Bankruptcy Teacher Resources

Some banks escaped certain disaster with a bailout by the government. But, what about the rest? Sal explains the intricacies and dynamics of a bailout down to the details on a balance sheet. He also provides a thorough definition of...

Continuing from the last clip on liquidation, scholars explore another bankruptcy avenue: restructuring. Sal briefly touches on covenants with debt holders and goes into reasons a company would refrain from liquidating when facing...

In the first of two videos on bankruptcy, Sal explains the liquidation process and its effects on investors. He reviews ways a company raises capital and presents a hypothetical issue: a company goes bankrupt and doesn't have the assets...

What's the difference between stocks and bonds? Sal illustrates this concept through explaining the two ways a company can raise capital: debt or equity. Drawing out a balance sheet, he categorizes stocks as equity and bonds as debt,...

Bestow background in big business bailouts on your scholars with this political cartoon analysis handout. Two cartoons focus on the General Motors bankruptcy, and its effect on American taxpayers. Background information gives context for...

Chronicling the "first wave" of the financial crisis with a short review, Sal goes on to explain how bad choices and unfortunate moves by several banks can lead to total disruption of a financial system. Sprinkling real-world examples...

Introducing the circumstance surrounding the 2008 bailout and financial crisis, Sal uses a simplified analogy to help students to see the heart of the matter. He covers the importance of credit and credit scores, as well as what happens...

What are some of the financial risks associated with using credit? Pupils learn the warning signs of incurring financial hardship, and through PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, and discussion, discover the implications of such events...

Should college loan debt be easier to discharge in bankruptcy? Scholars sort through the top three pros and cons to decide for themselves in preparation for a class debate or discussion. Learners may also participate in an online poll to...

The History Channel's "Pub Historian" gives you the quick facts on the French Revolution. Dates, historical figures, and causes are all named. Watch this for a quick overview of key events!

In this credit worksheet, students calculate the value of 4 different loans before completing a table about credit card offers advertised in newspapers, magazine, or junk mail.

Young scholars explore the concept of credit. In this credit instructional activity, students read an article about credit debt and financial trouble. Young scholars discuss ways to avoid financial trouble. Students make a cause and...

Brian was devastated when Hostess® filed for bankruptcy, and he was also fearful that his favorite snack treat would be lost forever. The snack food was in danger of being lost, your class won't be lost when using Twinkies® as the...

Students participate in a game in which one group acts as the company and the other group acts as the employees. They examine what happens when the company files for bankruptcy. They discover labor strategies as well.

How important is a credit score, anyway? Scholars view a PowerPoint and take notes about credit scores. Next, they write essays explaining their plans for achieving a good credit score.

Students investigate consumer credit and how it works. They also examine basic types of credit, risks and responsibilities associated with credit, ways to establish and maintain good credit, ways to avoid hurting ones credit and what one...

In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about healthcare issues during the Clinton administration and respond to 3 talking point questions.

Departing from his trademark theoretical balance sheets, Sal guides the viewer through a real-life "outlandish" transaction between Merrill Lynch and Lone Star Funds. Budding economists can exercise their growing economic skills by...

Sal continues his argument for "the Plutzy Plan" (named after his friend who initially poses the idea). He outlines both theoretical and practical implementation ideas to restore the financial system. His theories will invigorate your...

Differentiating between a $700 billion "blank check" and the acquisition of assets, this video explores the idea that the CDOs purchased by the government could be worth nothing. Sal takes students through the mathematical and economic...

The saga of Sal's fictional bank - as it relates to the very real-world banking world today - continues in this video, which covers ways to account for an asset (mark-to-model vs. mark-to market). Sal does not hide his opinion here,...

Your class has been exposed to the effects and ramifications of the recent financial crisis. In this video, Sal helps to clarify the terms and procedures of what has been happening. He uses a fictional balance sheet to illustrate the...

Using several balance sheets, Sal illustrates the connectivity of banks and how one bank failure can affect many. Again, he uses the example of Lehman Brothers as the "catalyst for this chain of events" to explain how one bankrupt bank...

Ripe for discussion in your economics and government classes, this video features Sal's idea for a best possible solution to the financial crisis. He first details the situation and what the plan would entail; he then takes viewers...