The Mathematics of Economic Justice: Wealth Distribution in U.S.

This activity will make your students freak out. It is about how the wealth of the United States is distributed between the quintiles (wealthiest 20%, next wealthiest 20%, middle 20%, lower middle 20% and poorest 20%.) Students will start by distributing 100 beans, each representing 1% of the $5.2 trillion in wealth of the United States, among each group. They will then come up with their own plan to more fairly distribute the wealth. Then, using a set of 5 clues, they will learn how the economic wealth of the U.S. is actually distributed. They will then compare and contrast the different findings and hopefully, get very angry. They will devise their own plan to make the U.S. a more economically just country.

Warning: This activity will definitely make your students angry.

If you like this, check out this: It's a Deal!: 10 Different Percent Activities on Economics & Politics