Econ news

Hi folks,

1.       Time to travel to Europe!

S&P Downgrades Spain

Standard & Poor's downgraded Spain's long-term credit-rating just one day after roiling global markets with downgrades for both Greece and Portugal. The move hit stocks and sent the euro to one-year lows.

2.       Home prices are up from a year ago, but down from last month! So what do you make of that?

Home Prices Remain Under Pressure

U.S. home prices fell for the fifth straight month in February amid pressure from foreclosures and high inventories, but prices rose from a year ago.

3. In a similar contradictory vein,

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose in April, but the University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment remains weak.

4.       From the (national) Council for Economic Education, a very thorough discussion of the labor market.

You'll find the new lesson titled, "Focus on Economic Data: U.S. Employment and the Unemployment Rate, April 2, 2010," at:

http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.php?lesson=906&page=teacher&utm_source=newLessons&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lessons20100428

This lesson examines the April 2, 2010, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, announcement of employment data and the unemployment rate for the month of March, 2010. This lesson introduces the basic concepts of the BLS employment and unemployment data. The meaning and importance of the data are discussed. Assessment exercises are included for reinforcing knowledge of the concepts.

Grade Level: 9-12

Key Economic Concepts: Business Cycles, Labor Force, Macroeconomic Indicators, Unemployment, Unemployment Rate

As always, you'll find even more free lessons at http://www.econedlink.org/. Thank you for making 'EconEdLink.org' a part of your classroom.

--

John LeFeber

EconEdLink.org Project Manager

Council for Economic Education

jlefeber@councilforeconed.org

402.438.6921

PS: Please try this lesson today, and share it with your fellow teachers tomorrow.

PPS: If you like this online lesson, you might want to check out a related resource, Virtual Economics, and preview the CD at http://store.councilforeconed.org/virtualeconomics.html

Please update your profile information so you only receive information about lessons that match your grade level. http://www.econedlink.org/updateInfo.php?Email=rcharkin@csusb.edu

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