Alabama Social Studies SS24.E.2

SS24.E.2 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• SS24.E.2a

  Analyze how changes in opportunity costs impact the rational decision-making of individuals, businesses, and governments.

• SS24.E.2b

  Illustrate and explain how rational decision-making involves the consideration of trade-offs and opportunity costs.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students compare the added benefit and added cost of one more step. They name the best alternative they give up. They explain how a change in that sacrifice affects choices by people, businesses, or governments.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student compares the benefit and cost of one more hour of work, not a whole week. They name the best use of that hour they would give up. They revise their choice when that alternative becomes more valuable.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may compare total benefits with the cost of just the next step. Some list every option they give up instead of the best alternative. Others count only money spent and overlook time or other uses of resources.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: A city can fund one extra bus run worth $14,000 or park repairs worth $12,000. If the repairs become worth $16,000, which should it fund, and what is the opportunity cost of the bus run?

1. 01

   Give pairs 10 paper tokens and option cards showing payoffs for bus runs and park repairs; have them buy units and track forgone payoffs.

2. 02

   Have students write whether they would work one more hour for $20 if they would miss a game they value at $30, and why.

3. 03

   Play a three-round store game: teams choose another cashier or a self-checkout machine, then reveal cards changing wages and machine costs.

4. 04

   Open your city's posted budget; students identify one funded project and a project the city could fund instead with the same money.

• SS24.CWI.12b

  Describe means of implementing a possible solution to a global issue, analyzing its benefits and costs.

• SS24.E.5a

  Evaluate the role of profit as an incentive for short- and long-term decisions by corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.