The curriculum generally includes fundamental economic concepts like scarcity and opportunity cost, supply and demand curves, consumer and producer behavior, different market structures (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly), macroeconomic indicators like GDP and unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy, and international trade. The specific topics may vary by school district, so it's helpful to align tutoring with your student's class syllabus and upcoming assessments.

Many students struggle with abstract economic concepts like elasticity, opportunity cost, and how supply and demand interact graphically. Translating real-world scenarios into economic models, understanding the difference between correlation and causation in economic data, and applying multiple perspectives to policy questions are also frequent pain points. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps break down these concepts into digestible pieces and connect them to relatable examples.

In an initial session, a tutor will typically assess your student's current understanding of economic fundamentals, identify specific areas of confusion, and learn about upcoming tests or assignments. This diagnostic approach helps create a personalized study plan focused on your student's actual needs rather than generic review. You'll also discuss learning style, pacing preferences, and goals—whether that's improving test scores, deepening conceptual understanding, or building confidence in class participation.

Economic graphs—like supply and demand curves, production possibility frontiers, and Phillips curves—are central to the course and often intimidate students. Tutors can teach students how to systematically read graphs (identifying axes, interpreting shifts vs. movements along curves, and understanding equilibrium), practice translating written scenarios into visual models, and work backward from graphs to explain economic reasoning. Repeated, guided practice with varied examples builds fluency and confidence.

Effective tutors anchor abstract concepts in tangible local examples—like how inflation affects grocery prices, how Omaha's job market reflects labor supply and demand, or how local businesses operate within different market structures. These connections make economics feel relevant and memorable, helping students move beyond memorization to genuine understanding. This approach also strengthens their ability to apply concepts to novel scenarios on assessments.

Key strategies include carefully reading questions to identify what's being asked (concept, application, or analysis), managing time by tackling familiar questions first, and using process of elimination on multiple choice items. For free-response or essay questions, tutors help students structure answers with clear economic reasoning and supporting evidence. Practice tests under timed conditions, followed by review of mistakes, build both speed and accuracy while identifying weak concept areas that need more study.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have demonstrated knowledge of economics and experience working with middle school students. The matching process considers your student's learning style, specific challenges, and schedule. You can discuss your student's needs during the initial consultation, and if the match isn't quite right, you can connect with a different tutor to find the best fit for your family.