Virginia SOL CE.13.a
The Standard
examining the effect of competition in the marketplace
Virginia Standards of Learning for History and Social Science · The student will apply history and social science skills to analyze the role of government in the United States economy by
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare markets with several sellers to markets controlled by one seller. They explain how competition can affect prices, quality, consumer choice, service, and new products.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a market example, students identify the competing sellers and predict likely effects on consumers. They support their prediction with evidence and explain why government may act against a monopoly.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think competition always lowers every price or guarantees fair outcomes. They may confuse business competition with personal conflict, or assume government sets all prices rather than enforcing rules that protect competition.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Two pizza shops open beside one existing shop. Name two changes customers might see and explain how competition could cause each change.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Set up three classroom pencil sellers with different prices and features, then let students spend tokens and track how sellers adjust.
Ask students to write how one internet provider versus three providers might change price, service, and consumer choice.
Play a matching game where teams pair market scenarios with likely effects, including lower prices, better quality, more choice, or innovation.
Compare grocery ads for the same item, then identify how stores use price, quality, or service to attract customers.
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Printable CE.13.a Worksheet
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Related Standards
- CE.13.g
evaluating how and why governments regulate industry, labor, competition, and monopolies in the marketplace.
- CE.11.c
comparing and contrasting free-market, command, and mixed economies to determine how each affects the allocation of limited resources and the subsequent effects...
- CE.13.f
describing how governments regulate commerce to protect consumers, the environment, competition in the marketplace, and property rights; and
- CE.14.d
examining the effect of technological change and globalization on career opportunities;
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