Minimum Wage: A Minnesota Case Study

Comprehensive Lesson Package for Grades 9-12

Bring current economic research into your classroom with this full lesson set exploring the history, purpose, and real-world impact of the minimum wage - featuring a localized case study of Minneapolis–St. Paul’s $15 minimum wage policy.

What’s Included 

• • Complete Lesson Plan - Covers price floors, supply & demand, and Minnesota’s minimum wage debate.

  • Class Slides – Ready-to-use presentations for direct instruction and discussion.

  • Classroom Activity – Minimum Wage in Action: A Labor Market Simulation where students role-play employers and employees to see market effects of a binding minimum wage.

  • Research & Case Study Materials – Recent findings on Twin Cities labor markets, highlighting employment impacts in the restaurant industry.

  • Podcast & Media Links – Twin Cities Labor Market podcast and curated videos for student assignments or enrichment.

  • Assessments & Assignments – Three adaptable assessments, including podcast analysis, local job-market research, and city-to-city comparisons (e.g., Minneapolis vs. Seattle).

  • Educator Support Resources – Extensive instructor notes explain price floors, labor markets, and historical context; links to key articles and research (e.g., Neumark’s Myth or Measurement, NBER working papers, and other curricular resources) deepen teacher knowledge; anti-bias and accessibility guidelines help ensure inclusive instruction.