Nope, I'm not talking March Madness. I'm talking Money Madness. Here it is.....your Forbes "World's Billionaires" list.

Now go ahead and sit around all day wondering why you didn't think of facebook.

The Classroom Economist

2011-03-08T06:39:00.000-05:00

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta has just released a great new feature called "The Classroom Economist." The first topic covered is inflation. Watch as 2010 Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year, and former Econ Blog contributor, Michael Melvin demonstrates an inflation auction lesson to a class of students. The lesson, which is as rock-solid as they come, will help to answer the "Why don't we just print more money to "fix" the economy?" question you hear from time to time.

Another great feature is the "Chat with the Economist" video that accompanies the lesson demonstration. Fed Economist Mike Bryan does a masterful job in explaining the root causes of inflation while talking about historical instances of hyperinflation and its numerous negative consequences.

SMG Week Five

2011-03-07T08:08:00.003-05:00

Half way to the finish line and we have a little movement in the top five spots. Perennial power Oliver Elementary has rocketed to the #1 spot.

1st...Oliver Elementary- $161,208.00
2nd...Mountain View High- $146,789.00
3rd...Mount Zion High- $144,121.00
4th...Parkview High- $144,059.00
5th...Alexander High- $129,132.00

...to be continued.

Your Weekend Reading

2011-03-05T07:20:00.004-05:00

The "secret sauce of Western civilization" edition.

What is a Teacher Worth?

2011-03-03T07:33:00.005-05:00

With all that is going on in Wisconsin (No, I'm not talking about the Packers) I thought this article would be great to share with all of your friends......and maybe even your enemies named Walker. If you have the time giving the podcast a go might also be a good idea. If you have even more time go ahead and read Eric Hanushek's interesting and informative paper.

How do you place a monetary value on teaching. What is good teaching and what is it worth?

SMG Week Four

2011-02-28T11:45:00.002-05:00

Ch, ch, ch, changes in week four and a huge shout-out to the top five teams heading into week five.

1st place...Benedictine Military School, $220,302.55
2nd place...Sonoraville High, $166,248.32
3rd place...Oliver Elementary, $154,595.18
4th place...Mount Zion High (Carroll Co.), $145,332.39
5th place...Parkview High, $143,640.89

Budget Cutting Glory

2011-02-23T05:53:00.000-05:00

Yet another great "Cut the Budget" website that your kids may, no, WILL enjoy. Go there, show them, get out of the way, discuss.

In The Joint

2011-02-22T05:52:00.003-05:00

Lets face it, spring break 2011 is just around the corner and with that will come news of one, or maybe even two, of your students getting arrested down there in Panama City, Florida for doing something totally foolish.

As a public service to your students why not give them this interesting article about prison currency? It may come in handy and be that edge that they will be looking for while sitting behind bars. Load up now on those combination locks kids!

SMG Week Three

2011-02-21T08:36:00.004-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen, your week three leaders...

1st...Oliver Elementary- $154,948.00
2nd...Mt. Zion High (Carroll County)- $150,264.00
3rd...Parkview High- $134,467.00
4th...Oliver Elementary- $133,440.00
5th...George Walton Academy- $132,504.00

Your Weekend Reading

2011-02-18T08:43:00.003-05:00

The "Amish What?" edition.