8/14/2019: For New Kidney Plan, Cheers and Calls to Do More - Space Economics

Today's Article: For New Kidney Plan, Cheers and Calls to Do More
From: US News and World Report
Readability Score: 12.8

Kidney failure causes a great deal of pain and suffering. Dialysis can be very expensive, but kidney donors are hard to find. The president signed an executive order increasing compensation/reimbursement for those who donate a kidney. Good idea, or executive overreach? Read and decide for yourself!

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https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: Space Economics
Readability Score: 7.3

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2/27/2019: Jussie Smollett Saga: How a Possible Hoax Only Deepens the Political Divide - econlife: The Case of the Missing Chips

Today's Article: Jussie Smollett Saga: How a Possible Hoax Only Deepens the Political Divide
From: Variety
Readability Score: 10.3

A well-known black, gay actor claims he was the victim of a 'hate crime' by people wearing "Make America Great Again" hats. Police investigate and discover that he's lying. Now he's been indicted for a false report. What are the ramifications of a case like this? What role does the press need to play in such a case? How can we avoid being fooled?

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https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: The Case of the Missing Chips
Readability Score: 5.6

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2/20/2019: Amazon will pay $0 in federal income tax for the second year in a row - econlife: Why Songs are Shorter

Today's Article: Amazon will pay $0 in federal income tax for the second year in a row
From: The Week
Readability Score: 13.2

It's tax season, and millions of Americans are working through their tax returns. Some companies, despite huge profits, manage to find loopholes to avoid paying taxes. How does this happen? Is it a problem? What can we do about it?

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https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: Why Songs are Shorter
Readability Score: 6.2

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2/13/2019: TV cereal ads increase young kids' risk of obesity, cancer: study - econlife: A Sweetheart Shortage

Today's Article: TV cereal ads increase young kids' risk of obesity, cancer: study
From: Health Day News
Readability Score: 13.3

A recent study confirms what parents have long understood-- TV advertising can be effective in shaping children's desires. This study showed that kids exposed to TV cereal ads became in general fatter and less healthy. How should we respond to such information?

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https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: A Sweetheart Shortage
Readability Score: 6.5

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2/6/2019: Return of the Milkman? Big Brand Reusable in trials - econlife: Social Media's Hidden Costs

Today's Article: Return of the Milkman? Big Brand Reusable in trials.
From: AP News
Readability Score: 12.3

As we continue to produce more and more garbage, one company thinks it has a partial solution. Would you reuse shampoo containers? Detergent? This company will even recycle dirty diapers! Find out more about an effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle in today's current event.

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https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: Social Media's Hidden Costs
Readability Score: 9.5

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1/23/2019: Judge Orders Trump Administration to Remove 2020 Census Question - econlife: Sweden's Carbon Tax

Today's Article: Judge Orders Trump Administration to Remove 2020 Census Question
From: National Public Radio (NPR.org)
Readability Score: 12.7

The Trump Administration wants to learn how many people living in the U.S. are (or are not) citizens. Now a federal judge has blocked that question from the 2020 census citing 'legal defects.' Is this a fair question for the census?

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https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: Sweden's Carbon Tax
Readability Score: 8.2

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1/16/2019: America has a cheese problem - econlife: Billboard’s Superstars

Today's Article: America has a cheese problem
From: FOX Business
Readability Score: 12.0

Changing tastes have led to a massive surplus of stored cheese-- more than 3 pounds for every American. What should we do with all that cheese? How might the market respond?

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https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: Billboard’s Superstars
Readability Score: 7.0

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Celebrating 50 econlife Lessons!

On October 24, 2018, izzit.org celebrates the 50th econlife current events article shared through our daily current events program.  Teacher and author Elaine Schwartz frames economics in a manner that middle and high school students can relate to as a means of encouraging them to think about economics in their daily lives.  izzit.org is proud to partner with Elaine to bring this valuable resource to our teachers & their students.

Articles from econlife began appearing on in izzit.org’s daily current events program in the fall of 2017.  Articles included such topics as why mac and cheese prices vary, how the market prices Taylor Swift tickets, an honor system in place for the sale of eggs, and a mysterious toilet paper shortage in Taiwan.  Links to econlife’s website and social medial are included, as well, so students and teachers may review additional content beyond the one article and activity provided each week.

Elaine Schwartz brings her vast knowledge of economics to students by employing a writing style that aligns with middle and high school student’s daily lives to connect ordinary events and items to market dynamics.  The writing level is typically around a 7.5 on the Readability Scale, with a range between 6 and 9.  The articles are rich in graphics, including tables, charts, and graphs that lend themselves to subject areas like science, humanities, critical thinking, and math.

Discussion questions and activities accompany each article, so teachers can plan an entire period around an article and activity or incorporate articles into other lessons.  With 50 articles to date, teachers can use a current article, search our archive of articles, and/or jump to econlife’s website to view other articles (although only izzit.org has articles and activities). 

We hope you’ve enjoyed econlife thus far and ask that you continue to use current events – ours and econlife’s – as part of your lesson plans.  We look forward to another 50 articles and more from econlife.

Want econlife every day? Subscribe to their email! Follow them on Twitter or Facebook.  

Ideal for the classroom, econlife.com reflects Elaine Schwartz’s work as a teacher and a writer. As a teacher at the Kent Place School in Summit, NJ, she’s been an Endowed Chair in Economics and chaired the history department. She’s developed curricula, was a featured teacher in the Annenberg/CPB video project “The Economics Classroom,” and has written several books including Econ 101 ½ (Avon Books/Harper Collins). You can get econlife on a daily basis! Head to econlife.

10/17/2018: Seattle program that gives drug users a pass instead of prison spreading across U.S. - Everyday Behavioral Economics

Today's Article: Seattle program that gives drug users a pass instead of prison spreading across U.S.
From: FOX News
Readability Score: 10.1

In Seattle, people caught with less than a gram of drugs, even heroin, may get treatment or help instead of jail. What's driving this new program? Is it a good idea? How can we reduce drug use and crime?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: Everyday Behavioral Economics
Readability Score: 7.1

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9/19/2018: Former Inmates Finding Work - Econlife: Designing a New Package

Today's Article: Former Inmates Finding Work
From: The Herald & Review
Readability Score: 11.4

People with criminal records often have a hard time getting work. In Illinois, that may be changing. Is this a good move for society? What are the risks and benefits?

Click here to view the entire article and classroom discussion questions:
https://www.izzit.org/events/index.php

Today's Alternate Article: econlife: Designing a New Package
Readability Score: 8.5

Have you heard? We’re running a contest to kick off the school year! Educators and parents can enter our Yeti Cooler Contest. Click here: Yeti Cooler Contestand login you’ll receive an entry. Ends September 30th.

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