Quinn Gates and Carl Pearson

411012014

Understanding lncentives

Freakonomics by Steven D Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Chapter 2 Summary: In this non-fiction book, Levitt and Dubner challenge preconceived notions and "conventional wisdom" using the study of economics and incentives. Multiple scenarios and aspects of society are explored, such as cheating in school, drug dealers, baby names, real estate agents, and more. ln our lesson, chapter 2 challenges the notion, perpetuated by the media, that being a drug dealer is a well-paying job in spite of the risk. Readers:
11th-12th grade

students in economics class

Learning Strategy / Activity:

Anticipation Guide + Guided Notes
This strategy utilizes the book's approach of using economic terms to understand social norms and structures. Students fill out an anticipation chart filled with the preconceived notions that the book is attempting to challenge in order to engage them. The story involves the sordid secrets of gangs and drug dealing, which appeals to people's (particularly younger students') voyeuristic nature. The anticipation guide seeks to enforce that things may not always be as they seem in society, while the guided notes assist students in picking up on the economic terms they learn in class as they apply to the story. The icing on the cake is a positive anti-drug message and a gritty real-world example of povefty and inequality.

Additiona! Activities: The continuing themes of the book can be elaborated on by

asking students to come up with a social phenomenon and research multiple reasons as to why it occurs. Students are encouraged to argue their perspective or opinion on the matter.