system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Any economics teachers here?

I'm a high school social studies teacher who only recently started teaching economics.  My students are considered high-risk, and don't always do well with the theoretical and conceptual parts of economics.  My question is simple: How do you make economics relevant and applicable to this population?  Any and all suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated!
gpt
You can make the class almost entirely experiment driven.  Take a look at the textbook by Bergstrom (not the principles text with Frank, but on teaching experiments).  Virtually every concept can be done through a classroom game, like the double oral auction.  The journal of economic education also has a number of experiments.  Just google around.  For example, with younger classes, the diminishing returns experiment has students make 'widgets' out of paper, scissors and a stapler.  After about three participants, returns diminish.  

Try to steer clear of those awful tables, like the textbook treatment of cost curves.  In fact, steer clear of 'consumer choice' and 'production' chapters.  Though central to intermediate and higher, it provides little intuition and understanding for intro. Focus simply on marginal cost and marginal value. 

If you can get them engaged, try Frank's "economic naturalist" assignment. 

Sorry, no links.  But should pop up on google.  PM me if you need help.