Capitalism & Free Market Myths Reader's Theater Script | ECON 101.5 Series

Capitalism & Free Market Myths is a 12-scene readers’ theater script set in a modern-day high school classroom, where students debate capitalism’s true nature. Led by Mr. Patel (mainstream-leaning) and Ms. Kim (Austrian-leaning), four students—Maya, Ethan, Zoe, and Ryan—tackle healthcare costs, Walmart’s wages, and socialism’s flops. From sparking debates in Scene 1 to choosing markets over myths in Scene 12, they uncover cronyism’s role over pure trade. With 10 speaking roles (6 in this version, expandable with historical figures), it suits grades 9-12 and offers flexible casting.

The worksheet deepens learning:

• Short-Answer: Test basics like “Why does Ryan hate Walmart subsidies?” with quotes.
• Long-Format: Connect concepts to life, like “How might Ms. Kim shape your rent cap view?”
• Economic Concept: Deepen analysis with research, like “Find U.S. GDP 1950-2000 for market proof.”
• Themes and Discussion: Spark talks on freedom vs. control, like “What’s your job choice trade-off?”
• Application Focus: Students cite evidence and link to today’s policies, from healthcare to jobs.

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What's included?

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

1) Teacher's Guide & Answer Key

• Standards Alignment (CCSS Grades 9~12, CCRA)
• Teacher Tips
• Answer Keys for all worksheet sections
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Format: Google Doc (7 pages)

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~6 Characters, 4000 words
• Format: Google Doc (9 pages)

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Questions
• 5 Economic Concept Research & Extension Questions
• Format: Google Slides (22 Slides)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about 50~60 minutes
• Depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.

Script Summary:

• Scene 1: The Capitalism Puzzle – What’s Really Going On? Mr. Patel and Ms. Kim kick off a debate on capitalism myths, with Maya questioning healthcare costs, framing personal stakes.
• Scene 2: Free Markets 101 – What They Should Be Teachers explain free markets as voluntary trade, while Ryan challenges Walmart’s low pay, highlighting distortions.
• Scene 3: Cronyism Creeps In – Walmart’s Secret Edge Ryan’s brother’s job reveals government subsidies propping up Walmart, showing cronyism’s role over markets.
• Scene 4: Healthcare Headaches – Not a Market Failure Maya’s mom’s hospital bill sparks a look at regulations, not capitalism, driving costs, deepening the debate.
• Scene 5: The Elite’s Complaint – Vulgarity Over Virtue Elites dislike markets rewarding “vulgar” choices like Ryan’s metal, exposing cultural tensions.
• Scene 6: Socialism’s Scorecard – Excuses vs. Evidence Zoe’s socialism hopes fade as Cuba and Venezuela flop, proving markets’ edge historically.
• Scene 7: The Power Play – Who Should Run Things? Elites’ control obsession clashes with markets’ freedom, as Ethan defends trade over planning.
• Scene 8: Family Values Fallacy – Tribes vs. Trade Zoe’s commune dreams unravel, showing markets’ cold efficiency beats socialism’s warmth.
• Scene 9: Housing and Health – Capitalism or Government? Housing and healthcare costs spike from rules, not markets, tying Ryan’s rent to cronyism.
• Scene 10: Competence Over Merit – What Wins? Maya rethinks college as competence, not merit, drives market success, challenging elite ideals.
• Scene 11: Fixing the Mess – Less Government, More Market? Cutting rules could fix costs, with Ethan betting on freedom over Zoe’s lingering doubts.
• Scene 12: Your Call – Myths or Markets? Students pick sides, with Maya choosing freedom and Ryan demanding real pay, urging reflection.

Will this meet your classroom's needs?

Try this FREE Globalization & Tariffs script from the ECON 101.5 series first :)