Recent studies have revealed an appalling lack of knowledge on the part of our nation's youth about government and economics and the important relationship between the two. This guide offers the teacher of grades 7, 8, and 9 ideas on how to teach economics. Teaching units of any length as well as daily lesson plans can be constructed from the guide's suggested class activities, most of which are from the Calvin K. Kazanjian Foundation's Awards Program for the Teaching of Economics. The unit's major goal is to help students understand the vital role that government at all levels plays in the economy, how their various governmental units function, and what economic principles apply in important issues. Teaching strategies suggested include use of audiovisuals, questioning techniques, classroom discussion, community studies, field studies, field trips, simulations, and games. The guide contains the following: (1) 10 initiatory activities with which to arouse pupil interests, (2) 40 developmental activities to be used to develop the ideas introduced during the initiatory phase, (3) five culminating activities with which to conclude the unit, (4) evaluation techniques, and (5) a bibliography of print and nonprint student resource and reference materials. (Author/RM)