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Learning Activity: Examining consumerism
RELATEDSPECIAL REPORTCNN STUDENT NEWS(CNN Student News) -- Your students will examine the extent to which consumerism impacts their lives. ProcedureInstruct each student to make a list of the items and services that he or she has purchased during the last month, as well as those that he or she plans to buy during the holiday season. Next, draw two columns on the board and label them: "Essential Items" and "Non-essential Items." Then, ask students to list each of their purchases in one of the two columns. While students are listing their purchases on the board, help them to define the differences between essential items and non-essential items. After the discussion, inform students that consumerism can be defined as an attachment to possessions or material goods. Then, divide students into small groups, and have each group prepare a written response to the following questions:
Reconvene the class, and have each group share its responses to the previous questions. Then, ask students: What role does consumerism play in your life? What is your view on consumerism in America? Is it in check or out of control? Wrap up the activity by having students reassess their lists of essential and non-essential items to determine whether they would modify or delete any of the items in light of this activity. Correlated StandardsLife Skills: Thinking and Reasoning Standard 3. Effectively uses mental processes that are based on identifying similarities and differences Level III [Grade: 6-8] Benchmark 1. Compares consumer products on the basis of features, performance, durability, and cost, and considers personal tradeoffs Standard 6. Applies decision-making techniques Level III [Grade: 6-8] Benchmark 6. Makes effective decisions about consumer products based on important criteria, including external features, performance, durability, cost, and personal tradeoffs Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) (http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks/ Keywordsconsumerism, products, shopping, advertisements, spending 
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