Teaching 4th-grade social studies is exciting! In this history lesson, students will learn about Supply and Demand in Economics. Students will explore assembly line jobs and discover ways to increase production. Through a simulation of a pizzeria, students will work together to complete specific tasks in the assembly line and collaborate to make their jobs more efficient. This has been voted as my 4th grader’s favorite lesson of the entire school year for the past five years! So... have fun!
NOT IN IDAHO? NO PROBLEM! This lesson covers 4th-grade standards about settlers and includes activities/readings that will add value to any state's curriculum.
Included in this 4th-grade Idaho history lesson about Supply and Demand in Economics:
✏️ Simulation directions (with a script) for teachers
✏️ Printable Simulation Materials (You will need construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers)
✏️ Reflection about the simulation
Idaho History Mystery Elements:
Set the Stage: Postcard
- Engage students at the beginning of the lesson and present the mystery.
Introduction: Read All About It!
- Students can read about Supply and Demand in Economics and respond to questions.
Engage: Simulation
- Students interact with the materials on a more creative level.
✏️ Show What You Know: Assessments
- Invite students to show what they have learned about economics through a differentiated assessment.
✏️ Earn a Badge: Mystery
- Students complete one “Escape Room-Style” mystery at the end of each lesson.
✏️ Answer Keys
Hear about this 4th-Grade Assembly Line Activity from educators like you!
⭐️ “My students absolutely loved this! It was so much fun for all of us. I changed up how I did this. I had all supplies ready to use. I put class into 2 groups and allowed one group to do an assembly line and one group had to make their own pizza. I explained the rules quietly to each group. After 10 minutes we counted pizzas and the assembly line did better. The second time around I let both groups do an assembly line. We talked about division of labor, supply and demand, specialization and assembly line. Thank you so much for this product!! It was a blast.”
⭐️ “Sometimes social studies can be a bit dry so this activity was perfect to explain the assembly line during the Industrial Revolution. The kids loved and and giggles could be heard through the room. No one missed the assembly line question on the test this year!”
⭐️ “One of the best resources that I have bought. Easy to set up and for the children to follow. They absolutely loved this. I used this activity in a Design and Technology unit, where we have been looking at mass production of food and assembly lines. This 'hands on' activity gave my students a good understanding of the assembly line process and from there we were able to design our own assembly line to make 20+ real pizza in class. Just loved it!”
⭐️ “Such a fun way to teach students first hand about an assembly line. It allows students to think about how goods used to be produced before computers became heavily involved.”
⭐️ “OMG! I wish I had something this engaging for everything I did in social studies. So much fun with a deeper understanding of the assembly line and WHY it changed the industrial revolution.”
Use this 4th-grade history lesson about Supply and Demand in Economics in so many ways!
✅ Introduce Supply and Demand in Economics with the lesson postcard.
✅ Invite students to read about Supply and Demand in Economics and respond to questions.
✅ Complete the simulation that comes with the lesson.
✅ Check students’ skills using differentiated assessments.
✅ Challenge students to complete the Idaho History Mystery and earn a badge!
Find answers to your questions about this Idaho State History Social Studies Lesson:
✋ Do I need a specific textbook to use this resource?
- No. The activities can all stand alone. I have added chapters from the Idaho Adventure Textbook on one “suggested extra resources” page, but none of the activities rely on this textbook.
✋ Do I have to live in Idaho to find value in this social studies lesson about Supply and Demand in Economics?
- No. This lesson will be a blast for students in any state!
#mbcreations #mbcreations4education #idahohistory