SCARCITY; ECONOMICS

Here is a quick and easy way to introduce scarcity into economics.

Economics -game - scarcity

This game is a take-off of the childhood game musical chairs.
Rules of the game scarcity. Write rules on board before game begins and review rules.

1. Every student begins the game standing
2. Every student wants a chair at the completion of the game
3. There is one student to a chair
4. The person that has more than 50% of their body on the chair earns the right to that chair.
5. Winners are those that have a chair at the completion of the game.

Preparation for game - remove 5 chairs from your classroom, enough so a few of your students will not be able to sit down. I do this after an activity that requires them to be up and about so they do not notice that the chairs are missing.


Preparations begin with an introduction to economics and resources and scarcity. Begin by telling the students that they experience scarcity everyday in their daily lives. Whether it is the money that they would like to spend but do not have, the vacation that they would like to go on but cannot afford or the fresh fruit they have been wanting but is not available at this time of year. Ask the students to stand and mingle with classmates and list two items from 3 people in the class that they wish they had but cannot afford or get at this time. (While they are doing this remove your chairs.)

Keep everyone standing and inform them of the game they are going to play(see rules above) you can play music or simply tell everyone to have a seat. Those that have a seat are the economic winners and those that do not have experienced scarcity. You can now tell the students how difficult it will be to stand the entire period as those that do not have the economic means cannot buy the things they want.

Maritta Gotz
Churchland High School
Portsmouth VA