iCivics
I Civics: Government Spending
This activity focuses on a variety of topics related to government spending, including the federal budget, mandatory versus discretionary spending, and government debt.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Government Spending: Why Do We Spend the Way We Do?
This lesson plan reviews how the government spends money. It shows how the government's needs have changed over the years. To learn more about this area of economics use this informative website.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Ch.16: Government Budgets and Fiscal Policy: Government Spending
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following: Identify U.S. budget deficit and surplus trends over the past five decades and Explain the differences between the U.S. federal budget, and state and local budgets.
Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: Government Spending Charity Begins at Home
The U.S. government created a program that funds job training and placement of Americans who are blind or severely disabled. Through this activity, students will research the program to establish their own opinions as to whether the...
Other
Metrocosm: The History of u.s. Government Spending, Revenue, and Debt
The amount of national debt is a hot button issue today. Compare our current national budget to years past to see when our country was in our deepest debt. By analyzing the following charts, students will see the evolution of U.S....
Indiana University
The Center on Congress: E Learning Module: Federal Budget Allocation
Interactive learning activity teaches how Congress allocates funds in the federal budget for programs such as Homeland Security, Defense, and Education.
US Senate
Trends in Congressional Appropriations [Pdf]
Provides numerous graphs accompanied by explanations of the government spending since the 1960s. Focuses on the restraint of the 1990s but shows the steady growth in the last forty years. Link to .pdf file. Requires Adobe Reader.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Federal Budget
Overview on the complexities of the federal budgeting process and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Ch. 16: Government Budgets: Key Concepts and Summary
This section provides a summary of the key concepts presented in Chapter 16: Government Budgets and Fiscal Policy from the Texas Gateway AP Macroeconomics online textbook.
Other
North Carolina History Project: Federal Emergency Relief Administration
Explanation and critique of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), an income support program instituted by Franklin's New Deal, with respect to its impact on North Carolinians.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: What Do You Get for Your $1,818,600,000,000?
Using MS Excel and data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis web site on federal government spending, students will compare the amounts spent on various sectors and programs over a range of years.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Shifts in Aggregate Demand
Aggregate demand is made up of four components: consumption spending, investment spending, government spending, and spending on exports minus imports. Increasing or decreasing any of these components create shifts the AD curve.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Ch.16: Introduction to Government Budgets and Old Address
In this chapter, you will learn about the following: Government spending; Taxation; Federal deficits and national debt; Using fiscal policy to fight recessions, unemployment, and inflation; Automatic stabilizers; Practical problems with...
Other
The Texas Economy: Texas School Funding at a Glance
See the breakdown of Texas public school revenues including local, state, and federal monies. Totals for these revenue sources include state spending not reported by school districts, such as state purchases of textbooks.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Where Does the Money Come From?
With very few exceptions, the U.S. federal government does not have an "income" to spend providing goods and services. The money used for federal spending programs must be collected as federal taxes, or it must be borrowed. This lesson...
C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Teaching About Balanced Budget Amendment
Learning resource using C-SPAN videos and related articles from which students learn what a balanced budget amendment is and whether it's a good idea for the country or not. Students join the debate by participating in a deliberation in...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Where Did All the Money Go? The Great Depression Mystery
Use this lesson plan to have students investigate how the American economy went from boom to bust in the 1920s. Find the resources needed for the lesson as well as important discussion questions for individual and class consideration.
BBC
Bbc Newsround: Us Agrees Deal to End Partial Shutdown
Brief article reports on the deal made in Congress to end the partial government shutdown.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: The Role of Gov. National Debt v. Deficit
Using the website federalbudget.com, students research information about the federal budget. Includes questions and links to other budget websites.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Presidency of Ronald Reagan
This site provides an extensive history of Reagan's administration including information on his presidential campaign, domestic policies, foreign policies, and domestic and international events of his presidency.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Economics Usa: Control the u.s. Debt!
Learn about the different types of expenses that the U.S. budget must pay for and try your hand at balancing the federal budget.
Other
Fas Texas: Public Education Funding in Texas
A nice overview with fast facts about Texas Public Education funding complete with graphs and bulleted explanations.
US Senate
Joint Economic Committee
The Joint Economic Committee, composed of memebers from both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, reviews economic conditions and recommends improvements in economic policy. The content of the website includes...