Description: This simple trading activity demonstrates a key economic idea: Voluntary trade can make both the buyer and seller better off. Students first receive a piece of candy randomly. They then have the opportunity to trade that candy first with “elbow partners” (their borders) and then the whole class (globally). After each trade, satisfaction points are tallied. The video shows a presentation with the same trading activity, but on a larger scale, and explains that trade is not a zero-sum game.
Click HERE to access the lesson plan page from the St. Louis Fed
Click HERE to download a copy of the lesson (PDF)