Council for Economic Education
Fall of Rome
What led to the fall of Rome? Scholars have debated the question since the end of the great empire. Young historians consider the same question through an economic lens using an engaging lesson that involves a hands-on evaluation of the...
Curated OER
Churches and Taxes
Churches have been tax-exempt since the founding of America, but should they be? Pupils ponder the question as they browse the website in preparation for a class debate or discussion. They research the history of tax-exemption for...
Curated OER
Module 13-Electronic Tax Return Preparation and Transmission
Students explain the electronic preparation and transmission of tax returns. They describe the ways to prepare and transmit tax returns and explain the benefits of electronic tax return preparation and transmission.
Federal Reserve Bank
Income Taxes
Most adults dread April 15 — tax day! Tax preparation can be intimidating even for adults. Build confidence by leading individuals through the process and then give them a scenario to practice. The exercise uses tax vocabulary to give...
The New York Times
Understanding the Mathematics of the Fiscal Cliff
What exactly is the fiscal cliff? What are the effects of changing income tax rates and payroll tax rates? Your learners will begin by reading news articles and examining graphs illustrating the "Bush tax cuts" of 2001 and 2003. They...
Curated OER
Public Choice Theory and The Economics of Taxation
Let your students know how our economy works, what taxation is, and how Public Choice Theory affects the economics of taxation. This is a comprehensive and well defined presentation that includes links to additional information provided...
Curated OER
Taxes in U.S. History: The Social Security Act of 1935
Learners explain the history of the Social Security Act and the FICA tax. They describe what Social Security is and whom it is intended to help. They explain the purpose of the FICA tax.
Curated OER
Taxes in U.S. History: Tax Reform in the 1960s and 1980s
Students explain the content, purpose, and impact of the Tax Reform Acts of 1969 and 1986.
Curated OER
Powers of Congress
Have your class fill out this comprehension sheet while reading about the powers of Congress. There are ten multiple choice questions focused on the rights, powers, and limitations of Congressional law.
Curated OER
Taxes
Fourth graders read Stone Fax and explore earning money, saving, credit and taxes. In this taxes lesson, 4th graders complete a worksheet to develop understanding of paying off debts, keeping a checkbook, calculating sales tax and...
Curated OER
How Taxing are Taxes?
Young scholars explore the ways that taxes are levied based on taxable income. They analyze how a new series of tax cuts might affect people of different income levels and their tax rates.
Curated OER
Fairness in Taxes
Students identify and describe two criterion of tax fairness: benefits received and the ability to pay and distinguish between wealth and income as measures of ability to pay.
Curated OER
Taxes
Fourth graders explore the concept of taxes and gather relevant information to become a tax 'expert. In this taxes lesson plan, 4th graders work in teams to find information regarding different areas in taxes. Students work together to...
Curated OER
Federalism and the Division of Power
Test your U.S. history class on what they know about Federalism and the division of power. There are 5 matching and 5 multiple choice questions to solve. Questions relate to the American federal system, US Constitution, national...
Curated OER
Government Goods and Services
Fifth graders investigate the connection between taxes and government services. In this economics lesson, 5th graders discuss the process and benefits of paying sales and income taxes. Using calculators, students compute the...
Curated OER
Your Role as a Taxpayer: Why Pay Taxes?
Students evaluate the basic rationale, nature, and consequences fo taxes. They describe why governments need taxes as revenue to provide goods and servicesin this series of activities.
Council for Economic Education
New Sense, Inc. vs. Fish 'Till U Drop or Coase Vs. Pigou
Who is responsible for protecting the environment, and who should pay when it is damaged? The role of government and private industry is complicated. A role-play simulation prompts individuals to decide how to protect a fictitious town...
Curated OER
Module 12-Self-Employment Income and the Self-Employment Tax
Students explain self-employment income and the self-employment tax. They distinguish between an employee and an independent contractor and explain how to compute and report self-employment profit.
Curated OER
The Formation of Fossil Fuels
Middle schoolers participate in an activity in which they explain the difference between renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy. They discover why the supply of fossil fuels is limited and practice using new vocabulary.
Beyond Benign
Truckin’ to Your Table
Food takes a trip to the table. Class members choose a meal from a menu and calculate the total cost of the meal including tax and tip. Using a food origin card, pupils determine how far each of the ingredients of a meal traveled to end...
Council for Economic Education
You Can BANK on This! (Part 2)
This is part two in a four-part instructional activity on banking and personal finance. In this instructional activity, learners analyze whether or not they have made a good purchase, then discuss how to make an informed decision about a...
Curated OER
Taxes: Where Does Your Money Go?
Students study taxes and the role that they place in our lives. In this economic activity, students explore the reality of taxes, how they work, why we pay them, where the money goes and how to make the most of the money you pay into...
Federal Reserve Bank
U.S. Income Inequality: It's Not So Bad
What is the difference between a flat tax, progressive tax, tax deduction and transfer payments? Pupils examine the ability-to-pay principle of taxation through discussion, problem solving, and a variety of worksheets on topics from US...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence (1776)
For this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the Declaration of Independence.