N.C. Wyeth’s Pilgrims
This book uses N.C. Wyeth’s paintings to tell the familiar story of the Pilgrim adventures, and how they used the limited resources available to them to satisfy their economic wants. They worked, earned money, and saved until they could buy ships. They also bartered with the London Company for their supplies and passage with the promise of shipping fur, fish and lumber over a period of 7 years. Once in the colony, they produced most of their food, shelter, clothing and other things they wanted. They produced lumber, salt fish, and corn and bartered with England for the other things they wanted..
Economic Concepts
- Natural Resource
- Human Resource
- Capital Resources
- Wants
- Scarcity
- Choices
- Opportunity Cost
- Barter
Grade Levels
- Intermediate (4-6)
Related Subjects
- U.S. History
- Geography
- Art
Teacher Tips for Using this Book
Lesson 2, The Pilgrims: Surviving in the New World,
From Adventures in Economic and U.S. History, Volume 1
Through a simulation students arrive in the colonies without adequate resources and are forced to decide how to produce the food, shelter, and clothing needed for survival using the resources available in that region.
Lesson 1, Exploring Economics: Then and Now,
From Adventures in Economic and U.S. History, Volume 1
Through brainstorming and guided discussion, students discover that the fundamental economic problem is scarcity: resources are limited while wants are unlimited. They have a hands-on experience with opportunity cost. Then by exploring this book about the life of the Pilgrims, they learn that this was true for people in the past as well.