When Will It End?

I'm not referring to the school year, although for some it may have ended already. Others may have a week, two, or even more to go. Regardless, I suspect it's going to be difficult to think about next fall, much less get your students to do so. However, I ran across something that might be useful if you are inclined to focusing on the future and/or trying to get your students to do the same.

This piece was in a recent issue of The Wall Street Journal. It goes beyond the traditional "two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth" that we often hear when some try to define a recession. The article points to different economic data that might indicate the recession is bottoming or has bottomed. And because a lot of things can change in two or three months, this might make an interesting item for teacher edification, or to share with students that you know you'll see in the fall. Hopefully, some of them share your enthusiasm and excitement about economics. This will give that energy some focus.

Have them chart/journal the data. Or if they think of other bits and pieces of data that might be a precursor to the economic turnaround, have them cite it and explain the connection. They can even throw in anecdotal observations from their summer jobs and/or vacations. It won't be easy, but worthwhile things rarely are. And think of all the possible grist for discussion you'll have after call the first roll in September (or August as the case may be).

I will continue blogging through the summer. If you currently receive my emails at school and want to redirect them to your home, just let me know and we'll change the notification list. That will avoid an "overfull" inbox when you return, or our dropping you from the mail list because your full inbox bounces back to us.

As always, I look forward to your comments - even in the summer.

This post relates to the following Keystone Economic Principles:
1. We all make choices.
3. All choices have consequences.
and
4. Economic systems influence choices.